• Have you tried out dark mode?! Scroll to the bottom of any page to find a sun or moon icon to turn dark mode on or off!

diy solar

diy solar

Most reacted posts

  • Post in thread: Very pleased with my system

    My goal was to be able to live normally for a minimum of 3 days with no solar input. Three days wasn't a completely random number, last year while traveling, we had 3 days of heavy cloud cover and almost constant rain/sleet/snow. I struggled with everything, including limited battery capacity...
  • Post in thread: IT WORKS!

    Thank you to everyone who put up and answered my seemingly endless questions. This was an extremely steep learning curve, as I knew nothing about solar, and enough about electrical to make sparks happen. I was able to keep the 5th wheel operational with the two existing 100ah batteries and...
  • Post in thread: Ever wonder what a solar eclipse looks like to the system?

    First time I've ever seen one, it was pretty kewl.
  • Post in thread: Multiplus-II AC wires pull out easily!?

    Sigh. I struggled with this myself. First get rid of the ferrule. MP doesn't seem to like those. 2nd, make sure the stripped distance is long enough. IRC it's 3/4", and I made mine ever so slightly longer. Once I got rid of the ferrules, and stopped trying to release the clamp and just...
  • Post in thread: True testing of my system

    Even after inadvertently leaving the electric hot water heater energized my 600ah and 1200w did very well after 48 hours of normal living. My goal was 72 hours, and it looks like I'm well on my road to success. Decided to let the fridge run off electric, and it uses a lot more watts than I was...
  • Post in thread: Panel wiring with shading

    Somebody sent me a most interesting panel configuration. Panels are hard mounted (not adjustable) where he lifted the center mounts to the height of the AC and other crap on the roof. Now, this puts one side, as being much lower production than the other side. In the winter, I'd expect very...
  • Post in thread: Mounting Solar Panels on RV with Curved Roof

    you really hit the nail on the head that most people don't understand, wind resistance is NOT linear to speed. to use your example, even 3% is not measurable in real world driving. Wind, elevation, barametric conditions, speed, and even fuel can disrupt the measurements. I'm a recently a...
  • Post in thread: RV Solar Design Advice

    With that much roof space, go big. Plan to use a rail system to mount the panels, and push them all the way to the outside edge. Leave some walking room to get on the roof to do repairs as needed. I would rethink using the existing equipment. My intermediate step was to do exactly that. I...
  • Post in thread: Cycling Degradation VS Calendar Aging w/ LiFePO4 Batteries Used for Solar Application

    .223 will cut that in half :) Will, some great detail in the analysis. I love seeing REAL DATA, not opinions. I got into with a guy on a FB page today, who insisted deep discharge would damage LFP batteries, and even admitted his one off anecdotal experience was with a battery that had a bad...
  • Post in thread: Converting propane fridge to 12v compressor

    The actual part cost for my model was $795. I chose the installation option, 1st because it was only $250, and 2nd because they are only a hour away from me. That and right now I'm on weight restriction from surgery for several more weeks. We looked at all the options, and putting in the same...
  • Post in thread: Don't under size your wires

    I was wrong. Dragonfly was wrong. Short story, six 100ah batteries in parallel config, feeding MPII 2x. When I first assembled the system, I stress tested the system measuring wire and connector temperature. My worst measurement was +15F over ambient. I declared it good, and everything was...
  • Post in thread: Limited amp output from Progressive 9160

    Found more of the issue, wire connection to the charger, is an issue, almost 0.5v at that connector. I put a ferrule on the wire (larger strands), and tightened it down, and saw an immediate improvement. It appears the neg wire runs back to the fuse panel, but not to the buss bar. I'll have...
  • Post in thread: Converting propane fridge to 12v compressor

    My issues with propane accelerated this winter while snow birding. It literally became a daily challenge to keep it running. Potpourri of issues like build up on spark igniter to some unknown issue with coolant flow, to just being cantankerous. I knew putting in the 12v compressor system would...
  • Post in thread: What Type Of Nut To Use In A Mobile Install

    Nope, they are totally useless. They flat out don't work. Since you're in a stationary application, you can use just a flat washer if you need the added contact area. The theory is the spring from the split puts a longitudinal load on the connection. There is almost zero additional force on...
  • Post in thread: Microair EasyStart

