Finally some progress on my RV solar.

[Ho jo]

How about these? Screenshot_20200921-224006_Chrome.jpg

[PNW_Steve]

Thank you or the offer, but I'm retired.

My comment was meant to suggest when welding attachments like brackets to a structure or fixture, also consider the strength of what the bracket is welded to and what the weld will do to the fixture. As in, don't weld a lifting lug to the roof of your car without checking to see if the subsequent lift will leave the lug attached to the roof but tear the roof off.

Thanks. I understand. It has been suggested before that I build it myself. I looked it over and was over my head as soon as I started looking at "where do I attach it?"

If the whole thing were made of wood, I would be in my element nut all of this metal is a challenge for me.

I know that there are folks out there that could design and build without breaking a sweat. I am patient. I'll find someone in time.

[J.P.M.]

If it is something that you may consider taking on as a project I would be most happy to come to you if you are within a day or two drive.

Thank you or the offer, but I'm retired.

My comment was meant to suggest when welding attachments like brackets to a structure or fixture, also consider the strength of what the bracket is welded to and what the weld will do to the fixture. As in, don't weld a lifting lug to the roof of your car without checking to see if the subsequent lift will leave the lug attached to the roof but tear the roof off.

[PNW_Steve]

The big picture:

Bus solar 009sm.jpg

[PNW_Steve]

More progress. All of the panels are up. Now on to wiring them back to the electrical cabinet.Bus solar 008sm.jpg

[PNW_Steve]

FWIW, having done a fair amount of structural design as well as more than a little experience in design of weldments, what a bracket is attached to is often at least as important as the bracket, and the weldment is often the critical part of the considerations. I once caught a neophyte designer spending a couple hrs. designing a lifting lug and weld good for >> than design called for and would be welded to a 16 ga. steel pressure vessel wall that would fail if the lug were place where the designer intended. He hadn't learned the bigger picture yet.

If it is something that you may consider taking on as a project I would be most happy to come to you if you are within a day or two drive.

[J.P.M.]

I have a mig welder. I had to have one for the roof raise and water tank mounts. Building a properly functioning alternator bracket is beyond my skillet.

You are most welcome to come over and show/teach me.....

FWIW, having done a fair amount of structural design as well as more than a little experience in design of weldments, what a bracket is attached to is often at least as important as the bracket, and the weldment is often the critical part of the considerations. I once caught a neophyte designer spending a couple hrs. designing a lifting lug and weld good for >> than design called for and would be welded to a 16 ga. steel pressure vessel wall that would fail if the lug were place where the designer intended. He hadn't learned the bigger picture yet.

[PNW_Steve]

Get a MIG welder. Many things suddenly become possible. Bruce Roe

I have a mig welder. I had to have one for the roof raise and water tank mounts. Building a properly functioning alternator bracket is beyond my skillet.

You are most welcome to come over and show/teach me.....

[bcroe]

Get a MIG welder. Many things suddenly become possible. Bruce Roe

[PNW_Steve]

Quite a few companies make second alternator brackets for the little 5.9 but I have yet to find one for the 8.3.

[PNW_Steve]

Balmar may have a mount
https://balmar.net/balmar-technology...on-technology/

Thank you.

I have already tried Balmar. They have some awesome alternators though. They would be my go to for the 24v alternator.

[Mike90250]

Balmar may have a mount
https://balmar.net/balmar-technology...on-technology/

[PNW_Steve]

We have opted not to buy a diesel generator like I had on my last one. I am considering adding an additional alternator (24v) for my house batteries but have not found a bracket yet. If anyone here knows of a source for a second alternator on an 8.3 Cummins please share it with me.

Thanks

[PNW_Steve]

Might have been me. Most RV's don't have enough clear acreage for enough solar to make much of a dent. I read from above, you have 8, 300w panels ? 2S4P ?

Yup. 8x300 watt. 2s4p.

[PNW_Steve]

With all that power and shade you or the OP could probably install a more efficient split system mounted somewhere else. .

I am installing two of them. One 9k btu and one 12k btu.