Bikepals
Member
I saw that both cables went into this box and wondered if this could be done. So thanks again for a great post. I wonder why Black Series didn’t do this??
Black Series HQ Tips, Tricks, and Learning.....
- Thread starter kevin_j
- Start date
Hey, just got my hq19. Can you explain the zip tie for bolts of suspension shackles? I am not sure what i am looking for.....Thanks!I just looked at my new hitch and it is a 12K! So you all have me thereYes on the MPPT. For one it was kinda hard to tell what state the batteries where in just based on the volt meter our trailers comes with. With the Victron you can see your total collection stats accurately in addition to what stages the battery hit through the daily charge cycle. Because it's using a three stage charge cycle it's also supposed to increase battery life.
Another great upgrade was one of these mattress toppers : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UYGA49M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Still the best thing we've done so far!
RoA also shared a cool tip with me a few weeks ago in Moab. They added removable pins to the steps so that it's easy to remove them before hitting the trails. I know personally there's been a few times where I almost smoked those guys
Ok one more tip... I got this from another customer Dave... Zip tie the bolts of your suspension limiting shackles. I lost both of mine in the first month of use and ended replacing them with pinned link type shackles.
Bikepals
Member
Before I took home my HQ15 I had them check the shackles. One of them was missing already. They vibrate and come loose. The shackles are on the chain that goes in the middle of the suspension springs. I had them loctite both shackles. If you have your trailer home, just remove the bolt on the shackles and loctite them and you shouldn’t have any problems.
elindley01
New member
Hey guys,
Just wanted to introduce myself as a new Black Series owner! This forum has been very helpful for me in deciding the HQ12 was the camper for me and my family. I'm especially thankful for the tricks and tips from HQ15fan and feel like I know him after watching all the YouTube videos on the RVoA channel, lol. I'm a big contributor to other forums and hope to add some value to this one also. Thanks to all of you!
Just wanted to introduce myself as a new Black Series owner! This forum has been very helpful for me in deciding the HQ12 was the camper for me and my family. I'm especially thankful for the tricks and tips from HQ15fan and feel like I know him after watching all the YouTube videos on the RVoA channel, lol. I'm a big contributor to other forums and hope to add some value to this one also. Thanks to all of you!
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Your setup looks great! Where were those pictures of you camping taken? I see you got the high quality Harbor Freight bucket to go with the HQ12
Now, let the modding begin.... Post your experiences here, that'll be cool.elindley01
New member
Your setup looks great! Where were those pictures of you camping taken? I see you got the high quality Harbor Freight bucket to go with the HQ12
Thanks for the kind words! Yes, the free Harbor Freight bucket doubles as an outdoor sink drain and a stool for me to latch the top down when we're heading home, lol. Those pictures are from our first trip in the HQ12 last weekend at the Three Rivers Campground in Mescalero, NM. We live in El Paso now and this site is 2 hours away. Plus, we got to check out the Three Rivers Petroglyph site too. It's astounding how many incredible places there are to visit within a short drive from El Paso. That was one of the main contributing factors that led to us buying an HQ. I just did your 7 way trailer plug mod today and can't wait to see even more!
Bikepals
Member
Today I completed all my planned modifications. Two weeks ago I installed a Fantastic Fan. It took 3 hours because I took my time and was very careful. The old fan came off much easier than I anticipated. Since this is a new trailer the Dicor was soft and peeled up in one piece. Then I took my 5 way tool and worked it under the lip of the fan all the way around to take it off. The fan was connected with pin connectors so you can unplug it. I cut the cord from the old fan and used butt connectors to put it on the Fantastic fan. I cleaned the area with Mineral Spirits, soap and water, and Rubbing Alcohol before installing the fan. I installed the fan using Dicor Butyl Tape (under the lip of the fan) and Dicor self leveling lap sealant around the outer edge and over the screws. You cannot use the same holes as the old fan so I had to drill new holes. I made sure the fan worked before screwing it down. The remote holder has the same hole pattern as 2 screws on the TV wall brace (I have removed the TV). The remote works from the bed so this is a great place and no need to drill more holes. I used the same installation method as the Youtube video RV with Tito - How to Install A Fan-Tastic vent.
Today I installed 2 -110 watt SunPower flexible solar panels for a total of 520 watts of solar on the roof. My goal is not to drill anymore holes in my roof. One panel was installed on the front of the roof on the passenger side and the other was installed on the driver side between the fan and the middle solar panel. The passenger side solar panel had to have the header of the panel partially under the existing 150 watt panel. The SunPower panel has a large header so none of the cells are covered by the 150w panel. I used BougeRV Y Branch 1 to 4 Paralled Adaper Cables to connect all the panels together. Do not forget to trip the “Solar breaker" in the trailer. I didn’t do this and I had no power reading on my Victron app for my solar panels (panic). My Victron 100/50 controller (first thing I installed when I got the trailer) had cut out. I had to trip the breaker off and on to reset it. Again I used the same method that RV with Tito used in the video “Better Way to Mount Flexible Solar Panels on RV”. I fired up the microwave for 2 minutes and I got 420 watts from this setup and it is a partially cloudy day here in Arizona. I will take pictures later if anyone is interested in doing this.
