Recent content by BobW55

I would also consider multiple smaller panels in parallel. Will help with generation on cloudy days or when shade is a factor. One big panel and a good cloud could ruin your day. Smaller panels are also easier to deal with. Just my 2 cents

I can relate to buying what one can afford vs buying what is best. I wanted two 6 volt 200 Ah golf cart batteries, the golf cart place I was going to buy them from was going to sell me the set for $200 out the door. When I went to get them, they now quoted me a $300 price. Didn't have the money...

I thought about using one of those. I still may. I was very surprised to find that no one readily makes one.

Looking for a door switch to fit the side door of my trailer.  Want to hook it up to the lights (all LED) so they turn off when I shut the door. Looked at some car door switches but they are usually too long to work.  Figured maybe someone on here ran across something that would work.  Only...

Thanks for posting that chart. I was surprised to find that there is not a "Goldie Locks" zone. Always figured that there would be a 25-35% discharge region that was best for long battery life.

Panels installed, Used 2 composite decking boards screwed to the ribs for mounts. MPPT charge controller mounted. Wires run, but not secured down yet. Still have to mount the fuse block, and run wires for the inverter and lipo battery charger. Planning on doing a stress test with the inverter...

Panels. CC. and wiring showed up today. 3 X 100Watt 12 volt panels into a EPEVER MPPT controller into a 12 volt deep cycle battery. Time 3:30 PM Michigan. Full sun, panels laying flat. I hooked everything up temporarily just to make sure everything is going to work. Panels showing 16.2 to 17...

I am in Michigan, about 3 hours North of Detroit. Closest Marine place is about and hour away. The run from the battery to the fuse block is only 5-6 feet. Will check at a local auto supply place. See if they have some ready made starter cables, or may just relocate the fuse block.

Most interesting post. I am about to install a 12 volt solar system. 3 x 100 Watt panels. I will be using a single deep cycle battery and an MPPT controller. Finding 8 gauge or heavier wire is not to easy. But I do have more than enough 10 Gauge. My 750 Watt inverter has it's own 8 gauge wires...

Yes ceramic weighs a lot. but we are only talking the nose area of a 6'x10' V nose. Just looking for options to consider.

Normally I charge my batteries at home. I have a large 2'x2' ceramic tile table I use. I have never had a battery even get warm when being charged. But I know the potential is there. In an enclosed trailer, I would just prefer a bit of protection, if it is not terribly expensive. I have a...

May just use some wood and fire resistant paint. I keep temperature sensors on my batteries as I charge, I have it set so if they go 3 degrees above ambient it shuts down the charger. Never had one do that yet, but I don't charge at real high levels even though the batteries could take it. I'll...

There is no living space. This is a transport, storage, workshop trailer. Other that rain or high wind we fly year round. Take the wheels off and put ski's on. Right now my charging is portable, but very inconvenient, real pain to raise the hood, clamp the charger terminals to the battery...

Unfortunately my battery deal fell through, well from a price stand point anyway. Ended up getting a deep cycle 12 volt battery to start with. Probably not the best choice, but it will get me going.

Another question popped into mind. Since I plan on recharging LIPO batteries. I want to build a work station into the nose area of the trailer. I want to use something more fire resistant than just wood. (Rare but LIPO's do catch fire) I can not use metal, too conductive. I thought about...