Finally dialed in my electric components on my trailer

[Rezarf <><]

I'm all for a good hijack!

 

[dwh]

Is it okay to tie two panels together? If so, in parallel?

As long as they both have a Vmp that is more or less the same, then sure, parallel is fine. The voltage will stay the same but the amperage will go up.

Then you could run to a dual charge controller or run though a single charge controller to one battery and then charge the second battery off the first with a DC-DC charger like the Xantrex Echo:

http://www.solar-electric.com/echo-charger.html

There is a way to rig two PWM (not MPPT though) charge controllers to one solar panel, or one array of panels - which is generally a no-no, but it can be done with the right setup of diodes.

 

[XJINTX]

That is one CLEAN install. I would be embarrassed to post pics of mine Now I have a project to redo mine. My excuse it it was started by previous owner

A question I throw out there... should I seal the compartment... is that safe? Mine has vents and when traveling dusty roads a lot of dust gets in there.

 

[Rezarf <><]

I have vents on mine to vent the gases from the flooded batteries. This isn't ideal for an offroad setup, but the $$$ for the AGM was out of my price range. These have held up great so far.

I do plan on running a small 12v fan to draw air through the box. I can, and would, run a piece of duct tape over the inside of the vents when bombing down dusty trails (think Moab). That silty dust gets into EVERYTHING no matter how hard I have tried to keep it at bay.

If you have AGM seal batteries then I would seal it up tight. Otherwise, the vents might proove benefitial.

 

[Dezdan]

As long as they both have a Vmp that is more or less the same, then sure, parallel is fine. The voltage will stay the same but the amperage will go up.
Then you could run to a dual charge controller or run though a single charge controller to one battery and then charge the second battery off the first with a DC-DC charger like the Xantrex Echo:
http://www.solar-electric.com/echo-charger.html
There is a way to rig two PWM (not MPPT though) charge controllers to one solar panel, or one array of panels - which is generally a no-no, but it can be done with the right setup of diodes.

Thanks for the info! Very much appreciated! I'll likely KISS, and use a dual charge controller.

I do plan on running a small 12v fan to draw air through the box. I can, and would, run a piece of duct tape over the inside of the vents when bombing down dusty trails (think Moab). That silty dust gets into EVERYTHING no matter how hard I have tried to keep it at bay.

What about installing a vent similar to those on the back of newer jeep TJ tailgates? MOPAR part #55055998AD, call an 'Exhauster' (~$20), not sure how it works, but I never see dust coming in my heep through that vent and it allows any built-up pressure to gas out.

~Dan

 

[Rezarf <><]

I bet even something like some speaker grill cloth or similar would be fine to vent and keep a certain amount of dust at bay. I am not familar with the vent on the jeep though it sounds like a great idea. My vents were like $3 each.

 

[Dezdan]

The jeep vents have rubber flaps in them that only open in one direction. Found a photo Here.

Another option I thought about for my build is just using a simple metal fin type vent and then buying a household AC/heater unit filter (HEPA) and chopping it up and to fit my vent.

~Dan

 

[dwh]

Just put the vent up high - hydrogen is lighter than air, so it rises.

 

[rdsk8ter]

what about having a closeable one for the dusty times and open it when your done moving. like some twist style vents. I plan on doing that. I will have a "divider" but also have my propane in the same area so yea lots of vents are in my future

 

[JeepFreak21]

I have vents on mine to vent the gases from the flooded batteries. This isn't ideal for an offroad setup, but the $$$ for the AGM was out of my price range. These have held up great so far.

I do plan on running a small 12v fan to draw air through the box. I can, and would, run a piece of duct tape over the inside of the vents when bombing down dusty trails (think Moab). That silty dust gets into EVERYTHING no matter how hard I have tried to keep it at bay.

If you have AGM seal batteries then I would seal it up tight. Otherwise, the vents might proove benefitial.

The vents aren't necessary w/ a fully sealed, non-serviceable battery like the Optima or Orbital, right?
Billy

 

[loren85022]

The obvious solution is a snorkel

 

[dwh]

The vents aren't necessary w/ a fully sealed, non-serviceable battery like the Optima or Orbital, right?
Billy

Technically...all batteries should be in a box vented to the outside. The reason is that sealed batteries are what are known as "VRLA" (Valve Regulated Lead-Acid). They have a vent valve that will open if they are overcharged and they'll vent hydrogen.

In practical day to day use though, many people 'overlook' that point for convenience.

AGMs for example are quite popular for sticking inside a camper. I've been eyeballing a space under my couch where I could fit another battery or two. At first I was thinking AGMs, but they are expensive and I try to avoid buying expensive batteries for aux batteries because I know I'm going to abuse them by running them too low or even dead and will have to replace them every couple of years.

So I'll probably end up boxing in that area and rigging a vent to the outside and going with a couple of golf cart batteries instead.

 

[Rocket Ship]

Shore power... its just a 3 prong male end for an extention cord.

Found it and ordered, thanks. Something I didn't know existed.