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Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine
I am also putting solar into my 2018 231 Freedom Express. Could you tell us what you have done so far?
So far, all I have done is upgrade my WFCO charger so that I can correctly charge my LifeBlue 200 AH lithium battery. I have a 90 watt Go Power suitcase solar panel with 40 feet of cable that I plug directly into my Furrion solar port.
I also have a Renogy 50 amp DC-DC charger with MTTP controller that controls alternator and solar charging, but it is not set up yet. I have ordered two, 200 watt solar panels that I will also use in suitcase fashion.
My biggest issue is deciding where I am going to place my battery and solar control center. I am going to have to cut some holes in the TT and I am apprehensive about doing so.
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Phil it sounds like you have this pretty well covered and a nice set-up. My set-up is similar with slight differences. If you're boondocking, and why would you complete these upgrades if you're not, the battery storage is going to be paramount to your success. You went with Lithium, which is the best choice, while I went with two 6v cart batteries that give me 235ah, which is nice but definitely heavier than your set-up. I price shopped and got my batteries from Batteries Plus for $130 each if I remember right. They are Duracell and are made by East Penn Mfg, so that gave me a little confidence as East Penn is synonymous with quality batteries.
Along with the battery upgrade I installed a Renogy battery monitor. You expressed some concern as to where to install. I also had hesitations but in the end I mounted it on the face of the curbside night stand (front bedroom lays over the large pass-thru compartment). I ran the wire from the front battery box down along the A-frame and drilled a hole in the front bottom edge of the storage compartment. Up thru the hole into the storage compartment, then ran the wire along the top of the storage compartment, secured with wire hangers and tape, over to the backside of the curbside night stand, drilled the minimum hole and mounted the battery monitor with two-sided tape.
With the battery monitor in this location I can open the door, stick my head in and look over at the battery monitor, which is convenient.
I have also upgraded my converter from the WFCO to a Progressive Dynamics converter to decrease charge time when running a generator or charging at home.
And I have a 100w suitcase from Renogy with an extension cord and the adapter to plug into the Furion receptacle on the outside of the trailer.
So far this system works well for us, and we are always boondocking. If we are going to be in the forest where solar is limited I bring the generator along for insurance. If we are going to be in a more open area then I bring the solar suitcase. If we are only going for a few days I bring nothing because the battery bank can handle it without assistance.
I haven't pulled the trigger yet on the DC-DC charger as I just haven't had an issue with charging while moving. That's probably because we are typically not moving - when we set camp we are there for the duration. But if that changes I will be installing the Renogy DC-DC charger.