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  1. BobH

    RV Onan 5500 LP Starting with Lifepo4 Batteries

    The generator cranking draw & my hydraulic levelers are the reason I kept my AGM battery connected to the 12v side in my RV.
  2. BobH

    Finally going to go solar, questions and ideas.

    If you are running an absorption style fridge on electric, then this is a typical load (at least on mine). As already stated, it will drain your desired battery bank over night.
  3. BobH

    Removing panels from renogy Z brackets without removing the brackets?

    Here's my n=1 experience with dicor and bolts: it will eventually harden and crack from expansion & contraction as well as vibration around fasteners. I assume that when visible cracks are seen, they were first hairline micro-cracks for quite some time. Believe me, water will find its way into...
  4. BobH

    Removing panels from renogy Z brackets without removing the brackets?

    Test mineral spirits on your roof surface. It may not remove hardened dicor, but it will eventually remove soft stuff.
  5. BobH

    Removing panels from renogy Z brackets without removing the brackets?

    Given the minimal amount of sealant you used on the brackets, I would just unscrew them from the roof, then seal and remount in the same holes. I can see potential water intrusion paths around the bolt heads in your pics.
  6. BobH

    24V or 48V Server Rack?

    One consideration for most solar charge controls is that the input voltage to the SCC/MPPT from the solar has to be ~5V higher than the scc to begin charging. So for a 48v battery, the solar would need to be whatever the battery state is (example 51.2V + ~ 5V = 56.2V from the solar array)...
  7. BobH

    Efficiency questions for 24v RV system install- Feeding current 2 different ways

    Is your converter & 12v DC loads/fuse panel an all-in-one? If so, remove the Converter AC and feed the DC fuse panel with the 12v from a 24v-12v step down. My converter in my rig was separate, so I just removed it and replaced it with a 24v/12V 70A Victron Orion. Works like a charm...
  8. BobH

    Any reason I should "not" install the physically largest panels on the roof of our travel trailer?

    I recently installed six 450W (82" x 41") on my 5th wheel. I used commercial roof racking (Tamarack) to mount them with 6 connection points per panel (3 rails). I could have gone with twelve 200W panels in the same area, but chose the larger ones because it reduced the roof penetrations and...
  9. BobH

    What is the simplest way to mount three of these panels to my shingle roof?

    On the ground would be the winner. If that was an option, there is no way I would consider roof mounting them.
  10. BobH

    good panel brands and ....

    I'm sure A1 doesn't give the exact location of their warehouses until you order is to prevent potential customers from contacting the locations and arranging the purchase through the local solar companies. At least that's what I've concluded in the Tampa, FL area where there are dozens, if not...
  11. BobH

    good panel brands and ....

    I bought 6 - 450 W ZNShine panels from A1 Solar. I chose those because they were available locally, and were the highest wattage that fit the available space on my RV. They seems decent for the money given they are chinese built. A1 Solar contracts with local solar distributors to handle the...
  12. BobH

    Building a new 16p 48v battery + solar for my RV, some (a lot) questions

    Have you done an energy audit to see how long that 15KWH will last? Do you have enough open roof area without obstructions to mount enough solar to replenish the 15KWH of batteries in your expected time frame? If not, are you supplementing with a generator? Do you have a rough diagram of what...
  13. BobH

    multiplus II. 50A fifth wheel

    See this post. It's a diagram from Victron... https://diysolarforum.com/threads/50-amp-otg-victron-battleborn-set-up-on-a-45-foot-toy-hauler.58819/post-736384
  14. BobH

    FTZ Crimp Tool Question

    I haven't crimped anything larger than 1/0 with mine. I used FTZ Powerlugs & I didn' have to deviate from the listed tables for the die settings & each lug required 2 crimps next to each other. The crimper got to max pressure and then kind of eased as the dies touched with a slight overlap at...
  15. BobH

    FTZ Crimp Tool Question

    Are you using FTZ brand Powerlugs or some other brand? Different brand lugs might require an adjustment. The lug "table" on the handle is specifically for their FTZ lug designs. My crimper shows 4/0 = A/A for a Powerlug & A/B for their flaired lugs.
  16. BobH

    1500lbs of solar on fifth wheel roof?

    I just put up six 450 watt panels along with aluminum residential roof rails on my rig. My 38 ft. RV is a well built 2011 with an upgraded independent suspension. I made sure I spread the rail attach points around to all the trusses I could. I'm pushing the cargo capacity with the panels...
  17. BobH

    Confused..aH at 12v or 24v?????

