I see that this section is for "small 12v systems". If this should be posted in a different section, please let me know.
The short version of this, is that I'd like to discuss a 5,000 watt PV system on the roof of a van.
The long version, is that I am considering ordering a new 1-ton dually 170" wheelbase extended tall roof Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van and converting it for full-time stealth van living for my wife and I, until we're too old to do it anymore. I plan to insulate the van well, but I'd like for us to be able to make generous use of a large air-conditioner, as well as running LED interior lights, water pump, and both laptops all day long, without relying on shore power, and we're not interested in running from hot weather to do it. I've looked into many methods of powering the electricals, to include a 3kw diesel generator mounted under the back of the van, super-quiet Honda generator hidden inside a sealed box in the back with external forced ventilation, a second alternator, and combinations of those paired with a more modest solar system, and all three major types of batteries typically used for these types of purposes (flooded, AGM, and lithium).
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The short version of this, is that I'd like to discuss a 5,000 watt PV system on the roof of a van.
The long version, is that I am considering ordering a new 1-ton dually 170" wheelbase extended tall roof Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van and converting it for full-time stealth van living for my wife and I, until we're too old to do it anymore. I plan to insulate the van well, but I'd like for us to be able to make generous use of a large air-conditioner, as well as running LED interior lights, water pump, and both laptops all day long, without relying on shore power, and we're not interested in running from hot weather to do it. I've looked into many methods of powering the electricals, to include a 3kw diesel generator mounted under the back of the van, super-quiet Honda generator hidden inside a sealed box in the back with external forced ventilation, a second alternator, and combinations of those paired with a more modest solar system, and all three major types of batteries typically used for these types of purposes (flooded, AGM, and lithium).
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I have an extensive background in auto repair, to include having specialized in chassis electrical, among other things, so I'm fairly handy, and I'm not quite starting from zero knowledge. But there is even more stuff that I don't know, when it comes to something like this.
I'm sketching this out using 100-watt panels wired in a combination of series and parallel as needed. I'm reading that larger panels are less durable in mobile PV systems.
I'm designing a roof-mounted solar panel rack that would be the legal maximum width (102") for road use, running the full length of the roof, mounted just high enough to clear a low-profile 15,000 BTU rooftop air conditioner, and carrying 20 100-watt panels, for 2,000 watts.
On top of that, I'm designing a second solar panel rack of the same size, holding another 20 100-watt panels, for another 2,000 watts. The second rack would be mounted on slide-outs moved by a linear electric actuator, and would slide to the right, to serve as an awning.
And then finally, a third power slide-out solar panel rack mounted under the front half of the first rack, containing 10 100-watt panels, for another 1,000 watts, that would extend to the front bumper when deployed.
The combined weight of the solar panels alone, not counting the three racks, the two actuators, and a 100-pound air conditioner, is 825 pounds. For that reason, I would need to fabricate tubular steel "roll bar" type supporting structures inside the van, one at the rear, and one at the B-pillar, to support the weight of the entire solar system, before insulating and paneling the walls.
When it's all folded up when moving or when in stealth mode at night, it would be 102" wide, about 188" long, and add about 14.5" to the height of the van. The van would weigh about 6,000 pounds, and has a GVWR of about 10,000 pounds.
Of particular interest to me, is how much battery capacity would be appropriate for something like this.
Would I need three MPPT solar charge controllers, one for each rack?
So let's dive in...
I'm sketching this out using 100-watt panels wired in a combination of series and parallel as needed. I'm reading that larger panels are less durable in mobile PV systems.
I'm designing a roof-mounted solar panel rack that would be the legal maximum width (102") for road use, running the full length of the roof, mounted just high enough to clear a low-profile 15,000 BTU rooftop air conditioner, and carrying 20 100-watt panels, for 2,000 watts.
On top of that, I'm designing a second solar panel rack of the same size, holding another 20 100-watt panels, for another 2,000 watts. The second rack would be mounted on slide-outs moved by a linear electric actuator, and would slide to the right, to serve as an awning.
And then finally, a third power slide-out solar panel rack mounted under the front half of the first rack, containing 10 100-watt panels, for another 1,000 watts, that would extend to the front bumper when deployed.
The combined weight of the solar panels alone, not counting the three racks, the two actuators, and a 100-pound air conditioner, is 825 pounds. For that reason, I would need to fabricate tubular steel "roll bar" type supporting structures inside the van, one at the rear, and one at the B-pillar, to support the weight of the entire solar system, before insulating and paneling the walls.
When it's all folded up when moving or when in stealth mode at night, it would be 102" wide, about 188" long, and add about 14.5" to the height of the van. The van would weigh about 6,000 pounds, and has a GVWR of about 10,000 pounds.
Of particular interest to me, is how much battery capacity would be appropriate for something like this.
Would I need three MPPT solar charge controllers, one for each rack?
So let's dive in...
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