TT Solar array expansion and electrical upgrade complete.

[Buyer2021]

I felt my 'DIY capabilities/experience-comfort level' did NOT add up to the Li-Solar system that I want to use on Day #1 this spring ....

Always good to recognize and work within your own limitations (different for each of us but we all have them!)

Sponsored

 

[22Platinum]

objective of fitting the unit within the limited physical space(s) available in my trailer for a dedicated / integrated full-time RV installation.

I had / have no interest in a physically separate unit / 'solar generator' requiring connection of any sort to the trailer and its PV array to place in-use.

Yes that was two of the downsides: I now have this 113 pound item under the bed that is not bolted down, and I had to figure a way to run the 12v & 120v supply from it to the TT; I have the 30a power plug coming from underneath the trailer in a mildly janky way, and had to run 50ft of extension cord back up into the TT for shore power (also limiting my input to the TT from shore to 15 amps, though this isn't an issue for me, as the DP3 can still output more than 15 amps for the short amount of time I could possibly need to run the oven and the AC at the same time).

 

[Davexxxx]

Yes, to the last several posts.

I wasn't ready for this install on day one. I researched and studied for about 2 yrs. building on top of basic electrical skills.

Since a "set it and forget it" scheme, was possible to achieve, thats what I wanted.

With no more input from me, than turning the inverter on, which can be done via app. my system will power the entire camper, including aircon, and or space heating loads and in good measure, refresh itself, to make the system self sustaining. Absent the need for those high loads, I expect it to be truly, self sustaining.

And it can do this, all the way down to an internal battery temp of -4F, which it will never see.

Edit: And I'm no spring chicken either. It was a lot of hard work but very rewarding and with the total system cost of just shy of 7K, I'm guessing doing it ourselves, saved us a similar number. And a special thanks to my Wife, who was a huge help during the install.

 

[Davexxxx]

The next few days will be the first big test of the solar part of the upgrade.

Doing a fireplace install. As I retrofit the cabinetry, I see no reason why the fireplace can't be providing heat, plugged into a different outlet. 750-1500W

Its currently 33F but we've had single digit lows, the last several nights. Forecast is cloudy to partly cloudy and we're (+-) at the highs.

 

[Davexxxx]

The next few days will be the first big test of the solar part of the upgrade.

Doing a fireplace install. As I retrofit the cabinetry, I see no reason why the fireplace can't be providing heat, plugged into a different outlet. 750-1500W

Its currently 33F but we've had single digit lows, the last several nights. Forecast is cloudy to partly cloudy and we're (+-) at the highs.

I have more detailed notes and I'll post them when finished but the 1000' view, is that starting at 12:15, 2 hrs. of running the Fireplace on high (1500W) raised the inside temp from ~32 to 52F and dropped the battery bank from 100% to 66%, during a mixed cloud and sun sky.

After that, I needed to do test fitting, so the FP was off and the furnace on. Called it a day around 7:00, with the furnace, relevant lighting and running the ac powered central vacuum as needed. The batteries were still at 66%

This thing has always had more vampire loads than I'd like. Everything that can be turned off, is but it still sucks 3-4% overnight. Last night it was 6, because I left the inverter on.

So, around 9:00 this morn. SOC at 60%. Sun still low in the sky, bringing in 40W, translating to 3A to the batts.

Re vampire loads. Fire and CO2 detectors, TPMS repeater and brake switch. I can't think of anything else, except maybe the stock converter? I flipped the breaker off and put a piece of tape across it when I did the main upgrade but left it wired in. There is a lit led on it, so it is drawing at least that much power but I wouldn't think it should be much. I can unwire it. Think thats the culprit?

 

[22Platinum]

There is a lit led on it, so it is drawing at least that much power but I wouldn't think it should be much. I can unwire it. Think thats the culprit?

Sounds like the converter is still running, and mine was parasitic even without load.

I'd flip off every breaker until the LED goes out, then flip them back on until it comes back on to verify which breaker runs it; sounds like it's still powered on.

 

[Davexxxx]

Sounds like the converter is still running, and mine was parasitic even without load.

I'd flip off every breaker until the LED goes out, then flip them back on until it comes back on to verify which breaker runs it; sounds like it's still powered on.