    One overlooked area, depending on the brand of equipment and the specs on the solar panels, is that higher voltage systems use smaller and less expensive solar charge controllers. I went with 24v Victron system in my RV and that saved several hundred dollars in the SCC price. Even after having...
  18. BobH

    MidNite Solar MNBCLNA BB Barcelona Breaker Box

    I'm not sure what amps your breakers will be or what MPPT/SCC's you are connecting to, but this MS 1000v box is cheaper - https://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-mnpv4-1000-enclosure.html That combiner accepts six of this model of MS Breaker: https://www.solar-electric.com/mnepv.html
  19. BobH

    Shuttle bus, 12 or 24 volt

    One of the items that pushed me to a 24v sysyem was the expense of the Victron SCC/MPPT's when going with 12V . Using a 24 v system, the use of much less expensive charge controllers was possible. The savings easily paid for the added 24/12 70A Orion converter.
  20. BobH

    Family in high-rise building, no panel(s) allowed, 72 hour backup plan

    So a set of portable panels that can be taken down once power is restored is still an HOA issue? I can see rules for permanently mounted panels, but portable ones in a natural disaster scenario shouldn't be an issue. If it is, then they are screwed. I would put out portable ones and beg for...
  21. BobH

    Multiplus II and Generator Connections

    This youtube video explains the issue & the fix. it works on mine after this mod...
  22. BobH

    Enclosure for 24v DIY battery.

    I've used SFK kits for two 12v 302 AH batteries using their V3 kit & my own JK BMS's. I was impressed by the amount of thought and engineering they put into their components. Just note that the majority of their internals are 3d printed components. Not necessarily a bad thing but the finish...
  23. BobH

    Changes coming to my RV ...

    Do you have the details on the panel attachment hardware you used? TIA
  24. BobH

    24v setup with Onan5500

    Basically, the Orion replaced the existing 60a, 120v to 12v Progressive converter. I made sure the wiring past he converter would support the 70a Orion. The Orion was dialed in to supply 13.4 V which is kind of the mid-point of the old converter output. I should probably have a charge...
  25. BobH

    24v setup with Onan5500

    I put an multimeter on my Onan 5500 propane generator a few weeks ago & it pulled 114 amps while it started. I kept my 12v agm battery because of this. The Orion 24/12 70 a easily runs the rest of the 12v power (slides, jacks, etc.) in my 5th wheel.
  26. BobH

    New lithium batteries not working together

    Do these have bluetooth & an app? If so, check to see that charge & discharge are turned on for the non-responding battery. On my BMS I can turn charging & discharging on/off via the app.
  27. BobH

    Looking for perfect panels for tilting solar rack on van

    Why wouldn't you use their 270 W panels that have the same footprint as the 220 W? Let us know how they turn out. Google doesn't return any reviews of their product that I can find. I'm suspicious that other solar panels at with the same footprint max out at 220 W. Also, if you google maps...
  28. BobH

    Finding perfect panels for tilting solar rack for van

    Why wouldn't you use their 270 W panels that have the same footprint as the 220 W? Let us know how they turn out. Google doesn't return any reviews of their product that I can find. I'm suspicious that other solar panels at with the same footprint max out at 220 W. Also, if you google maps...
  29. BobH

    Fairings for “up and over” installs?

    It's hard to tell the height needed, but "RVing with Tito" used a pvc home rain gutter turned so the bottom faced foward. With a little tirmming it made a nice wind & tree branch fairing for cheap.
  30. BobH

    Panels not secured on one side.

    RV with Tito only has 4 attached points on the "narrow panel side" corners & one in the mid point of the interior long side... Seems to be working for him. When i get my rig ready for solar I'll be doing similar rivet nut attachment on the "narrow panel side" with aluminum strut channel that...
  31. BobH

    Off-grid Solar / Battery monitoring and control freeware

    Thanks, i appreciate the detailed instructions!
  32. BobH

    Off-grid Solar / Battery monitoring and control freeware

    I would be interested in this process. tia!
  33. BobH

    Initial 24V setup with Victron Multiples II

    Why are your cable/wire sizes all different from the batteries to the shunt, the disconnect switch to the Lynx & to the inverter? Is the smallest one sized appropriately to the loads?
  34. BobH

    All in one hybrid inverter and rack batts- sigineer sungoldpower??

    Since these are very intermittent, why don't you run them off of a generator when needed & then size your system off of normal usage - ac, lights, h2o heater, furnace fan, computers, appliances, etc?
  35. BobH

    50 amp OTG Victron / Battleborn set up on a 45 foot Toy Hauler

    Based on the Victron site & literature, there is no "US" Multiplus II in a 5000W configuration - only in a 3000W size. The 5000W MultiPlus II is only available in Europe where 230V AC is the standard grid delivery voltage.
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