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Thanks for posting. I was just noticing these wild claims on Amazon, as I am about to power a small work/storage shed. Already have a huge system on one of my RV trailers. There are some on Amazon claiming to be Renogy panels, and claiming 400 and 600w PER panel, on that same 46 x 21 dimension...

You want max power per square inch. When you spread the weight across all the roof structure points, weight really isn't an issue. I have 12 -250W Sunpower panels on an elevated (aluminum) structure I built, with aluminum tilt frames, on the 24' of roof I have on my GD 24MPR Toy Hauler. No...

Yeah I'm actually surprised no manufacturer has tried moving to the mini splits. That alone would be a game-changer.

The challenge then (split systems) becomes where to mount the units. There often is not wall space for the units inside, and nowhere for the compressors, particularly in 5th wheel trailers. I've seen people sacrifice nearly all their storage in coaches, but then you challenge your ability to...

Yeah, true power independence is not happening in these small arrays. On my first trailer, Solar IS my primary, but must be supplemented with a generator at times to bring charge state up. I have yet to see a system as large as mine, and it still needs help. 3kw of Sun Power 250w panels at 22%...

I dont spend as much time on highway lately, but when I did, towing with a 6.7 powerstroke, I saw no real measurable difference in mpg. Towing at 85mph across Dakotas with wind would have me slow 5-10mph once I had the panels elevated. For me, its not totally about $ saved but also independence...

With that kind of specialised application, it makes sense. What about glass panels mounted to roof and a short flashing down sides for aesthetics? Flexible panels are just so non energy dense. I get the looks thing… my trailer stands out with its giant superstructure on the roof, but I dont...

The flexible panels though, especially in a power per square inch factoring (critical on rv roof), are radically inferior. A 72x40 SunPower Maxeon 5 is 425w. And at an efficiency of 22.8%. Takes a lot of flexible panels, eating a lot of real estate, to do that. That roof in pic...10 Maxeon...

When they are secured well, its not a concern. Mine are elevated around a foot, allowing a lot of air beneath them.

Yes I have lost a couple thumbscrews & nuts, so check and tighten them much mote often. I had a panel flip over and bend a tilt frame on a trip with high wind on the road.

Yeah I have tilt frames now, and have thought if I ever get time, I’ll design something with small servos to tilt them. The trick is ensuring they are locked down tight in any position due to winds from either travel or Stationary.

Yeah it can be rough, but being a perpetual nomad and owning a business in Sedona now, I can't always ensure not being in the heat... which really doesn't bother me like it does many. Rain is my kryptonite! Costa Rica generally gets my nod as the place I like best, even in some of the rain...

I pay a good friend to do the TIG welding, as I’m just a hobby guy with MIG, stick, etc. And… I’m a global nomad. No more house, shop, etc so I have to do all this on the road… driveways, parking lots, etc.

Yeah, panels not going anywhere! Lol. Wicked storm tested that again last night. The next project is another rig, starting from scratch, so I have nothing to start with. Because an RV is all about max production per square inch, not having option to “simply add more panels”, the bifacials are...

Yes on RV, but like my current one, they will be elevated about 1’

My next project will likely be as many biofacial 425-450w panels as I can possibly squeeze onto a 43’ toy hauler

The panels are high enough over a-c that there is no real airflow issue. Venting of a/c is through side, and there is no real restriction. Other RV’ers are surprised how cool I can keep it in 120degree AZ summer heat. I run a/c waaaay less. That with my max aire fans to circulate in push/pull...

So here are a few in different stages of the panel install. 12 250w SunPower panels. 2s6p config running through a combiner box. Nice benefit I had not considered has been shading of a/c from direct sun, as well as roof. Need a/c less and trailer cools faster and stays cooler in summer.

The nice thing about uni-strut and tilt frames is that you simply get them in a general area and spacing, using the joists as anchor points for bolting it down, then the cage nuts allow flexibility in length of panel, and tilt frames allow flexibility in width. No need for "precise" placement...

