Ordered it!

[abqlloyd]

Hooked up the solar panel for a test run today.

[abqlloyd]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1409940951.867307.jpg (103.77 KiB) Viewed 2213 times

Planning on one panel, flat on roof. Possible tilt bracket in future.

At 12:00pm today, in partly cloudy skies, I pulled over 16 amps through a 30amp MPPT.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1409940836.309610.jpg (127.98 KiB) Viewed 2213 times

[abqlloyd]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1409941002.922020.jpg (111.39 KiB) Viewed 2212 times

South sky view.

[abqlloyd]

System is 12V. Two AGM 100amp/hour batteries in parallel. It will run the ARB indefinitely based on my calcs.

I might add another 50watt panel hooked to a separate AGM (small). I built a small tracker system last year for fun and am amazed at how much additional amperage I collected with tilted panels tracking the sun. The 50w panel is a small square and lays flat until the actuators are turned on. The panel tilts and automatically tracks the sun.

[abqlloyd]

It would be great to have a portable system that could be extended away from the rig that was light but could still generate decent power. When we hit the mountains we like to camp in the trees and shade.

[lrrowe]

[abqlloyd]

I picked up even more power this afternoon, which seemed odd considering it seemed cloudier.

[abqlloyd]

Anyone have thoughts on THHN vs strand wire for DC circuits? I have lots of older THHN 10g and can't imagine why it would be a problem based on all the charts. I did read one post advising against THHN for DC at all costs.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Anyone have thoughts on THHN vs strand wire for DC circuits? I have lots of older THHN 10g and can't imagine why it would be a problem based on all the charts. I did read one post advising against THHN for DC at all costs.

Don't worry toooooo much about some of these people over here, I have had 800 amp hours of flooded
Batteries inside my trailer for 3 years - with 2000 watts in Solar

And according to the crew you can blow yourself up with a 100 ah battery on a 100 watt panel with pmw charge controller.

If you don't overload the wire, install proper fuses - you can go with zip coard


http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/


P.S. it's best not to use solid wire on a boat ......
But on boats you have 1000 more vibration vs your CT
You take out 4 x per year.
Cheers OTTCT

[abqlloyd]

Received my water tank, water pump, Blue Sea panel, solar mounts, battery box, water inlet, assorted LED lighting, switches, and other stuff. Amazon sure makes it easy.

[aggie79]

Received my water tank, water pump, Blue Sea panel, solar mounts, battery box, water inlet, assorted LED lighting, switches, and other stuff. Amazon sure makes it easy.

Amazon does make things easy. During my teardrop build, the UPS truck came to the house so often some of my neighbors thought my wife was having an affair.

[lrrowe]

When you find what you want on eBay, I guess you better jump on it right away. I found two egress, insulated slider 48" windows with trim and screens. When I went to compete the order, one was sold and I ended up with only one. But maybe that is just as well.

With just the one to start with, I can see how I like the size and adjust my preference for the second one. With a fantastic fan and one window to install, I am sure I will have time for the second one to arrive. And this is where blue painter's tape comes into play as I do " what ifs" with the layout.

[CGRotorhead]

Sub'd for what sounds like is going to turn into a pretty awesome build and pics too

[abqlloyd]

Anyone have thoughts on a CO detector? The standard big box models are technically not rated for RV use. Is there any real reason to pay the extra?

[lrrowe]

Are you saying that there are special ones of RV's?