I also checked the electrical box in the front of the trailer to see if I could hookup the 12 volt terminal so the car would charge the batteries (thanks HA15 Fan). To my surprise it was already hooked up. I double checked the 7 pin connector with my volt meter to be sure. So 2020 HQ15 trailers may all have this connected. My dealer must not know because they offered to wire up my car with an Anderson cable. Glad I didn’t take them up on it.
Today I installed 2 -110 watt SunPower flexible solar panels for a total of 520 watts of solar on the roof. My goal is not to drill anymore holes in my roof. One panel was installed on the front of the roof on the passenger side and the other was installed on the driver side between the fan and the middle solar panel. The passenger side solar panel had to have the header of the panel partially under the existing 150 watt panel. The SunPower panel has a large header so none of the cells are covered by the 150w panel. I used BougeRV Y Branch 1 to 4 Paralled Adaper Cables to connect all the panels together. Do not forget to trip the “Solar breaker" in the trailer. I didn’t do this and I had no power reading on my Victron app for my solar panels (panic). My Victron 100/50 controller (first thing I installed when I got the trailer) had cut out. I had to trip the breaker off and on to reset it. Again I used the same method that RV with Tito used in the video “Better Way to Mount Flexible Solar Panels on RV”. I fired up the microwave for 2 minutes and I got 420 watts from this setup and it is a partially cloudy day here in Arizona. I will take pictures later if anyone is interested in doing this.
I also checked the electrical box in the front of the trailer to see if I could hookup the 12 volt terminal so the car would charge the batteries (thanks HA15 Fan). To my surprise it was already hooked up. I double checked the 7 pin connector with my volt meter to be sure. So 2020 HQ15 trailers may all have this connected. My dealer must not know because they offered to wire up my car with an Anderson cable. Glad I didn’t take them up on it.
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Nice, well done! Please share pictures of your solar panel setup. Like to see that. Also, what trailer is this? A HQ15?
Thanks!
Bikepals
Member
Some pictures from our first camping trip at Bartlett Lake about an hour from our house. I’m pulling my HQ15 with a GMC Canyon AT Diesel. Wanted a midsized truck that would fit in my garage. Pulls great, got around 15 mpg on this trip.
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Bikepals
Member
Would have taken pictures yesterday but when I got no reading of solar output it put a wrench in it. I will take some pictures later in the week and post. Yes I have a HQ15.
mvbeggs
Adventurer
In the next few days, I'll be flying to Bozeman to inspect and pay for my new HQ-19. (I'll be driving back up in March/April to pick it up.)
Do the 2020's still have the Anderson connector? I heard rumors they were deleting the Anderson plug. I'd prefer to use the Anderson connector, over the 7 pin connector, due to the larger amperage carrying capacity of the Anderson plug. Does the Black Series have a DC to DC charger included?
Bikepals
Member
I can only speak to the 2020 HQ15. It does have the Anderson plug. No there is no DC to DC Charger and not sure why you would need one? There are 4 AGM batteries in the 2020 so your car can directly charge the batterie, but they also have 300 watts of solar panels that will also charge the batteries. You only need a DC to DC Charger for lithium batteries for the car to properly charge them at the correct voltage. It also has a Aims 2000 watt inverter charger that charges the batteries when hooked up to shore power.
Bikepals
Member
Here are pictures of the solar panel setup I have on the HQ15. As I said in a previous post you can see a video of how I mounted the panels on a YouTube video by RV with Tito. In short the SunPower flexible panels are on a sheet of Coroplast cut to the same size. You use aluminum floor transition pieces cut to 2" with holes drilled through the Coroplast and aluminum for the bolt. I used elevator bolts because they have a flat head. The panels are then mount to the top of the trailer with VHB tape under the bolts and 2" aluminum strips then covered with EternaBond Tape. The panel is bolted on to the Coroplast with wing nuts and Loctite. Then a strip of the aluminum is put across the front end to deflect air when you drive. This solar panel setup gives me 520 watts of power plus I have a 160 watt panel for ground solar incase I am in the shade.
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mvbeggs
Adventurer
Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear they did not delete the Anderson plug. That will save me the time of having to install one on the trailer.
You might want to check out the advantages to running a DC-DC charger, as well as the limitations you may run into charging from the small wire in the vehicle's 7 pin connector.
The main benefit I see with the DC-DC charger is DC-DC charger's ability to control the input voltage from the alternator to charge the auxiliary batteries to 100%. The DC-DC charger also uses software to apply the correct charging profile for the battery type and the battery's current state of charge.
In my opinion, there are numerous advantages to running a DC-DC charger whether you run AGM, lead acid, or Lithium Ion. I don't believe DC-DC chargers are only needed for Lithium Ion batteries.
Here's a couple links that have some relevant information regarding DC-Dc chargers:
REDARC BCDC and SBI Explained
There is a lot of "Talk" about DC to DC chargers and "Do i really need it" questions about this subject.
What is a REDARC BCDC and what does it do? (although this is a manufacture's video, it goes into how DC-DC chargers work and why they may be advantageous.)
Again, thanks for the information.
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