diy solar

diy solar

All In One options

Huntfun

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Feb 25, 2021
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I am brand new to this forum and solar along with minimal electric understanding compared to most on this forum. I have looked but not been able to find a thread that answers my needs.

I have a 25' enclosed V noise utility trailer that has some interior and exterior LED lights that are only powered by my truck when connected. I want to change this so I can use solar and home/camp ground power when not connect to truck. I will be adding interior and exterior outlets to run items/appliances and roof exhaust fan. At this stage I do not plan to install an air conditioner but want to have the ability if exhaust fan is not able to keep things cool enough. Will be insulating roof, walls and underbelly. My plan is to keep the unit as a utility use and a bare bones camper. I have been doing a lot of learning online on components to make this happen. Then I came across Will's all-in-one videos and, unless I am convinced this is the wrong route, I am sold on the simplicity and space saving benefits of an All In One. My plan is to do a 12v system but, as noted, want to be able to use appliances that require 110. So, as best I can tell, it will be a low demand system.

The only all in one units I know of are the ones Will reviewed but the fan noise he pointed out is a concern given it's an open space.

Any reason I should not go with an all in one?

What other options (brand and model) are out there that I should consider?

Is one brand better than another?
 
downsides of the all in ones is the amp draw at idle is higher than some component built systems and the fan noises on some are pretty loud, and most all in ones dont have alot of "peak power" and if one part fails its not as easy as swaping out an inverter or charge controller in a component system (still can be done just not as easy)

brands there are many, magnum, victron, aims are all pretty widely used and a good place to start your research
 
Thank you very mcuh for jumping in and helping me out! I was starting to feel my post was too elementary. This stuff is fascinating to me but boy do I have so much to learn.

iamrich...Yes, I plan to run solar and be able to run off battiers (charged by solar) and hook up to my house or campground to power trailer and charge batteries if solar is not doing job.

2009Bounder2020...I have read and watched countless youtube videos on putting together these systems with seperate componets. What I have come away with is:
1. It is difficult (for me) to know I am getting all the components correct for my needs (I am sure i could put them all together based on diagrams and YouTube if I knew I had all the right components)
2. Doing separate components seems to take up a lot of space with lots of wires.
Totally agree a big downside to AIO is if one component dies it will be much more difficult, and maybe more costly, to fix.

I have not decided 100% yet to go AIO but they are very attractive to me for reasons outlined. The noise factor concerns me but I can always enclose the unit to deaden noise if it is too bothersome.

I am wondering is of the AIO units that would meet my electrical needs, which I do not believe is much, is any brand better than another?

I believe the PPT Solar PIP-812LV-MS, that Will has a link to from his website to, would meet my needs. Agree? Does anyone else make one that is comparable? More reliable? I just want to know my options so I can research them and then decide if I go AIO or separate components.

Thanks again for your help and guidance!
 
I would wait for the PIP-1012LV-MS is that is the way you are going to go. It is basically the same thing, but with a higher wattage rating on AC out (1000w vs 800W).

I have the MPP Hybrid LV2424, ~250ah of LiFePo4 batteries, and 2250w of panels. I can generate about 5-8kw of power on a good sunny day, and use about 4-5kw of batteries at night, and then fire up my little generator if needed. I've got about $3k into the system. So far I have only been using three panels and the batteries have always been charged. I was able to run a small 5000btu AC unit without any issues, although I don't know how long it would go if I ran it at night. If you plan to hook into campground power though it's no issue. You might even be able to run your LED lighting off the 24V as most LEDs I Have seen are good from about 10-30V DC.

Basically this one, but the green hybrid instead of the white one:
 
If you eventually want to run AC, need to plan that now.

Really need to do an energy audit, especially for the Air Conditioner. I have a 35' RV with two ACs and live in the hot desert southwest where AC runs through the night, so if you need AC at night, that really ups the battery requirements, and it will still take a lot of solar production to keep up with AC, and then there's the problem of charging the batteries and having a bank big enough.

I have 225 usable AHs in my FLA battery bank, and my microwave pulls 155 amps when running, and I think my AC would pull between 100 amps and 155 amps, and my solar panels can only push 60 amps, so anytime I would run AC, I'm draining from the battery even at high noon. If I had an AC it would need to take no more power than my K-Cup coffee maker that pulls 55 amps. My system can produce that for two or three hours on a sunny day before there is just not enough sunshine.

There's other problems like a start up surge to deal with that requires a much bigger AC.

There was a mini-split AC video that claimed around 500 watts continuous for something that I think was smaller than your 25' trailer. He had every square inch of the roof of his trailer covered and both sides of his trailer had slide out solar panels.
 
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