Skoolie solar install thread

Aakelley · Mar 18, 2022

Starting a thread to share the solar install I’m doing in my skoolie. Today I completed the battery box and fake wall (to run the wires behind and give the inverter more air space over head).

The battery box is lined with 1/4” hardie board. The short wall has a gap of ~2” to allow DC wires to run behind it and under, up into the lynx. The Lynx is just sitting there - will be installed on wall. Where the lynx is will be the switch, fuse and negative terminal block.

Still waiting for some parts to come in (fuse holder) so next update might be a while.

All comments and suggestions welcome. First build of any size so trying to do it as right as I can.

timselectric · Mar 18, 2022

Looks nice.
Going to be a clean install.
Especially the solo cup junction box. lol

Aakelley · Mar 18, 2022

Also temporary ;-)

timselectric · Mar 18, 2022

I like the false wall design.

Aakelley · Mar 20, 2022

Roughed in some more of the 120 and hung the inverter temporarily to function check everything.

Pulled the wires that were running to the starting battery from the 12v block (it was used as the leisure battery too) to hookup to the 24/12 Orion once it comes in.

Installed the ground array solar gland and ran some 8awg to a handy box and up to the disconnect. Ran the rest of the 8awg to the same box and set it in the back to run to the roof later.

Heading to the hardware store to get some more flex conduit couplers and will finish up the 120vac and the solar wiring to the growatt sometime this week.

That’s probably all I can do until the fuse block comes in.

Aakelley · Mar 27, 2022

Got the chassis ground wire run today which allowed me to do the permanent install on the growatt. That flexible conduit is anything but. 0/10 would not recommend.

timselectric · Mar 27, 2022

Yup, that's a tight bend. But, it looks great.

Aakelley · Mar 31, 2022

Got the breaker, block, battery disconnect and lynx installed today. Might get the second battery put in later and then finish up the solar wiring.

Do I need to cover up the breaker block with something since those terminals are exposed?

timselectric · Mar 31, 2022

I would. Just to avoid accidental contact.
Sometimes things shift or fall on to things.

timselectric · Mar 31, 2022

Any type of barrier will do.
Even plexiglass.

Aakelley · Mar 31, 2022

timselectric said:
Any type of barrier will do.
Even plexiglass.

Yep, will probably get some standoffs of some sort and just cover the top with a piece of plexiglass.

timselectric · Mar 31, 2022

Try to keep it as easy access, too.
In case you need to shut off power, quickly.

Aakelley · Mar 31, 2022

timselectric said:
Try to keep it as easy access, too.
In case you need to shut off power, quickly.

Yeah, was gonna just cover the "top", which would allow a "reach around / under" to switch off power.

timselectric · Mar 31, 2022

Aakelley said:
Yeah, was gonna just cover the "top", which would allow a "reach around / under" to switch off power.

Perfect
It's coming along nicely.

Aakelley · Apr 8, 2022

Got the second EG4 hauled out and installed temporarily. Going to add some spacers so it’s not sitting right on top of the other one. Added the fuses to the lynx.

Still thinking about what to use to cover the breaker and common negative.

Probably work on the ground solar array next and start to capture some free electricity.

DerpsyDoodler · Apr 8, 2022

Nice work. Is that whole area going to be a cabinet enclosure? Are you putting panels on the roof, as well? What made you opt for the growatt?

Aakelley · Apr 8, 2022

Yep - not sure how I will enclose - at least a curtain, but maybe a door. 6 x 265 watt on the roof and 4 x 265 ground array when we’re stationary for a while. Read up on the growatt and weekend “good enough” and then signature solar ran a package deal over Christmas that sealed the deal.

timselectric · Apr 8, 2022

Very nice. Getting closer, all of the time.

DerpsyDoodler · Apr 8, 2022

Aakelley said:
Yep - not sure how I will enclose - at least a curtain, but maybe a door.

With the price of wood right now, I don't blame you.

Aakelley said:
6 x 265 watt on the roof and 4 x 265 ground array when we’re stationary for a while.

Nice. I've got 6 x 250s on my tour bus conversion. At some point I plan to upgrade or maybe add a ground array.

Aakelley said:
Read up on the growatt and weekend “good enough” and then signature solar ran a package deal over Christmas that sealed the deal.

Everyone likes a deal!

Heads up: If you plan to connect shore and/or generator to the growatt, pay extra close attention to neutral/ground bonding. I've seen some complaints by people in the know about how growatt's (and other AIO's) handling of this can be unsafe under certain circumstances, but I am not completely clear on the details. Ping filterguy to learn more.

Looking forward to more pics of your progress.

Aakelley · Apr 8, 2022

Yeah the 2x3s about killed me.

Appreciate the heads up on neutral ground bonding and have read filterguys docs. Honestly still looking for a good link to a continuous duty relay to use.

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