Lets See Your Solar Setups
- Thread starter Corey
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![IMAG1556[1].jpg](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/322/322588-7cb5cb17acd9a694319ee1c87add4d8c.jpg "IMAG1556[1].jpg")
Our vintage canvas trailer catching some cool evening light
![IMAG1598[1].jpg](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/322/322589-27c94eb9608c76cdd29cf972f781004e.jpg "IMAG1598[1].jpg")
Packed and ready to head home
![IMAG1489[1].jpg](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/322/322590-a893bc220db8548be63a29256c2ae105.jpg "IMAG1489[1].jpg")
100 W Renogy polycrystalline panel
10ga wiring and waterproof connections
Moohoo 20A PWM charge controller (undersized? see question below)
Stanley 500W inverter (on sale for $50 at Canadian Tire)
79Ah Motomaster AGM
We've seen up to 4.5A charging in full sun in July, 1.2ish in light clouds. I haven't charged it past 12.7 yet as I did not know whether it was safe to do so. Reading this thread it seems that charging up higher is quite common...is there a recommended 'upper limit'?
EDIT: reading more about AGMs and proper charging....don't think I have settable voltage cut offs, not sure about equalization, and definitely not able to get the battery past 12.9 while on live charge, but then when disconnected it reads as 12.2. I think I will need to upgrade my CC.
Currently (pun intended), we can run a 3/8" plug in drill (an old metal one even!), jig saw, 4.5" angle grinder, in addition to charging our phones, LED light for the trailer etc. BUT BUT BUT for the high drain devices (tools), the inverter must be directly attached to the battery. I'd be very surprised if I was pulling more than 20A through the charge controller, but it puts the inverter into limp mode if all are connected as pictured above and there is a big load (e.g. anything above 2/3 trigger on the drill). Any tips would be appreciated.
This set up is good enough for us right now, since it is our beginner system before we upgrade it and mount it permanently to our yet-to-be-built cabin.
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Search amazon.com they have several models of single or dual voltage displays.
inthedirtagain
Observer
260w mounted on a frame that I built for the roof of my Baja. They are wired (parallel) to a hacked up extension cord that runs to my PWM controller, then into the dual 6v batteries. This controller doesn't have a meter or display on it, but the Baja has one built-in on the kitchen. Next to that display, I've wired up a 12v aux panel with 2 USB ports. Next to that is a cheap inverter for when the Mrs needs to blow-dry her hair, or whatever. Pretty slick setup for us, but not built like some of y'alls expedition trailers.
rkj__
Adventurer
For a low price of $99 CAD, I picked up a kit that included a 40W panel, 7A charge controller, and 12ft extension cord. It is a Coleman from Canadian Tire, which is a re-branded Sun Force.
It works well for charging up the trailer battery when camping without electrical hookup. It seems to be plenty to keep up with the usage of the lights, fan, and water pump.
I'd need more solar watts and a larger battery bank to run the 12V fridge for days, but this panel can help keep the fridge running during extended stops in travel, without dipping to deep into the battery. For example, when I tow the trailer to work, work for 9 hours, then head up north after.
Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk
It works well for charging up the trailer battery when camping without electrical hookup. It seems to be plenty to keep up with the usage of the lights, fan, and water pump.
I'd need more solar watts and a larger battery bank to run the 12V fridge for days, but this panel can help keep the fridge running during extended stops in travel, without dipping to deep into the battery. For example, when I tow the trailer to work, work for 9 hours, then head up north after.
Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk
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Corey
OverCamping Specialist
I have upgraded again, I took possession of the Overland Solar 120 watt folding one yesterday.
Owner Brian drove to my home and hand delivered it too, as he was on this side of the mountains, very cool.
He dropped by yesterday around 4 PM, and I tore into it to check it out, and read the paper work on it.
I have been using the Renogy 100 watt Suitcase one for a few years, but this one is a lot more efficient, and higher wattage output.
With the Renogy there are lines on the glass, there are no lines on the SunPower crystals of the Overland Solar setup, thus letting in more sunlight.
The case and panel itself are smaller than the Renogy, so my FJ will be happier not feeling so bloated inside when loaded up for a trip.
