JiminDenver
Denver, Co
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Joined: 09/09/2011
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West
I've been meaning to ask you what kind of amps are you seeing out of the solar. Are you bumping up against the 15a limit of the MS controller often?
2011 GulfStream Amerilite 25BH
2003 Ford Expedition with 435w tilting portable/ TS-MPPT-45
750w solar , TS-MPPT-60 on the trailer
675 Ah bank, Trip-lite 1250fc inverter
Sportsman 800w inverter generator
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DrWily008
Peninsula, OH
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Joined: 07/29/2013
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Hi WestEnd!
I have just read through you entire thread and I wanted to tell you that your project looks great! I have been lurking on this site for a long time. I signed up for an account to tell you that I wish I had your skills and patience!
I am doing something, albeit to a lesser extent, to my 1981 20' Skyline Nomad. I recently got it and have been working on it for a few weeks.
I too am an audiophile. I started with records and tapes and have 3 full time systems set up in the house. I like jazz, classic rock, and alternative. I would be very interested in the audio/camper meet. I would love getting a chance to talk about 2 of my hobbies while hanging with some good people!
Great read - Ken
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westend
Shorewood, MN
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Joined: 11/17/2011
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Jim, yes I occasionally bump 15 amps but not usually. I really have to work to draw down the batteries to get that many amps travelling.
Ken, you betcha, hope we can meet up and share the audio thing at some time.
I thought I'd post up a couple of pics of the completed 12v setup:
Battery box for bank #2:
![[image]](http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/mowerman_/The%20Hilton/IMG_0001_zps29bad541.jpg)
Two 6V in series:
![[image]](http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/mowerman_/The%20Hilton/IMG_0002_zps2ca09132.jpg)
New Victron battery monitor:
![[image]](http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/mowerman_/The%20Hilton/IMG_0004_zpsb5343683.jpg)
Distribution panel with newer Xantrex inverter:
![[image]](http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/mowerman_/The%20Hilton/IMG_0003_zps1a97f6d5.jpg)
All is good with the solar charging setup. The fridge is running smoothly and I have plenty of power for the entertainment devices. The Polish Princess and I are planning some Fall trips now that work is slowing down and we have some time.
Happy Trails!
'03 F-250 4x4 CC
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton
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69 Avion
Phoenix, Arizona
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Joined: 06/23/2012
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I've been watching the progress over the last year. Very nice work. There is no doubt that the trailer is much better now than the day that it was originally made.
How is your solar system working out? I'm getting ready to add solar to mine. I'm thinking of a panel about the same size. It is a 250 watt, 24 volt panel from Sharp.
Ford F-350 4x4 Diesel
1988 Avion Triple Axle Trailer
1969 Avion C-11 Camper
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westend
Shorewood, MN
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69 Avion wrote:I've been watching the progress over the last year. Very nice work. There is no doubt that the trailer is much better now than the day that it was originally made.
How is your solar system working out? I'm getting ready to add solar to mine. I'm thinking of a panel about the same size. It is a 250 watt, 24 volt panel from Sharp. Thanks, I know you have considerable experience with fabrication so that's quite a compliment.
The solar system is working great. Really, my electrical needs are on the low end, even using the small electric fridge. I sized the system around the fridge, basically. I have battery powered alarms and no circuit boards or furnace blower. All the lights are LED's so the vent fan and stove fan are my next largest loads and they aren't operated much. I have the older pressure tank water system so my pump runs very little, also. Since I just installed the Victron monitor, I don't know what typical usage total is but I'd guess around 60-80AH/day. The one 235w module I use is keeping everything charged well.
Your 250W Sharp panel should give you a lot of charging power, enough to boondock indefinitely if your needs are towards the middle of average users, especially if you have a propane absorption refrigerator. Have you picked out a charge controller yet?
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69 Avion
Phoenix, Arizona
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westend wrote:69 Avion wrote:I've been watching the progress over the last year. Very nice work. There is no doubt that the trailer is much better now than the day that it was originally made.
How is your solar system working out? I'm getting ready to add solar to mine. I'm thinking of a panel about the same size. It is a 250 watt, 24 volt panel from Sharp. Thanks, I know you have considerable experience with fabrication so that's quite a compliment.