No, it isn't on. That would make a parasitic loop. It has it's own ac breaker that is off. I'll see if it has a dedicated 12v fuse and pull that. If not, I can always just unwire it.

 

[Davexxxx]

More 1000' view.

Didn't take detailed notes yesterday, as I was running between the camper and the table saw, fine tuning and test fitting parts and then painting them.

Started around 10:00. Beginning temp was 32F. Ran the furnace all day, plus lights, plus vac (as needed.), on a sunny day. Outside temp high of 35(+-). Thermostat set to 70. Called it a day around 5:00.

Yesterday ended with a SOC of 75% (up from 60) and according to the charge controller portion of the victron app. PV production was 1.58KW. Not too bad, for a low winter sun and most of the day in partial shade.

Current SOC is 73%, with everything off (minus normal vampires).

Doubt I do much inside the camper today, or the next several. Until the paint is dry, not much to do and will be working on making new cab doors.

Current forecast is partly cloudy, to mostly cloudy.

I'll check the stats again this eve.

 

[Davexxxx]

Nothing done in the camper yesterday (waiting for paint).

SOC is 90%. Up 15% with PV production of 1.66KWh on a mixed clouds and sun day.

Today's forecast is for the same. No reason to expect that they won't be topped off by end of day.

 

[Davexxxx]

The fireplace install.

Before,

After.

I was going to make cabinet doors but the Wife thinks we should just mount some black elastic cargo netting in them and call it good. They're very shallow, barely deep enough for the FP. She thinks we'll use them more, as big map pockets, than as too small cabinets. Don't think I'm gonna like the look but she is right about the usefulness.

 

[Stormpeakco]

The fireplace install.

Before,

After.

I was going to make cabinet doors but the Wife thinks we should just mount some black elastic cargo netting in them and call it good. They're very shallow, barely deep enough for the FP. She thinks we'll use them more, as big map pockets, than as too small cabinets. Don't think I'm gonna like the look but she is right about the usefulness.

Nice, professional-looking construction/installation. Thanks for posting.

(Real world, cuz I have zero experience w/ those and I get not hearing a noisy propane RV furnace/blower, firing up every 10 mins) Beyond aesthetics, is there a significant efficiency advantage (watts consumed/generated btus) over a (or two) tiny, quiet, inexpensive, portable, ceramic heater factored in w/ loss of storage volume? Thanks.

 

[Davexxxx]

Nice, professional-looking construction/installation. Thanks for posting.

(Real world, cuz I have zero experience w/ those and I get not hearing a noisy propane RV furnace/blower, firing up every 10 mins) Beyond aesthetics, is there a significant efficiency advantage (watts consumed/generated btus) over a (or two) tiny, quiet, inexpensive, portable, ceramic heater factored in w/ loss of storage volume? Thanks.

Hmmm. Short answer is no. One could probably put it in the category of expensive doodad. Which I am usually loathe to abide but that cabinet is so shallow, we didn't use it. So from a space perspective, both in storage and in use, its a win, relative to a stand alone heater. It is heavier than in your example, 2 small heaters but we have weight capacity to spare, especially aft of the wheels.

The heater part, has low (750W) high (1,500W), timer up to 9 hrs. and a thermostat mode. Even with a reasonably large battery bank, the draw would be significant and mainly used just to take the edge off, or as an emergency backup, should something happen to the furnace.

 

[Stormpeakco]

Hmmm. Short answer is no. One could probably put it in the category of expensive doodad. Which I am usually loathe to abide but that cabinet is so shallow, we didn't use it. So from a space perspective, both in storage and in use, its a win, relative to a stand alone heater. It is heavier than in your example, 2 small heaters but we have weight capacity to spare, especially aft of the wheels.

The heater part, has low (750W) high (1,500W), timer up to 9 hrs. and a thermostat mode. Even with a reasonably large battery bank, the draw would be significant and mainly used just to take the edge off, or as an emergency backup, should something happen to the furnace.

OK, thanks (yes partially under the category of Honey-do, or else, tasks).

 

[Davexxxx]

OK, thanks (yes partially under the category of Honey-do, or else, tasks).

It was not rocket science to install but a couple of specialty tools and basic handyman type skills, would be required.

Sponsored