    For my TT running on a 2500w generator, i installed microair easystart. aircon went from stalling the generator to running fine. . Got a bit more interesting in the 5th wheel Multiplus II 2x. It would start the aircon, but MP went into overload, and I was scrambling to shut off anything 120v...
  • Post in thread: Is it safe to have a 30a to 50a adapter connected with the Victron multi plus II?

    very few RV's have 240V. It's a rarity that generally only shows up in the super expensive Class A's.
  • Post in thread: Very pleased with my system

    MP II 2x 600ah battery 1200w solar I sized it for 3 days with no solar and no AC nor resistance heat. Going into day 5 of heavy cloud cover and rain. I probably would have made it, but one day I turned the fridge to electric, and used up what little I was getting off of solar to run the...
  • Post in thread: Victron Multiplus II Assisting

    If you haven't already, look at MicroAir EasyStart product. I had it on my first TT, and just ordered it for my 5th wheel link
  • Post in thread: Question: victron 100v 50a. 24v solar panel. how many panels can I use?

    I received confirmation from Rich Solar that it is in fact supposed to be C, and they are going to fix it.
  • Post in thread: Can you offer advice on an expandable RV setup?

    Push the panels all the way to the outer edge. You can see shadows from the aircon units, shadows are devastating to a panels output. With as many panels as you have, I'd look at a rail system. Carefully consider how they are going to be wired and the impact to the system. I don't have...
  • Post in thread: Finally got the panels mounted

    Thank you to everybody that has been helping with my difficult 5th wheel installation. If you're just joining, I'm already at 13'5", so higher was not an option. Total of six panels in two independent strings (driv/pass sides), 24v 200w panels. The drivers side, I left enough room for on...
  • Post in thread: Starting 12V Absorbtion Fridge on Battery

    If my fridge fails, that will be on my list... however, since I said that, the fridge will never fail!
  • Post in thread: Lessons learned

    Well written as I have gone from knowing nothing to putting together a system I'm hoping to be proud of. hopefully smoke test will be in a couple of days. I did tire of the absolutes without reasoning. I'll question everything as I'm learning, it was a process that served me well in my...
  • Post in thread: Spam Attacks

    Thank you for all you and the mods do!
  • Post in thread: cleaning your panels - system off?

    I gained about 40% improvement after a long period of no rain, lot of dust and pollen on the panels flat on the roof of the 5th wheel
  • Post in thread: Victron is Over-priced Eurotrash. Why would anybody buy Victron over an AiO?

    As I came to realize my 5th wheel factory installed system was woefully inadequate, started down the path of Victron and Battleborn. Yes they both cost a lot more, but the system just works wonderfully well. Dragonfly put up with my hundreds of questions, and the system worked perfectly well...
  • Post in thread: Need to update MP II 2x firmware

    RV Airflow Improver. An expensive piece of hard foam that smooths out the airflow It's been measured to improve airflow up to 40%. Makes a HUGE diff. Perfect. I'll just limit power to a small amount and if I need 2nd AC, it is powered off of L2. I'll have to figure out what else is...
  • Post in thread: Lets try this again...walmart replaced my dc batteries.

    Are you allowing the SOC to drop below 50% (12.2v). If so, the discharge is damaging the batteries.
  • Post in thread: 12V flooded battery - what voltage to not go below?

    AGM are not much better. GC2 can work a little better, but they don't handle high amperage loads as well as 12V. Just get the lithium and be done.
  • Post in thread: Calculating Inverter to Batter Cable Size and Fuse Size

    Same inverter I installed the weekend. Mine did come with 2 AWG cables. I installed those for now.
  • Post in thread: Weird Negative Power Spike

    Here's the detail graph. I've cross posted to victron site. If we could only harness this recorded energy :) .
  • Post in thread: Converting propane fridge to 12v compressor

    We looked at doing what you did, your unit would have been a perfect fit. however, we both like the decor of the factory nevercold. I wanted DC, because even when I'm hooked up to park power, I tend to run 120v off of park power, and DC off of battery. If I'd get off my rear, and do the...
  • Post in thread: Connection wires

    Are the wires UV stabilized
  • Post in thread: Getting wire down from roof

    Got the wires down today... it was a bit challenging. I wanted to use a cute aerodynamic gland housing, but just couldn't find one big enough for 4 8mm wires. So, my project box combiner is partially in the slip stream, with wires to SCC coming up through the bottom of the box. Was able to...
  • Post in thread: What is an acceptable temp increase on battery terminals?