The solar system is working great. Really, my electrical needs are on the low end, even using the small electric fridge. I sized the system around the fridge, basically. I have battery powered alarms and no circuit boards or furnace blower. All the lights are LED's so the vent fan and stove fan are my next largest loads and they aren't operated much. I have the older pressure tank water system so my pump runs very little, also. Since I just installed the Victron monitor, I don't know what typical usage total is but I'd guess around 60-80AH/day. The one 235w module I use is keeping everything charged well.
Your 250W Sharp panel should give you a lot of charging power, enough to boondock indefinitely if your needs are towards the middle of average users, especially if you have a propane absorption refrigerator. Have you picked out a charge controller yet?
My usage is minimal. Excluding AC (that is what the generator is for) my largest usage of power is the furnace fan. Most of my cooking is outside so the vent hood is rarely used. In the old days, lighting was an issue but I went to 100% LEDs.
The charge controller that I'm going to use is the same one that you have. It is the Morningstar Sun Saver MPPT 15 amp controller. The best price that I have found so far is $223.60. There may be a better source out there. How is it working out so far for you? I need the MPPT because of my 24 volt panel.
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JiminDenver
Denver, Co
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Joined: 09/09/2011
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With 250w you should do well depending on the amount of sun you see. Even flat our 230w panel has kept up with just a few hours of sun a day and we use the furnace a lot more now. (and fans, and TV/DVD and LEDs) This year has been a test to see how far our single grp 27 could be pushed and I thought a cloudy day when the furnace was used a lot was going to do it in but the panel being portable and taking advantage of a few brief moment of sun got us back up to float. The next morning was sunny and all was good.
West, you certainly have a boondockers special there. Using the full battery bank and solar we are pretty much only limited to how much water/food we carry. Power is never a real issue.
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westend
Shorewood, MN
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Joined: 11/17/2011
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JiminDenver wrote:With 250w you should do well depending on the amount of sun you see. Even flat our 230w panel has kept up with just a few hours of sun a day and we use the furnace a lot more now. (and fans, and TV/DVD and LEDs) This year has been a test to see how far our single grp 27 could be pushed and I thought a cloudy day when the furnace was used a lot was going to do it in but the panel being portable and taking advantage of a few brief moment of sun got us back up to float. The next morning was sunny and all was good.
West, you certainly have a boondockers special there. Using the full battery bank and solar we are pretty much only limited to how much water/food we carry. Power is never a real issue. Right, Jim, this solar stuff is seamless once you get the bits figured out.
Today, the Hilton got a new set of shoes. These Carlisle ST RH Load D Trails were about the best fit. I'm kind of married, for the present, to the older 4-holer rims and axles. The torsion axles have a good ride but the rims have a deep offset so going to a bigger profile isn't possible. I'll see if I have an issue with axles or hubs later but my first trips were just fine.
I went up to a Load range D so that gives me 2150/tire on 3000 lb. axles suspending a 5000 lb. trailer. The numbers all work and I'm hoping that these newer Carlisles with the added nylon belt will stay together.
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2112
Texas
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Joined: 07/16/2011
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I have been following your Hilton project for some time now and I have to say - Well Done!
You mention a 5000 lb. trailer above. Did you finally get her on a scale or is this an estimate? I'm curious of your final numbers if/when you ever weigh her.
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost SuperCab Max Tow, 2084# Payload, 11,300# Tow,
Timbrens, PullRite SuperGlide 2700 15K
2013 KZ Durango 2857
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westend
Shorewood, MN
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2112 wrote:I have been following your Hilton project for some time now and I have to say - Well Done!
You mention a 5000 lb. trailer above. Did you finally get her on a scale or is this an estimate? I'm curious of your final numbers if/when you ever weigh her. Thanks.
I had it on the Cat scale with most of the stuff I'd take camping last year. It weighed 4920 lbs. at that time. Since then, I added the solar system and two GC2 6V batteries. The new tires may weigh a few pounds more, also. I haven't had it on the scale since the additions.
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