I have a thread about my trailer build but figured I would share the specifics of the solar system here. I have an IT/networking background so I love low-voltage systems and this is my first off-grid solar set up. I originally designed this system to live inside a mobile network crate but the weight of the battery and the time to deploy was too great. The Leitner GearPOD's are a new addition to my trailer build but they make a perfect home for this sort of equipment. I lost some storage space but what a time saver, now I just deploy the panels remotely and plug them in.
The system lives inside a GearPOD dual which are roto-molded hdp boxes. Great for storage but just empty voids so no easy way to hang anything from. Mounting consists of a sheet of 5052 alloy for the back panel then two small panels that hang from alloy angles up front. They are removable so I can work or modify the system as needed. I used hex standoffs on the back panel with SS black coated flanged button head socket cap screws to secure them. All screws/penetrations are sealed with gaskets or marine grade black silicone adhesive/sealant to ensure weather resistance. To mount the electronics on the panels I used a combination of screws from the back and rivet-nuts with more SS fasteners.
The system is comprised of a 200 mah AGM battery, 30 amp charge controller w/blue tooth, 4-100w solar panels, 1000w inverter and DC power distro to 6 fused circuits. When I originally bought the system it was designed to be mobile so I went smaller on the capacity. Now that it's fixed and I have a huge battery I can upgrade the controller and inverter at a later date. Once you have power off-grid you find more and more uses for it! My upcoming trip will be the first big test of the system so I'm looking forward to that. Not sure how the inverter will like running in the desert in a black box so I plan to monitor the temps. The next big mod is to add a SwitchPros SP9100 which will allow for keypad or blue tooth remote control of 8 switched circuits. This will run exterior lighting, water pump, etc.
A few more details; the battery connects to the box using an Anderson Power Pole connector and 4 awg welding cable. The battery temp sensor is connected via IP76 waterproof connector. The two system can be easily removed/isolated independently if needed. A 150 amp circuit breaker protect the battery from the entire system. The charge controller, solar panels and DC distro are all protected with circuit breaker switches as well. A Blue Sea Systems battery volt meter panel is mounted externally to allow a quick check of the system and I swapped the included 12v cig plug for a 2 amp dual port USB receptacle. I reused the cig lighter socket near the battery connection to connect a solar battery maintainer that moves around vehicles at my shop. Two 1/4" terminal 4 position Blue Sea buss bars tie all the positive and negative leads together.
The system lives inside a GearPOD dual which are roto-molded hdp boxes. Great for storage but just empty voids so no easy way to hang anything from. Mounting consists of a sheet of 5052 alloy for the back panel then two small panels that hang from alloy angles up front. They are removable so I can work or modify the system as needed. I used hex standoffs on the back panel with SS black coated flanged button head socket cap screws to secure them. All screws/penetrations are sealed with gaskets or marine grade black silicone adhesive/sealant to ensure weather resistance. To mount the electronics on the panels I used a combination of screws from the back and rivet-nuts with more SS fasteners.
The system is comprised of a 200 mah AGM battery, 30 amp charge controller w/blue tooth, 4-100w solar panels, 1000w inverter and DC power distro to 6 fused circuits. When I originally bought the system it was designed to be mobile so I went smaller on the capacity. Now that it's fixed and I have a huge battery I can upgrade the controller and inverter at a later date. Once you have power off-grid you find more and more uses for it! My upcoming trip will be the first big test of the system so I'm looking forward to that. Not sure how the inverter will like running in the desert in a black box so I plan to monitor the temps. The next big mod is to add a SwitchPros SP9100 which will allow for keypad or blue tooth remote control of 8 switched circuits. This will run exterior lighting, water pump, etc.
A few more details; the battery connects to the box using an Anderson Power Pole connector and 4 awg welding cable. The battery temp sensor is connected via IP76 waterproof connector. The two system can be easily removed/isolated independently if needed. A 150 amp circuit breaker protect the battery from the entire system. The charge controller, solar panels and DC distro are all protected with circuit breaker switches as well. A Blue Sea Systems battery volt meter panel is mounted externally to allow a quick check of the system and I swapped the included 12v cig plug for a 2 amp dual port USB receptacle. I reused the cig lighter socket near the battery connection to connect a solar battery maintainer that moves around vehicles at my shop. Two 1/4" terminal 4 position Blue Sea buss bars tie all the positive and negative leads together.
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