Is this possible

[texas0322]

So I have a van that I have 300 watts of solar on with a Renogy mppt charge controller and 2 6 volt agm batteries. I am buying a small travel trailer to use in some of my adventures. I wont be using it all of the time so I dont really want to move my solar system to it.  The trailer currently has one 12 volt battery on it and is a standard travel trailer setup with no modifications. 

My question is, is there a way I could run some heavy gauge wire back to the travel trailer to connect the trailer to my solar system when I'm using it? I was thinking of taking the travel trailer battery out of the equation and running a connection from my van battery system to where the travel trailer batter was. Thoughts?

 

[John61CT]

Yes, gauge as spec'd by amps and especially voltage drop charts for the actual distance, Anderson plugs and fuses to match.

All in one bank is best, trailer is load consumers only.

If the distance is too great, heavy wiring crazy pricey, then keep one deep cycle local in the trailer and buy a DCDC batt charger at high enough amps.

Doing it right could easily cost $500+ not counting labor.

 

[texas0322]

That's what I was thinking. I have one spare 100 watt panel laying around. Might pick up a second and another charge controller and just install it on the trailer. Thanks for the info!

 

[John61CT]

Just realize splitting the House bank means lower total capacity, hence greater voltage sags and much shorter batt lifespans.

 

[highdesertranger]

I would go with plan B and set the trailer up with it's own solar. highdesertranger

 

[texas0322]

I would go with plan B and set the trailer up with it's own solar.  highdesertranger

That's what I'm gonna do I think. I suspected plan A wasnt going to work well but was hoping I was wrong lol

When I bought 3 - 100 watt Renogy solar panels from Amazon for my van they sent me 4 so I've got part of the setup already.

Thanks for the reply

 

[frater secessus]

One of the scenarios I considered was a small 4x4 towing an A-liner or similar.  The pickup would have a camper shell and overcab rack:

The idea I was considering was to max out the rack with solar, and strap a good sized bank (440Ah or so) into the bed.  This would be the power donor for the trailer.  The power would be inverted to to 120vac out of the pickup and run by extension cord to the trailer's shore power inlet. 

Wasting some power, sure, but it meant:

1. the tether could be a relatively lightweight and off-the-shelf (extension cord)
2. the power donor could be parked in the sun while the trailer was in the shade
3. the trailer's OEM  battery would be kept charged by its converter while tethered

I ended up going a different direction (see sig below) but I still think it would be a neat setup.

 

[B and C]

That would take a big inverter to run the battery charger built into the trailer.

 

[John61CT]

Yes, great idea, but only makes sense to me without the idea of charging the trailer batt.

For that, I'd either stay DC with a fat cable or buy a DCDC charger, too much energy lost converting to AC and then back to DC.

 

[bigskybob]

My panels are mounted on my van and supply power to the trailer batteries.Ihave 30 ft of no.10stranded and it works fine.I can park the trailer in the shade and the van in the sun.

 

[texas0322]

I decided to buy some connector skmeone told me about to charge while I drive and I'm going to hook up a 100 watt panel I have in storage. This is my new camper I bought today. Love it so fsr!

 

[Weight]

I would keep the house battery in the trailer. I would have the solar panels on the trailer. Just for information; If the distance from a charge source was 25 feet. With a estimated 45 amp charging source. 2 awg cable would give the recommended 3% or less voltage drop. Two custom cables with marine grade wire with lugs and heat shrink ends would be $190. Then you need plug connectors.

 

[John61CT]

3% drop brings a 14.9V absorb target down to under 14.5V.

And just boosting source voltage does not give a consistent output V as current tails off.

I would get a DCDC charger installed at the target bank if the necessary wiring got impractically heavy.

 

[frater secessus]

Great size on that trailer. Looks perfect to me.

 

[texas0322]

Great size on that trailer.  Looks perfect to me.

Thanks. I'm really looking forward to traveling in it. Leaving out in a couple weeks for Wyoming/Montana. Gonna be great having a little extra room

 

[tx2sturgis]

The idea I was considering was to max out the rack with solar, and strap a good sized bank (440Ah or so) into the bed.  This would be the power donor for the trailer.  The power would be inverted to to 120vac out of the pickup and run by extension cord to the trailer's shore power inlet. 

{snip}

I ended up going a different direction (see sig below) but I still think it would be a neat setup.

This does work, I am currently running a similar configuration. Plans are to change some aspects of it later, but for now, it works to charge the trailer's deep-cycle battery thru the mains charger on-board the trailer, powered by an inverter and solar in the tow vehicle. 

I'm quite sure someone will mention how in-efficient this is, and the skies will darken, the planet's magnetic poles will reverse, and the earth will tilt on it's axis....but by golly, it works for me, especially when underway.