This comes stock with the red colored Anderson plugs, but my cable that goes from the 2nd battery in my dual battery setup has the gray Anderson SB50 plugs on it, so Brian swapped out the red ones Friday night before dropping it off to me on Saturday.
I had also bought a 30' extension from him earlier in the year, and he also had swapped it over to the gray ones.
It also comes with a short cable with Anderson plugs and alligator clips if your rig is not setup like mine with the hard wired cable (he carries these too) from the battery to my ARB bumper in which to plug in the solar panel.
I have heard nothing but great things about Brian's company, and the reviews over on his site are from some very happy customers.
My Renogy is pretty much sold already to a member/moderator over on my forum YotaTech, he should get many years out of it.
I am using a solar panel primarily to keep the Optima Yellowtop topped off as it runs the National Luna Weekender 50 Twin Fridge/Freezer.
Links:
Overland Solar
120 watt model
The new one takes up less space, very nice
Being a tri-fold it sits lower, but is hardly any longer than the Renogy, nice
And yes, that is the Dr Who Christmas special I am watching this morning that recorded on Christmas.
I had ran some tests with the Renogy back in April, and on my dual battery setup it had the 2nd battery up to 13.1v in no time.
Very anxious to test out the new Overland Solar one since it is suppose to gather in more light and output more power.
Owner Brian drove to my home and hand delivered it too, as he was on this side of the mountains, very cool.
He dropped by yesterday around 4 PM, and I tore into it to check it out, and read the paper work on it.
I have been using the Renogy 100 watt Suitcase one for a few years, but this one is a lot more efficient, and higher wattage output.
With the Renogy there are lines on the glass, there are no lines on the SunPower crystals of the Overland Solar setup, thus letting in more sunlight.
The case and panel itself are smaller than the Renogy, so my FJ will be happier not feeling so bloated inside when loaded up for a trip.
This comes stock with the red colored Anderson plugs, but my cable that goes from the 2nd battery in my dual battery setup has the gray Anderson SB50 plugs on it, so Brian swapped out the red ones Friday night before dropping it off to me on Saturday.
I had also bought a 30' extension from him earlier in the year, and he also had swapped it over to the gray ones.
It also comes with a short cable with Anderson plugs and alligator clips if your rig is not setup like mine with the hard wired cable (he carries these too) from the battery to my ARB bumper in which to plug in the solar panel.
I have heard nothing but great things about Brian's company, and the reviews over on his site are from some very happy customers.
My Renogy is pretty much sold already to a member/moderator over on my forum YotaTech, he should get many years out of it.
I am using a solar panel primarily to keep the Optima Yellowtop topped off as it runs the National Luna Weekender 50 Twin Fridge/Freezer.
Links:
Overland Solar
120 watt model
The new one takes up less space, very nice
Being a tri-fold it sits lower, but is hardly any longer than the Renogy, nice
And yes, that is the Dr Who Christmas special I am watching this morning that recorded on Christmas.
I had ran some tests with the Renogy back in April, and on my dual battery setup it had the 2nd battery up to 13.1v in no time.
Very anxious to test out the new Overland Solar one since it is suppose to gather in more light and output more power.
PacificNorthWestJeeper
Blissfully Lost
How is the Overland Solar 120 performing?
Would the case it is stored in keep the panels safe in the back of a trailer going offload with a bunch of other stuff beating up against it?
thank you
Would the case it is stored in keep the panels safe in the back of a trailer going offload with a bunch of other stuff beating up against it?
thank you
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
My first trip out will be in August, so I will have a full report on it then.
The case is pretty good, and I think as long as the unit is stored upright it should be fine.
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
Cannot remember off the top of my head.
Last time I had the panels open it was at Christmas time.
There should be info on the controller on his website.
St8ton
Well-known member
I run a Yeti 1000 in my JKU powering an ARB 50L and multiple cameras, drones, phones, and other random things. I've got a Renogy 100w mounted to my Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform all the time charging the Yeti. When I'm base camped I also add in my Goal Zero 100w briefcase panel. Works great.
