Setting up a Solar Charging System Inverter in a Travel Trailer

RV with solar panel systems

Our travel trailer checking out often takes us to remote places where web site services aren’t available. To be sure the batteries stay charged through the duration of our stays, I installed a solar charging system. We additionally desired the blissful luxury of AC energy for devices such as for example a toaster and operating devices such as for instance a tablet, and flat display screen television! So an inverter has also been set up to transform the DC electric batteries to wichita falls escort babylon 110 AC energy.

My experience doing house wiring ended up being sufficient to tackle this project and perform some complete installation. I really could compose a novel that is short the installation but right here I’ll inform you of things We discovered that i did son’t read in just about any internet site!!

To get the size of panels and inverter consider this amazing site: gpelectric /go-power-calculator. The inverter I installed is just a 1000 watt. It’s enough for the toaster that draws 650 watts so when maybe not utilizing the toaster we could make use of the computer and TV simultaneously.

We bought all of the gear from a supplier that is marine. The values had been really competitive and quality is very good. It had been a little more than buying online nevertheless the shop offered advice that is excellent I’d questions. spend the excess and get a sine wave” inverter that is“pure.

I built brackets that support the free standing panels since we frequently camp in treed sites that limit sun exposure. I’m able to go the panels round the web web site to increase sunlight publicity. 25′ of #10 wire links the panels towards the solar controller inside the storage space compartment.

The cables coming through the ground through the storage space compartment and clipped into the flooring. The red cables come from the solar panels that link to the solar controller.

Through the solar controller in the panel within the storage space compartment we went an optimistic and negative #10 cable through the trailer floor and connected these cables to your outside plug (identify photo). Note the marine Sika Flex white sealant utilized to avoid any dampness from engaging in the ground.

The panels are saved in the leading storage space compartment. Our trailer is 19′ but the access doorways are wide enough for 2 panels.

The inverter, solar controller, and breaker are installed to plywood found in the front side storage space compartment. The plywood board is installed to your aluminum framework making use of self tapping steel screws (identify photo). Observe that the panel that is mounting the inverter is within the centre regarding the storage space compartment therefore it is as near as you are able to to the batteries situated in front of this trailer. This is really important since the # 4 cables through the inverter to your batteries should not be any more than 4 foot in total.

The four wires through the ground link the inverter and solar controller to the two 6-volt batteries

Usually the one challenge of this installation is having the cables through the inverter (2-#4 wires) and through the controller that is solar the batteries (2-#10 cables). My trailer features a fibreglass front side so my initial thought had been drill through the leading wall surface for the storage space compartment in to the void room involving the wall surface as well as the fibreglass nose. But this does not work. Alternatively We drilled holes through the ground. We utilized a stud finder to discover the trailer frame therefore I wouldn’t drill through the steel framework and also to find any wiring.

One other challenge ended up being making certain i did son’t drill through water tank. My trailer features a ¼“ ABS enclosed underbelly that I knew was somewhere close to the front of the trailer so I couldn’t see the water tank. We called the solution division where We purchased the trailer that is new the maker to learn where in fact the water tank is situated but no assistance from them!! Therefore I crawled underneath the trailer and forced through to the versatile underbelly where i desired to create the cables through the compartment through a floor into the batteries. It showed up there clearly was no water tank here but to make sure We drilled a little opening through the stomach address after which because of the eraser end of a pencil pressed it as much as the ground. There is no opposition so that it ended up being safe to assume there is no water tank! When I drilled the opening when you look at the flooring and pulled the 4 wires through the panel to your batteries.

The finished installation within the storage space compartment. Note the polycarbonate address within the blue solar controller and breaker

To guard the inverter we installed a breaker as opposed to a fuse. If you utilize a fuse then it could be wise to possess an extra fuse. But, if for whatever reason the breaker trips what you need to accomplish is simply press the reset key.

The panel was protected by me having a polycarbonate cover. It’s stronger and shatter resistant then Plexiglas and may be practical considering most of the stuff gets tossed into the storage space compartment (see picture of panel).

The receptacle for the converter circuit. The button that is red the inverter switch

Considering that the inverter are at the leading of this trailer, a cable was run by me through a floor within the storage space compartment. Its clipped to your floor and runs along the trailer then up through a floor to in the home case where We installed a typical box that is electrical. Additionally set up may be the handy remote control switch for the inverter (identify photo). Whenever inverter power is not needed it ought to be switched off. The switch in the trailer is convenient while you don’t need certainly to get outside within the early morning to make in the inverter!!

It had been an advisable task by having a satisfying result. It was tested by me plus it works great!

If you should be considering a task such as this please feel free to contact me personally via this web site.

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by Brent Hegadoren

Brent started tent camping at a very early age going together with his dad on backwoods activities. their camping activities proceeded after graduating through the University of Waterloo, as he travelled across Canada tenting, residing away from a half ton vehicle, and checking out Canada and closing up in Tofino. He ultimately settled in Edmonton where a career was started by him in tourism administration. Fond memories of Vancouver Island brought him to Victoria where their family members explored British Columbia in a truck camper. Now semi- retired, Brent enjoys RVing, golfing, travelling, ocean fishing around Vancouver Island and that can tinker all day when you look at the true research store.