TrailManor Owner's Forum  

Go Back   TrailManor Owner's Forum > TrailManor Technical Discussions > Trailmanor Elkmont Models
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-06-2012, 12:09 PM   #1
Redhawk
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Solar for the Elk

After reading the threads here discussing solar and doing a lot of research, I finally placed the order this morning. Kyocera 140W panel with a Morningstar Prostar 15M controller. The hardest part was deciding between the MPPT and the Prostar, but for the $150. difference, I could add another panel if I ever thought I needed it. Which I doubt. Total package was $618 w/shipping.

I found a lot of the online solar dealers are nothing more than some people with an office and no inventory, when it got down to it, it would be over a month to get the panels etc. I finally ended up using http://www.solarpanelstore.com/ mainly because they are located here in CO and had inventory. The guy I worked with was able to answer all of my questions immediatly, and called me back when he said he would, not the case with the others, they usually emailed me the spec sheets that I already had. So....check around is the moral here.

Question....does anyone have any experience or suggestions on where to mount the controller? I'd like to be able to see it since it has the LCD meter on it and hide the wires too.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2012, 03:27 PM   #2
brulaz
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

There's a thread on this forum, I think, where the panels are mounted on a frame (plastic plumbing pipe?) separately from the trailer. That way you can move them around independently and select the best lighting conditions. And then store them securely in your truck when traveling.

As for the controller, I've thought close to the batteries, under the seat, or maybe even in the bathroom in one of the low shelves?

EDIT: May be cut out that (currently unused?) round furnace duct into the battery compartment and use that space. Not eye-level, but ...
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2012, 03:50 PM   #3
rumbleweed
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Check out http://www.windsun.com/ These guys are very good and have great prices. Their site has excellent information on solar options.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2012, 07:15 PM   #4
Redhawk
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Hummm...the bath room shelfs are something I will check out closer, I could use a blanking panel and make it look pretty good. Thanks for the suggestion, and the site Rumbleweed.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2012, 08:56 AM   #5
Bill
Site Team
 
Bill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine
Posts: 10,088
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by brulaz View Post
There's a thread on this forum, I think, where the panels are mounted on a frame (plastic plumbing pipe?) separately from the trailer. That way you can move them around independently and select the best lighting conditions. And then store them securely in your truck when traveling.
That was Rumbleweed, and it looks like a great mount.
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=11467
__________________
2020 2720QS (aka 2720SL)
2014 Ford F-150 4WD 5.0L
Bill's Tech Stuff album
Bill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 01:59 PM   #6
scrubjaysnest
TrailManor Master
 
scrubjaysnest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Big Bend area, Florida
Posts: 2,120
Default

We did portable stands like rumbleweed from scrap 3/4 pvc. Here at Silver Jack, in partial shade and 2 inches of rain over the last few days our two 80 watt panels placed on the roof have more then kept the batteries up. We are moving up to Spruce Grove on Grand Mesa NF tomorrow if you want to run up that far from Colorado Springs to look at the set up.
__________________
Axis 24.1 E 450 chassis, 6 spd tranny. GVWR 14500# GVCWR 22000 # GW(scales) 12400 #
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

mods: 2- 100 watt solar panels, on roof, 300 watts portable



“They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin
scrubjaysnest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 09:14 PM   #7
Redhawk
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

That would be great Scrubjay, but we are leaving in the morning to spend 3 or 4 days in the mountains. I'm hoping that with some careful use, the batteries will last till we come back. Or get flooded out!

Thanks a lot for the offer, wish I could.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2012, 05:08 PM   #8
Redhawk
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Finally finished the solar panel install today. On the Elk, I found that the vent coming out the roof from the black tank had enough room around the pipe that I could run the 10 ga wires into the interior fairly easily. I removed the angled panel in the bathroom that hides the vent tube, drilled a hole in the wall and mounted the solar controller on the wall above the existing battery monitor in the main cabin area. The 10 gauge wires aren't real easy to work with, and they are visible on the bottom of the controller, but I like having it where I can see it.

It was heavily overcast, but the panel was still putting out 1 amp to the battery. I am very happy with what I was seeing compared to the 85 watt panel we had on our 2619. Let's go camping!!!

I want to thank all that have posted their experience with mounting and installing solar on this site. It helped me tremendously.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2012, 07:20 PM   #9
brulaz
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

So, you've got the solar panel mounted on the roof, the wires running down beside the black water vent pipe to a controller mounted on the other side of the bathroom wall in the main cabin and from there down to the battery? Or ...?

I am a little confused about the "existing battery monitor". Mine, the original that came with the Elkmont, is mounted under the sink; far way from the batteries and bathroom vent pipe.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2012, 09:17 PM   #10
Redhawk
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

You got it right, that's where it is mounted. My battery monitor is on that same wall, pretty much straight up from the batteries. I should have taken a photo or 2, but didn't have the camera. The panel fit very nicely right next to the A/C unit.
  Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mounting A Solar Panel WildWG Solar Power 14 03-15-2023 08:22 AM
Portable Solar Panels Mr Geek Solar Power 61 01-03-2017 05:07 PM
Solar Update Caver Solar Power 6 09-14-2005 08:49 AM
Solar power forum Bill Solar Power 2 11-20-2003 12:57 PM
Solar Panels on TM?? oilspot Solar Power 66 07-04-2003 04:09 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:24 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 2022 Trailmanor Owners Page.