    150a/6 batteries is 25a per battery, System in perfect conditions is capable of roughly 200a total, or 33a per battery. Battery case temps matched ambient.
  • Post in thread: "Solar ready" RVs, experiences? What inline fuses?

    Sigh, I have found more bad connections than I care to find. I finally had to turn my 120v 60a Lithium battery charger on, and I'm getting a whopping 25a out of it. Something is wrong somewhere. Most everything is being replaced with my upgrades, so hopefully that whole circuit will be disabled.
  • Post in thread: Found loose bolts attaching panels to z bracket

    I pulled off the Rich Solar 12v panels and replaced them with 24v. I was shocked to find two attachment screws that worked their way loose :( Guess this will have to be an annual inspection point. It's kind of late to think about loctite in my setup. I really don't want to pull the panels...
  • Post in thread: Zamp 3 Port ATP Roof Mount

    Did you check the price of Zamp solar panels? Holy brown stuff, must be gold plated. Each SAE connector is rated for 20a.. I'm completely pulling out all the Zamp stuff and redoing the solar.
  • Post in thread: Limited amp output from Progressive 9160

    Top wire is the parallel connection to the top battery. Everything else is going through shunt. Two wires connected to shunt, one to the trailers buss bar (previously connected to battery), 2nd wire is connected to the inverter (which is currently turned off).
  • Post in thread: Victron VRM solar irradiance forecast

    How did you get the line graph? I see the bar chart in the dashboard, and it's remarkably accurate. The only change I'd like to see, and it may be a bit more complicated to achieve, forecast battery SOC.
  • Post in thread: RV Cable entry / roof gland

    Generis, I'm constrained on height, width, and junk running down the entire center of the roof. I decided on 2 strings of 1S3P and going with two SCC. As much as I hate two SCC, given some of the physical constraints, this came out to be the best solution. I did go with 24v panels on 12v...
  • Post in thread: Getting wire down from roof

    I decided to run two independent strings. If I had gone with one SCC, I could have used existing wires. BUT, it was the desire to keep pass and driv side strings independent. Right this second, I'm regretting that decision :)
  • Post in thread: Looking for the most simple solution. Bring your wisdom

    Incorrect, a 50a trailer is actually 50a on EACH leg, for a total of 100a. Look at the circuit breakers, there are two breakers, each one is listed at 50a. Also Multiplus is 3000VA, not 3000w, distinct difference.
  • Post in thread: MP II 12v 2x 120v Virtual Switch questions

    Ok, after rates go down tonight, I'll turn the charger back on and bring SOC back up Loads are a lot lighter right now We were overcast for most of yesterday, and peak solar was up from before the dirty panels were cleaned. Today is supposed to be full sun, but wind will be high which creates...
  • Post in thread: multiplus II. 50A fifth wheel

    I have 1200w/600ah, and mostly pleased. My personal experience, 400ah can be a bit light. I find 600ah gives me enough head room for multiple days in a row with little to no solar collection. I'm seriously considering increasing my solar to 1600. As a test I let my propane fridge run on...
  • Post in thread: Can you offer advice on an expandable RV setup?

    I'm finishing an "upgrade" on my 5th wheel. Few things I've learned, from the factory and my first upgrade. This upgrade is ripping out everything and starting over. First and this is not something to take lightly, pay very close attention to how close you are to things like air conditioning...
  • Post in thread: My Dometic RV fridge is sucking my batteries dry and I can't determine why?!

    I have one of those little fans inside the fridge. It also helps a lot.
  • Post in thread: Understanding power assist in MPII 2x

    Generator is 2200w running, 2500 peak. I turned it down to quiet it down a bit. I'm wondering if there's a muffler issue, it's louder than I remember. We were at a harvest host, which did allow generators. I found 10a to kind of be a sweet spot between too loud and still holding it's own on...
  • Post in thread: Sizing Solar Cells for Couple Full-time Boondocking

    why do you need a shut off between SCC and BUSS BAR (not battery)? If you shut off inbound solar energy, there's not reason for a separate shut off
  • Post in thread: 24v Panels, 12v Batteries?

    Those are 12v panels. VOC on 24v panels would be 43-46ish volts To directly answer your question, my 24v panels are 46voc running through a victron 100/50 to a 12v battery bank. There is a slight advantage with 24v panels over 12v panels... but you have to watch out for exceed max volts on...

diy solar

diy solar
Back
Top