Solar Show and Tell

[AirMiles]

Here is a graph and the raw data for my last 30 days of usage on my 400W solar system using the factory 10 gauge pre-wire with a series-parallel configuration. It has performed flawlessly in full sun, 1/2 shaded, rainy and cloudy conditions. There were a few cloudy/rainy days when 1/2 of my panels were in full tree-cover where the system never “floated”. Even on these non-float days the batttery voltage always returned to full voltage. I am very pleased with this performance because the system can produce many more Amps than I can use daily.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

Here is a graph and the raw data for my last 30 days of usage on my 400W solar system using the factory 10 gauge pre-wire with a series-parallel configuration. It has performed flawlessly in full sun, 1/2 shaded, rainy and cloudy conditions. There were a few cloudy/rainy days when 1/2 of my panels were in full tree-cover where the system never “floated”. Even on these non-float days the batttery voltage always returned to full voltage. I am very pleased with this performance because the system can produce many more Amps than I can use daily.

Hi

Gee ... wow ... you can put panels in series and the world does not end? The YouTube universe got it wrong? How unusual . Indeed, series panels *with* a good controller works just fine (as you have shown).

Days 4 and 27 have somewhat suspicious minimum voltage numbers. I very much doubt you ran your batteries to zero on those days

Bob

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Gee ... wow ... you can put panels in series and the world does not end? The YouTube universe got it wrong? How unusual . Indeed, series panels *with* a good controller works just fine (as you have shown).

Days 4 and 27 have somewhat suspicious minimum voltage numbers. I very much doubt you ran your batteries to zero on those days

Bob

Day 4 & 27 say basically zero minimum voltage because I turned off the solar controller for some reason on those days. On one of those days I had my Airstream in a shop to check the brakes so I turned off the solar.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

As long as it correlates with something you can identify ... no problem. If the days have no significance, it's time to check for wiring issues ....

Bob

[Fair_Enough]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

Today in Montrose CO I had the opportunity to help out a new Airstream owner with a Gopower portable solar panel. His batteries were so discharged that we first had to go buy new batteries. The only ones available locally were Walmart deep cycles. So we dropped those in and connected the portable solar power panel. I now have a happy camper next door to me with fully charged batteries. I guess every new Airstream owner needs to murder a pair of batteries before they figure out how to manage their batteries. I too murdered my first set of batteries. The portable unit quickly charged up his new batteries to float mode!

It is nice when we can help someone and doesn't it feel good. Thanks for doing that for him or her.

Switching gears, I'm sure on this string somewhere but can you give me a quick synopsis of your system?

Thanks,
WW

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by Wolfwhistle

It is nice when we can help someone and doesn't it feel good. Thanks for doing that for him or her.

Switching gears, I'm sure on this string somewhere but can you give me a quick synopsis of your system?

Thanks,
WW

Victron 100/30 SmartSolar controller with four Amsolar Sp100 100W panels wired in a series/parallel configuration using the factory 10 gauge pre-wire and Zamp rooftop box. Two Duracell EGC2 wet cell golfcart batteries with 230 AH. 6 gauge wire between controller and bus bars. Victron smart battery module using Bluetooth for temperature and voltage compensation. All self installed for approximately $2,200.

[GMFL]

Wattage out put from (2) 100watt renogy panels using factory 10ga wire.
I’ve gotten as much as 198watts.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Wattage out put from (2) 100watt renogy panels using factory 10ga wire.
I’ve gotten as much as 198watts.

Hi

... but if you had pulled 2/0 wire you could have made it to 204W ... don't you wish you had pulled new wire?

Bob

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

Here is a graph and the raw data for my last 30 days of usage on my 400W solar system using the factory 10 gauge pre-wire with a series-parallel configuration. It has performed flawlessly in full sun, 1/2 shaded, rainy and cloudy conditions. There were a few cloudy/rainy days when 1/2 of my panels were in full tree-cover where the system never “floated”. Even on these non-float days the battery voltage always returned to full voltage. I am very pleased with this performance because the system can produce many more Amps than I can use daily.

We just completed our 10-week cross-country summer trip with the 400W series/parallel solar installation using the factory pre-wire. We stayed at many campgrounds in North Carolina, Kentucky, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Many of these campgrounds had significant tree shade and most stays were between three and seven days. Each day we used our Airstream just like it was connected to shore power - using lights, taking showers, charging phones and laptops. We ran both fantastic fans all day/night long when it was hot and used the factory propane heater nearly every night set at 68 degrees (remember we're from Florida). We even watched NASCAR races each weekend on the TV using the 1000W inverter. The only situation where the batteries did not get fully recharged with solar was at one campground in western Wisconsin under a full canopy of maple trees. We stayed at that campground for four days and boost charged the batteries with the PD4655 Converter on the third day. (Maybe we didn't need to boost charge on that day either, but it was an opportunity to test boost charging the battery.)

