Solar Package

[lkeul]

just purchased a 2004 Flagstaff 831fkss saw that it has a solar package with a control panel and battery bank under the bed, does anyone else run a solar package? I am an avid camper but this is new to me, just looking for general information will research it online when I get the camper to the house in a couple of days

Thanks

[Rod Johnson]

luckee. Can you post some pics, please? Especially of the solar panel mounts.

I'm about to drop a grand on a starter kit... Hoping to build from there...

[gbpacker]

Originally Posted by lkeul

just purchased a 2004 Flagstaff 831fkss saw that it has a solar package with a control panel and battery bank under the bed, does anyone else run a solar package? I am an avid camper but this is new to me, just looking for general information will research it online when I get the camper to the house in a couple of days

Thanks

It would appear that the previous owner must have "dry camped" a lot, as the solar setup will extend the available power from your battery pack. I have not seen a lot of postings regarding solar setups.

[gtkato]

You are lucky to have the previous owner pay for solar(most basic systems cost over $1000, and larger systems can be 2x) Even if you don't boondock a lot, it really helps in maintaining your batteries to full charge and will keep your batteries totally charged (even through the winter months) if you have the right kind of controller
a lot depends on the system installed
-how may watts the solar panel(s) are putting out and do they have adjustable mounts to angle towards the sun
-type of controller (three stage is best) The distance from the batteries to controller
-Size of wiring (#10 minimum, and larger=better)
-type of batteries put under the bed (completely sealed batteries are best in any areas..AGM, glass mat, or completely sealed marine battery. If the batteries are vented, then be sure there is adequate ventilation
-Are the solar panels and controller connected to the TT coach batteries also, and the batteries under the bed a second bank?

[lkeul]

Originally Posted by gtkato

You are lucky to have the previous owner pay for solar(most basic systems cost over $1000, and larger systems can be 2x) Even if you don't boondock a lot, it really helps in maintaining your batteries to full charge and will keep your batteries totally charged (even through the winter months) if you have the right kind of controller
a lot depends on the system installed
-how may watts the solar panel(s) are putting out and do they have adjustable mounts to angle towards the sun
-type of controller (three stage is best) The distance from the batteries to controller
-Size of wiring (#10 minimum, and larger=better)
-type of batteries put under the bed (completely sealed batteries are best in any areas..AGM, glass mat, or completely sealed marine battery. If the batteries are vented, then be sure there is adequate ventilation
-Are the solar panels and controller connected to the TT coach batteries also, and the batteries under the bed a second bank?

The battery pack under the bed is replacing the TT battery, there are 2 panels mounted to the roof and they are tiltable, there is a Kyocera control pamel mounted above the command center, so far I have not been able to find much out about it

[lkeul]

Originally Posted by Rod Johnson

luckee. Can you post some pics, please? Especially of the solar panel mounts.

I'm about to drop a grand on a starter kit... Hoping to build from there...

Rod tell me what kind of details shots you would like and I will get them for you this weekend (since I am a professional photographer....LOL)

[buffalohunter]

Larry, post the shots so we can all see them, please. From what I have heard the Kyocera brand is top quality. Very interested in going up from my puny 5 watt portable solar panel.

[lkeul]

Originally Posted by Buffalohunter

Larry, post the shots so we can all see them, please. From what I have heard the Kyocera brand is top quality. Very interested in going up from my puny 5 watt portable solar panel.

No problem, I will do that tomorrow if the weather here in Indiana coporates

[Rod Johnson]

Originally Posted by lkeul

Rod tell me what kind of details shots you would like and I will get them for you this weekend (since I am a professional photographer....LOL)

I'd just like to get some better ideas and understanding of how your panels are mounted. Where on the roof, what kind of brackets, how do you adjust the angle of the panels, how were the penetrations sealed, that kind of stuff

Originally Posted by lkeul

The battery pack under the bed is replacing the TT battery, there are 2 panels mounted to the roof and they are tiltable, there is a Kyocera control pamel mounted above the command center, so far I have not been able to find much out about it

On second thought, that sounds like a big fire danger. How's about I come over and help you remove all that stuff and dispose of everything for you. You know, for your safety, and the safety of your family.

[lkeul]

Here is the control panel

[lkeul]

Here is the battery box

[lkeul]

I was incorrect I do not think they are tiltable

[lkeul]

Here is the panel above the slide out

[lkeul]

Here are the battery inside the battery box

[buffalohunter]

Thanks for the photos. It looks like a very decent installation, clean and neat. I think it would be nice to have one installed. I hate to drill mounting hole in my roof, although it looks like this was not a problem for the previous owner or the person that installed it.

[bsmall]

Looks like you have 4, 6 volt batteries. In my opinion that's the best way to go... I am currently running four 6 volt batteries on my current Wildcat. For that matter I have used 6 volt batteries in both of our last two trailers.
Love them!

[Rod Johnson]

Hey, thanks a lot for the pics. Looks like plain flat roof Z mounts. I'm guessing you aren't seeing any roof leaks?!?

Originally Posted by Buffalohunter

Thanks for the photos. It looks like a very decent installation, clean and neat. I think it would be nice to have one installed. I hate to drill mounting hole in my roof, although it looks like this was not a problem for the previous owner or the person that installed it.

I'm the same way. Especially with a new trailer still under warranty. But, seems to be the way everybody does it. Plus, they are up and out of the way and out of sight.

I have a flagpole mount I made up for my trailer and bolted it to the tongue, just behind the propane tanks. I was thinking of a similar setup for the solar panels. I'd use just a standard solar panel pole mount. Without too much fuss, you could pretty much lay the panels flat for towing. And, I figured, once you've parked and the landing gear is down, loosen a few bolts, and slide the mount and panels up into the correct lattitudinal orientation. You can easily go and rotate the panel mount by hand throughout the day. Morning coffee, rotate it to face Southeast, and at lunch, to the Southwest.

We'll see. I had a bonus check I was kind of setting aside. I splurged on 2 group 27 12v batteries and a few 'fixins' for the house, looks like the rest is going towards an extra mortgage payment. It sure sucks to be responsible

lkeul, is it keeping your batteries charged up? What kind of camping do you do? Are you running the generator much, or plugged into shore power?

[jonnys_walkers]

This is my setup. It has been just installed, so I can't give any feedback at this time.
Two battery boxes
http://www.batterymart.com/p-hm426-dual-6-v-battery-box.html
Four GC-145 6v Golf Cart batteries
http://www.exide.com/Media/files/Downloads/TransAmer/Transportation%20Americas%20Brochures%20for%20Down load/Exide%20Golf%20Cart%20Trade%20Sheet.pdf
http://www.papsolar.ca/page_4.htm
System 3 with 190 watt MPPT
Mounted on the tongue similar to the Tracker mounted in the following picture
http://www.papsolar.ca/page_5.htm

Total cost installed around two thousand dollars.

[buffalohunter]

Great setup, "jonnys_walkers". Now I have added to my want list. I have only two Trojan golf cart batteries at this time and a 5 watt portable solar panel. It helps but nothing like what you have. I think one 95 watt panel and controller would do the trick for me.

Thanks for the post.

[jonnys_walkers]

Thanks Buffalohunter.
Like IKEUL's setup we wanted something that we can use for three to four weeks of dry camping at a time.