Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Wire
Looks nice Wayne. It looks like you just had enough room for the panels when the TM is folded down. I have a couple of questions...
1) Do you worry about being in a hail storm and breaking the panels? Do you take something with you to cover the panels if bad weather approaches?
2) How much wire do you have hanging from the rear top shell when the TM is folded down, and how to you tie it up? Do you have any pictures of that?
3) Did you put your MPPT controller, and your inverter in the same rear compartment as the battery? Do you have any pictures of that?
4) I can't remember from your other post on your solar panel installation, what gauge wire did you use from the panels to the MPPT and what gauge from the MPPT to the battery?
I guess I had more than a couple of questions ... 
Thanks, Keith |
1) We live in SoCal so hail isn't an issue. If I lived in an area where hail was an issue, I would cover each panel with an appropriate sized sheet of 1/4" Lexan or 3/8" Plexiglas or a 1/4" piece of plywood that is covered with a layer of F/G for water protection (for the plywood).
2) There is 14' of 10G marine grade wire from the panels to the controller. The wire is inside the plastic conduit shown in this pic:
The conduit runs along the top (and down the side) of the lower shell, just long the seal of the upper shell. When it reaches the rear hinge in the the lower shell, I left a 1' loop for folding down the camper (when the camper is folded, the wire is tight & flat, when open, there is a visible loop). Then I just wire tired the cable to the back side of the rear support arm until the cable disappears under the trailer.
*****note: Those 2 exposed black wires that you see is the factory installation to the radio antenna (that 12" long black piece on the rear of the upper shell).
3) I ran the cable up through the floor in the rear compartment, just behind the battery box. Then through the compartment to the rear wall (next to the door). I mounted my controller on the outside (rear) of the camper (just to the left of the compartment door) so that it can be viewed without opening the door. I drilled a hole through the wall to run the wires. The controller is covered when the rear shell is down and the bed protects it from the rain when opened. All holes are sealed with silicone sealer on both sides to prevent water intrusion and discourage the wires from rubbing on the bare metal.
I haven't purchased a new inverter yet (the old one went with my old camper). When I do, it will probably be mounted inside the compartment, as close to the batteries as possible. I think that I may have the front panel of the inverter protrude through to the inside of the camper for easy access to the switch and outlets. I prefer not to hard-wire the 110V side of the inverter to the campers electrical system.
4) 10G marine grade wire.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10-2-...ssoriesQ5fGear Marine grade costs a little more but the wire is "tinned" which makes soldering easier and corrosion a non-issue. This flat jacket 10/2 cable fits in the conduit perfectly.
The conduit made the entire installation seamless and professional looking. It came with all sorts of angled joints and connectors. It is adhesive backed and the adhesive is incredibly strong. One must be sure that it is exactly where he wants it before letting it touch the surface. Once it touches the surface, it's permanent. It's barely visible, even when the trailer is open.
http://www.amazon.com/Wiremold-C210-...ref=pd_cp_hi_1
