2005 F-450 4x4 Utility Body w/ Starcraft Pine Mountain Lonestar Pop-top Camper

[Bubblegoose1]

Giving this 100w dual panel suitcase solar kit a test run dry camping for 6 days in Yellowstone next week. Running dual Odyssey PC1700s should give it a decent workout with varying weather forecasted.

This is my first experience with solar setups. I personally hate generator noise while camping, anywhere. Deciding what I want to commit to for normally PNW weather type camping. This kit is less than $300, comes fully plug & play, and gets very good ratings. Build quality is impressive. Will post some review insight during trip and following.

 

[java]

That looks like a really nice little package. I have renogy panels on my RV, they seems just fine IMO.

 

[Bubblegoose1]

That looks like a really nice little package. I have renogy panels on my RV, they seems just fine IMO.

Great to hear

 

[Wilbah]

Some how I missed this thread before. I think this was a pretty well thought out rig before and you have certainly added to it! Well done. I really like your approach. Thanks for sharing all the details you have put into the build. Hope you have a great trip! Love to hear the AAR when you return and see how things worked (or didn't which is all part of the process right?! ) Thanks again!

 

[Bubblegoose1]

Some how I missed this thread before. I think this was a pretty well thought out rig before and you have certainly added to it! Well done. I really like your approach. Thanks for sharing all the details you have put into the build. Hope you have a great trip! Love to hear the AAR when you return and see how things worked (or didn't which is all part of the process right?! ) Thanks again!

Thank you very much for the compliments. It was a great platform to start with. I have focused on adding to the functionality, and ease of use; everything has its place and works well together.

I will update and review my experiences on this trip. This will also be the first trip flat-towing the Jeep.

 

[Bubblegoose1]

Kirkland WA to Butte MT so far, "camping" in the Flying J lot. Tomorrow we reach Yellowstone.

First time towing with a dually, and first time flat-towing any vehicle. Truck has performed flawlessly. Jeep tracks like the best of hunting dogs. Great combo. Truck hardly knows the Jeep is there, 70 MPH and minimal to no average MPG loss.

Not a bad looking setup, I think. Wireless reverse view cameras give a clear view of what going on.

 

[pappawheely]

What did you do to the Jeep to allow it to be flat towed?

 

[Bubblegoose1]

What did you do to the Jeep to allow it to be flat towed?

It's a 2010 Grand with the Quadratrac II system. Simply follow a few steps and push a center console button, 4x4/transfer case system is disengaged for flat-towing. I installed the Blue Ox hidden tow bracket, and chose the aluminum tow bar. Great setup and super easy to use.

 

[Bubblegoose1]

Solar is setup at Yellowstone. Varying bright sunlight and some overcast. Charger is putting out 13v consistently, taking the dual batteries from 12.3v to 12.7v in less than 30 min. Very happy so far.

 

[guidolyons]

Portable panels are nice so you can keep them in the sun and keep the rig in the shade.

 

[kojackJKU]

What did you do to the Jeep to allow it to be flat towed?

Most any jeep of older decent can be flat towed with no issue. The newer ones are the issue, like the patriot, etc...but if you get the pat in standard it can be flat towed no issue.

 

[Bubblegoose1]

Portable panels are nice so you can keep them in the sun and keep the rig in the shade.

Absolutely. Learned that quickly. Still need to get longer cable extensions.

Also agree, I personally would never do hard mounted panels on a rig. PNW, and many other areas don't make for good sunlight in shaded campsites. Even our Yellowstone campsite is heavily wooded.

 

[Bubblegoose1]

After 3 full varied weather condition days of solar panel usage, I am very pleased with the performance. With overnight usage of the camper heater, phone and tablet charging, and lighting demands, the solar kept the batteries at an average of 12.4v during daylight, dropping to 12.0 overnight.

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[IdaSHO]

You need more solar and/or battery if you are dropping to 12V

Your batteries hate you.


Also, kick the charge voltage up above 14V 13V isnt enough.

 

[Bubblegoose1]

You need more solar and/or battery if you are dropping to 12V

Your batteries hate you.


Also, kick the charge voltage up above 14V 13V isnt enough.

Learning. Learning. I wanted to just plug and play to see what it did out of the box. Also, the panels spent about 75% of the day shaded by trees and blocked by clouds. Cables were not long enough to reach the sun. I have cable extensions as of yesterday

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