Personally, I went with a 48v 16s with 280ah cells. Not that much more than the 90ah cells. Way more storage. Don't cheap out on a BMS either. I like my Overkill Solar BMS... can't recall... $150-ish? If I don't go with server racks batteries on this next build, I'll probably up the cells to the...

I put my 48v 16s in between frame rails underneath the trailer, in an aluminum cage I welded up, that swings down in case I need to replace a cell, which did happen once. Otherwise, in its secured position I can easily get to the posts of the cells for top balancing, etc. Totally out of the way.

I use Sunpower 250W panels that are I believe 32 or 34" wide. I have 3kw on my roof. 12 panels.

What I did, which is not cheap or easy, was elevate the entire array by building an aluminum structure, and welding tabs on the base. This way you can cut angles if needed, but in my case, the angle was not so much that I needed to. I welded top plates on the supports, then bolted strut channel...

How much solar collection do you have? What do you typically use? For how long? Your question is wildly general If you use a hairdryer, blender, and microwave you’ll kill it real fast. Will you power fridge with it? How about water heater? Running a coffee pot in the morning? That much power can...

Victron just too far out of range on pricing for most of us mortals. I'd never see the ROI on the system. Ian seemed to indicate 3 MPP's could do the trick. I could hold it to 2 except for the limitation of array input. 2 for the 240v system and 1 for the 120v and shore/gen charging help when...

Yeah nowhere near sufficient and at a ridiculous cost. Im sure victron is good… but you’d have to go through a lot of other inverters and batteries before matching the cost. Doesn’t seem worth it.

Good points. Yea the 240v will only be for one appliance and likely nearly always during daylight. I’ll run just the one new circuit for it, with a breaker of course. Enjoyed Will’s videos on the EG4 units. Fun part will be finding room for all those inverters! Anyone know how loud fans are on...

Rocketman makes a good point. I built a 48v battery out of 16- 280ah cells that fits nicely between the frame rails under the garage floor of my trailer. Yes, my underside is insulated, so not greatest access, but once built, you don't really need to be accessing it. I built an aluminum frame...

No, thats smaller than what I have and totally insufficient for my needs. I‘ll look though at the brand and see if they offer something. I‘ll be collecting 5-6kw minimum. Separate charging and trying to make them communicate effectively is just too complicated for my pea brain. I like simple and...

So kinda back to square one after some emailing with Ian. It sounds as though I will need one or two paralleled units for the 240v appliance, and one 120V unit for the 120V and 12V loads and battery charging? And the 2 or 3 all communicating so that whatever shore or generator power is required...

Makes sense. I was just gonna write him. One challenge I just discovered in going over specs of the 6048 and paralleled 3048's is the limit on array input. They cite 4kw, and I will be at least 5-6kw... more if I can sort out a way to do it. Leaving me to believe the big Growatt 12kw home unit...

Hey! That cell has worked well, thanks. She's in storage again now while I'm out of country again for a bit. Ah, yeah the short of L1 and L2 would be a problem, so I'll have to make a custom adapter for sure. Shoot, had forgotten to factor idle draw of larger inverter. Definitely gonna have...

So I've built and am using a 3kw, 48v LifePo system on a 30A RV. Works great, loving it. But, as life is ever evolving, am finding myself needing to upgrade the size of my Trailer to a much larger one, for new purposes and to accommodate the new family. Which means back to the drawing board for...

I use an MPP LV3048 with my 48V system on my RV. 30A RV system. I plug into shore occasionally and allow grid to help charge. Super simple to wire in. Just interrupt the shore plug wire before your panel, splice in extension wires to go to your AC IN on the all-in-one. Then AC OUT goes to the...

I have built and successfully use a system like you are looking to build. On an RV, full off-grid living, with times where I can plug in and use whatever shore power is available to assist/replace charging. Its WAY easier than I thought, and is being written about here. I use an MPP LV3048...