Solar

[Manitou]

Mine is all stock.
I was looking for an easy way out. If one could safely add just 1 more panel and call it done.
Sounds like that is not the case. Guess I'll just stick with this a while longer.
Before the battery bank upgrade.. My rig couldn't make it through a night without triggering the LVD. Now it makes it fine. The next test will be this coming week when its in the airport parking lot for a week. Usually, I empty the fridge and turn off the 12v. This time, I'm going to leave the 12v on and have a few things (that won't mold or anything) in the fridge. I have an LCD TV that uses juice in standby mode and a small inverter that uses some too (in addition to the parasitic draw of the co2 type monitors).
I don't have good numbers for how much juice my rig uses just sitting for a day. Nor do I know how much the single panel really replenishes.

[Skillet]

Is this going to be a test for your rig? Otherwise I would unplug those items (tv, inverter, etc) that do the phantom power draw.

[Blue~Go]

I think you're right in that there is no simple way (I know, I always say that).

The first thing I would do in your shoes is get a battery monitor of some sort (why yes, I have suggestions ). Otherwise it's like running with no gas gauge (the LVD only tells you when you have already run out of "gas," which is inconvenient and hard on batteries).

Here is more info on solar panels. There are a few things to think about.

1) Keeping the wiring safe (this means correct wiring, with proper OCP [overcurrent protection]).

2) Getting everything you can out of the panels, which means sizing things appropriately (wiring, controller, etc.). You want to avoid voltage drop (which happens when you have small wires and more amps).

3) Somewhat related to #2, you want to charge the batteries at the voltage the manufacturer suggests. This is usually specified to the tenth (i.e. 14.4 volts), and is important for the heath of the batteries, which is one reason voltage drop is bad.

So it takes some figuring (which I'm happy to help with if I can), but the reward is a system that works well, and happy batteries. I helped a buddy this fall who had a system with five panels and five batteries, but the wiring and OCP were not done well. The batteries would not charge to 100% often enough and had to be replaced prematurely. There was not adequate protection, and there was also massive voltage drop. We fixed those things and the system is humming along, he's getting more out of it, and the batteries are happy and well fed. It's one of those of those "system" things, where it all has to be relatively balanced.

I agree with Skillet in that I would minimize any loads on the batteries while you are parked unattended (especially if you are going to be in parking that would shade the panel, but even with sun).

[Chinookers]

Here's a link to show what I did ... http://chinookers.blogspot.com/2014/07/ ... ade_7.html

Very happy with the result

[Blue~Go]

Andrew,

I'm a fan of all your mods (and your blog). You do a great job, and your Premier is such a nice rig.

I took inspiration from your solar panel setup to figure out how to mount mine (which is still in process).

Happy to see you posting here!

[Manitou]

Here's a link to show what I did ... http://chinookers.blogspot.com/2014/07/ ... ade_7.html

Very happy with the result

That's a pretty big jump in wattage. Would you do anything different now or stick with those exact 2 panels/charger/wiring ?

[Chinookers]

That's a pretty big jump in wattage. Would you do anything different now or stick with those exact 2 panels/charger/wiring ?

Short version: Wouldn't change a thing

Longer version: Panels fit available roof space, no point adding just one and leaving 50 watt OEM Siemens panel as this would degrade output, matching panels is important, system puts out sufficient power to properly charge and equalize my SCS225s (something converter is incapable of), even on a gray cloudy day the system puts out a useful charge, installation at AM Solar was first class, MPPT controller is excellent and easily programmable - so yep I'd do same again. Might get around to upgrading my inverter at some point - only have a small one for charging laptop & Chromebook - would be useful to be able to run something bigger without generator noise.

[Manitou]

I was able to figure out a rough break down of $, but do you recall what it cost? I don't see the GS135 panels available any more.. just 100's.
I'll give AM Solar a call when I get close to them in a couple months if I have some $ burning a hole

[Chinookers]

Re solar upgrade costs on my unit, the components (panels, mounts, charge controller, wiring, connectors, misc.) totaled about $1,400. I chose to have the install done for me at AM Solar, so labor was on top of that. It took them 13.1/2 hours. I'm sure it would have taken me a lot longer!

[Manitou]

I was thinking more about this. Question: while boondocking, do you have another car for running to the store and such?
I don't, so every trip to anywhere is charging the batteries from the alternator for me. It's rare for me to go an entire day without going somewhere.