Bottom line: Would we change anything on our solar/electrical system upgrade with the knowledge learned from this cross-country solar trip? The only change would be to skip replacing the stock battery charger with the PD4655. The PD4655 was installed so the battery could be quickly boost charged with a generator. We learned that boost charging the batteries is unnecessary as long as full canopy shaded campgrounds stays can be limited to a few days. Even on overcast days, the solar system sufficiently recharged our batteries so boost charging was not necessary. On this ten-week cross-country trip we learned that we can easily live in our solar-equipped Airstream without ever needing shore power or a generator.

[Wconley]

Fantastic feedback following your trip! Thanks.

[SilverHouseDreams]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

We learned that boost charging the batteries is unnecessary as long as full canopy shaded campgrounds stays can be limited to a few days. Even on overcast days, the solar system sufficiently recharged our batteries so boost charging was not necessary. On this ten-week cross-country trip we learned that we can easily live in our solar-equipped Airstream without ever needing shore power or a generator.

I’m sure that this is _very_ region specific. The places we camp are often full shade, and starting this week we can see weeks of overcast/rain with duration only increasing for the next few months in the PacNW west of the cascades. Come for a visit and you might be happy you have that PD4655, the good news is you won’t need energy for an A/C

[daleyocum]

Originally Posted by SilverHouseDreams

I’m sure that this is _very_ region specific. The places we camp are often full shade, and starting this week we can see weeks of overcast/rain with duration only increasing for the next few months in the PacNW west of the cascades. Come for a visit and you might be happy you have that PD4655, the good news is you won’t need energy for an A/C

Also very usage dependent. I have 500w of solar and 300ah of lithium battery but because we use the microwave, induction cooktop and TV most days plus camp in the shady PNW forests we were sometimes at the edge. The propane Honda 2000 was able to restore the battery in an hour or two but another couple of batteries would have been nice.

It’s good to know the series/parallel thing worked out. I know I was among the skeptics on that due to shade issues. Mine are all parallel running through 6ga wire.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

It also can be a bit trailer specific. There are different loads on different models. They may not *seem* like big differences, but an amp here or an amp there running 24 hours a day *does* add up.

If you have enough battery to run for a couple days (say 4 days) and your solar will charge them in a day .... driving down the road every 4 days or so will probably do the trick. Not a lot of shade on most interstate highways

Bob

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

It also can be a bit trailer specific. There are different loads on different models. They may not *seem* like big differences, but an amp here or an amp there running 24 hours a day *does* add up.

If you have enough battery to run for a couple days (say 4 days) and your solar will charge them in a day .... driving down the road every 4 days or so will probably do the trick. Not a lot of shade on most interstate highways

Bob

Bob is right about how nicely your batteries charge while driving down the road with roof mounted solar! Two hours on the road with that panoramic sky can produce 50AH of solar power from my 400W of solar in addition to the 20AH that gets through the umbilical cord. Come to think of it, driving down the road would charge my batteries faster than my PD4655 and generator! But I still need to carry my generator to run my air conditioner and microwave even though I do not need it for battery charging.

Another tidbit of information that might be of interest is the amount of propane I used on this trip. I used about one 20# exchange tank per week to run my refrigerator, water heater, heat, stove top, camp stove, gas grill, and generator for air conditioning and microwave use. Again, propane usage is very user specific and location specific if more A/C is needed. I figure the generator uses at least 1 pound of propane per hour of operation while the A/C is running.

[czunc]

I have the same rig as AirMiles ('17 25FB) and after 2 weeks in Yellowstone this fall, I want to install 500w of solar along with 300ah of lithium before we go back in May. This will be my winter project so I'm trying to get my parts together November. My goal is to be able to run our furnace all night and use the lights/water pump as normal. When its 25deg out and dark you begin to watch your battery monitor like a hawk. I've really appreciated this thread and I have learned A LOT about solar. These are the parts that I've come up with so far and I wanted to get everyone's opinions or suggestions.



5 Renogy 100w monocrystalline panels
3 100ah Battleborn batteries
Victron BMV 712 Battery Monitor
Victron 100/50 MPPT Solar charge controller
Progressive 60amp Lithium Converter ??? (not sure if i need this??)



Last question, would you use the factor prewire on the roof or run new cables through the fridge vent?

[Ray Eklund]

We spent a total of $120 plus tax for a 100watt Solar Panel with a Coleman 7amp Solar Charge Controller from Costco. Shipped to my door.

For Off the Grid Boondocking... I am 100% satisfied for Solar Show and Tell.

My Honda generator stays home.

I have two Interstate wet cell 12 volt batteries. They seem to be doing their job. Our job is to orientate the solar panel, when we at the trailer, or returning to camp.

It takes several milk crates and my shadow to direct the solar panel for maximum solar charging, if needed. Maybe lean against the solar panel onto the tow vehicle's tire.

