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Solar Camper Trailer Project
hey guys,
its been a while since i posted anything so i figured i'd give you guys an update on my solar experiences so far.
so, i started off small with harbor frieght 45w panels and 2 truck batteries but quickly learned that i was using way more power that i was producing.i slowly and painstakingly upgraded my system by buying more truck batteries and more hf panels (100w kits).
i got a sweet deal on some 110ah agm batteries. So i traded my 12 flooded lead acid truck batteries for 5 agm's and that made a big difference. I found 4 more agm's online, had to drive to the next state to get them but picked them up for $100 each.(retail $256).the agm's charge faster and hold the charge longer but at only 445w max coming from my panels i still lack sufficent charge capability. When fully charged i can last about a week during sunny days and about 3-4 days on cloudy days before i have to switch to grid power and charge up.
Its tax season and i got a decent tax refund so i decided to upgrade my system some more, and instead of putting panels on my house i bought a cheap camper trailer to install the panels on and run the power to the house via 30a rv extension.This eliminates my worry of the power company asking questions about my solar setup and why im not paying to be a solar customer.from the outside it will look like im powering the trailer from the house.
I bought 5 genssi pv panels, a SunYoba 80a MPPT charge controller, 100a kwh meter w/shunt, and a Pyle 5000w power converter/regulator so i can feed 220v via the old A/C box on the back of my house. ( years before i moved in the ac unit was stolen but the 220v wiring still exists w/ pullout breaker). The pyle step-up converter uses 26w constantly which i dont like but will power the other leg of outlets that currently dont power up since im backfeeding 110v through a bedroom outlet.the second leg powers the microwave/fridge/oven curcuit. Right now i have to run an extension cord for the fridge,and dont use oven or microwave when im off-grid.
Ill be posting pics as i go along, Im sure ill be asking questions and taking advice/suggestions. Hope you guys enjoy my project.
its been a while since i posted anything so i figured i'd give you guys an update on my solar experiences so far.
so, i started off small with harbor frieght 45w panels and 2 truck batteries but quickly learned that i was using way more power that i was producing.i slowly and painstakingly upgraded my system by buying more truck batteries and more hf panels (100w kits).
i got a sweet deal on some 110ah agm batteries. So i traded my 12 flooded lead acid truck batteries for 5 agm's and that made a big difference. I found 4 more agm's online, had to drive to the next state to get them but picked them up for $100 each.(retail $256).the agm's charge faster and hold the charge longer but at only 445w max coming from my panels i still lack sufficent charge capability. When fully charged i can last about a week during sunny days and about 3-4 days on cloudy days before i have to switch to grid power and charge up.
Its tax season and i got a decent tax refund so i decided to upgrade my system some more, and instead of putting panels on my house i bought a cheap camper trailer to install the panels on and run the power to the house via 30a rv extension.This eliminates my worry of the power company asking questions about my solar setup and why im not paying to be a solar customer.from the outside it will look like im powering the trailer from the house.
I bought 5 genssi pv panels, a SunYoba 80a MPPT charge controller, 100a kwh meter w/shunt, and a Pyle 5000w power converter/regulator so i can feed 220v via the old A/C box on the back of my house. ( years before i moved in the ac unit was stolen but the 220v wiring still exists w/ pullout breaker). The pyle step-up converter uses 26w constantly which i dont like but will power the other leg of outlets that currently dont power up since im backfeeding 110v through a bedroom outlet.the second leg powers the microwave/fridge/oven curcuit. Right now i have to run an extension cord for the fridge,and dont use oven or microwave when im off-grid.
Ill be posting pics as i go along, Im sure ill be asking questions and taking advice/suggestions. Hope you guys enjoy my project.
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