Sometimes the trailer's hitch serves as a sheltered prop for the panel. When traveling, the panel is laid onto the rear bed.

Security is putting our last name in black magic marker in various spots on the solar panel.

If I need more Solar in the future, I will purchase another 100watt panel and controller that comes with it. Chances are very good I do not need another panel.

[AirMiles]

CZ,

Based on my experience, I would re-install my solar in exactly the same way again. 400W series-parallel using the factory Zamp rooftop box and 10 gauge pre-wire. Since this setup is capable of producing 30 Amps to the battery, I am confident that it could maintain your 300AH Lithium battery bank. My system floats for hours each day while charging my less-efficient 230AH wet-cell lead-acid battery bank. With 400W mounted on the corners of the 25' Airstream, you will have less shading issues than with 500W.

The Victron owners manual actually recommends using a series-parallel configuration with their controllers. The reason for this, I believe, is that the higher voltage of the series-parallel design begins charging at the crack of dawn and the controller efficiently turns the extra volts into amps.

Give it a try, like I did, to see if it works. You will save some money if it works and you would only waste a few feet of 10-2 wire if you decide to later reconfigure it into a 500W parallel setup.

I'd sure like to see the results of this 400W solar design with 300AH of Lithium batteries.

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by czunc

I have the same rig as AirMiles ('17 25FB) and after 2 weeks in Yellowstone this fall, I want to install 500w of solar along with 300ah of lithium before we go back in May. This will be my winter project so I'm trying to get my parts together November. My goal is to be able to run our furnace all night and use the lights/water pump as normal. When its 25deg out and dark you begin to watch your battery monitor like a hawk. I've really appreciated this thread and I have learned A LOT about solar. These are the parts that I've come up with so far and I wanted to get everyone's opinions or suggestions.



5 Renogy 100w monocrystalline panels
3 100ah Battleborn batteries
Victron BMV 712 Battery Monitor
Victron 100/50 MPPT Solar charge controller
Progressive 60amp Lithium Converter ??? (not sure if i need this??)



Last question, would you use the factor prewire on the roof or run new cables through the fridge vent?

Let me answer your hardware question:

I like the 100W Renogy Mono panels. I considered using them, but they were out of stock when I was buying. They are equal panels to the AMSolar SP100's on my setup.

Battleborns? I have no experience here, but like their new 10 year warranty and simple installation. I would consider these over my wet-cell 6V golf cart batteries if I wanted a larger battery bank installed inside my Airstream. So far, my cheap 230AH 6V golf cart batteries can supply all the power I need; even when running my heat all night long, set at 70 degrees, with outside temperatures down to 40 degrees. The furnace uses 7A, so even if it ran for 10 hours straight, that would only be 70AH. We do not conserve power even with our setup.

Victron 712 - I did not install one because I'm not worried about damaging my cheap batteries. With Lithium it is required. I installed a Victron BatterySmart which provides the temperature compensation and also does voltage compensation.

Victron 100/50 - YES!!! its the same as my 100/30 but is capable of more than 400W. I considered the 100/50 with 500W but decided that a well-placed 400W of solar was all I would need.

Progressive 60A - I installed a PD4655VL which is capable of charging Lithium batteries for about $200. I could have skipped replacing my converter since I have never needed to charge my batteries with anything but solar. But it gives me the option to "boost" charge my batteries with my generator.

Factory Pre-wire? Yes, if you install 400W with a series-parallel configuration. See my answer to you above. No, if you want 500W of solar. With 500W you must use 4GA wire for the high Amps on a parallel installation with a separate combiner box.

You are going to LOVE your new solar installation!

[pwlldvd]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

We spent a total of $120 plus tax for a 100watt Solar Panel with a Coleman 7amp Solar Charge Controller from Costco. Shipped to my door.

For Off the Grid Boondocking... I am 100% satisfied for Solar Show and Tell.

My Honda generator stays home.

I have two Interstate wet cell 12 volt batteries. They seem to be doing their job. Our job is to orientate the solar panel, when we at the trailer, or returning to camp.

Wow! That’s 1/2 the price of the Renogy I am looking at.

How long have you had it? At that price, and with Costco warranty, seems like it should work.

[AirMiles]

Ray, Thank you for sharing your solar setup on the "Solar Show & Tell" thread. Yes, adding solar can be as easy as Ray describes. Buy a solar panel, connect it to a small controller, and connect the controller outputs to your battery. Its as easy as hooking up a battery charger and YES it will work.

Ray's setup probably outputs about 5A. With the ability to keep this portable 100W panel pointed directly at the sun, that 5A could be achieved for 10 to 12 hours per day. Therefore, Ray could be getting 50 to 60 Amp Hours on a good day. I could get by on this much solar with a little conservation.

That's a lot of juice for just over $100!