15 watt Solar Panel Install X213?

[jmoors]

Hi I have a 2011 X213. I am trying to figure out the best way to install a Sunforce 50033 15 Watt Solar 12V Battery Charging Kit with 7 Amp Charge Controller. I just want it to keep my battery charged while it sits in storage. I live in an apartment building and the trailer is in a storage lot.

Anyway was thinking of mounting it on the roof between the bathroom vent and shower skylight. I bought 4 Z brackets to keep it about 1" off the roof. Thought 1" SS screws with Dicor Lap Sealant for the mounts to trailer and then SS bolts and nuts for panel to mounts. Run electrical cable down outside of trailer in front along edge seal and them over to battery box. Mount regulator with Velcro to inside lid of battery box.

Any other ideas or do you think this is a good plan? Never done any thing like this and am concerned about using screws on top of trailer because I want to make sure it is water tight ...

Thanks for any help.

John
2000 chevy silverado
2011 Jayco X213

[Westerncanuck]

Originally Posted by jmoors

Hi I have a 2011 X213. I am trying to figure out the best way to install a Sunforce 50033 15 Watt Solar 12V Battery Charging Kit with 7 Amp Charge Controller. I just want it to keep my battery charged while it sits in storage. I live in an apartment building and the trailer is in a storage lot.

Anyway was thinking of mounting it on the roof between the bathroom vent and shower skylight. I bought 4 Z brackets to keep it about 1" off the roof. Thought 1" SS screws with Dicor Lap Sealant for the mounts to trailer and then SS bolts and nuts for panel to mounts. Run electrical cable down outside of trailer in front along edge seal and them over to battery box. Mount regulator with Velcro to inside lid of battery box.

Any other ideas or do you think this is a good plan? Never done any thing like this and am concerned about using screws on top of trailer because I want to make sure it is water tight ...

Thanks for any help.

John
2000 chevy silverado
2011 Jayco X213

Hi, ever thought about just taking the battery home with you to charge at home?
I would be Leary about leaving the battery on your TT in case of theft.

[jmoors]

Originally Posted by Westerncanuck

Hi, ever thought about just taking the battery home with you to charge at home?
I would be Leary about leaving the battery on your TT in case of theft.

Yes I have and that is what I normally do. However, It is 15 miles to the storage place and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. So at times round trip with getting the battery ... can be as long as 2 hours. So after that I figured this would be the best. Plus recharging in the apartment isn't the best thing to do either. So kinda between a rock and a hard place.

But Thank You for bringing that up.

John

[Quahog]

Depending on how often you use your trailer, you could either install a disconnect switch or just pull the in-line fuse for the battery. Obviously nothing will be powered then but it will keep your battery from being drained. For long periods of inactivity, I'd remove the battery and use a smart charger like the Battery Tender.

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender...battery+tender

[Mainenebula]

Another idea. Pull the in-line fuse and just attach a low wattage solar battery maintainer. You only need about 2 watts per 50 amp hours of battery as described here http://www.windsun.com/ChargeControls/ChargeCont.htm They are inexpensive so if broken or stolen no big deal plus you won't need a charge controller. Just velcro it to the battery case or the propane cover.

[jmoors]

Originally Posted by Mainenebula

Another idea. Pull the in-line fuse and just attach a low wattage solar battery maintainer. You only need about 2 watts per 50 amp hours of battery as described here http://www.windsun.com/ChargeControls/ChargeCont.htm

Basically that is what I am doing with the 15 watt panel and regulator. I was basically looking for any advice as to installing the panel on the roof and the best way to do that to make a secure and watertight installation. I have been pulling the fuse etc, and it is a pain when you misplace the fuse or forget it. And even after storing it through the off season the battery will need to be charged so this was my answer to those issues and now I just need to get it installed.

Thanks for all the advice. All of it makes sense.

[squidmotion]

battery tenders are GREAT. good product, good company. they make a few marine items that are the best.

the low buck solar maintainer is one of my next upgrades, though i don't really need it. one of the reasons i like these.. light current..... it just seems safer than having 110 hooked up to that hot charger all the time... yes, unfounded, but it makes me feel better. i do the same on my boat. solar to maintain... 'cooker' to get ready for a day of trolling motor action.

a marine style battery switch is easy to install, another option i've seen is a race car style battery switch, but the one with a 'key'...

are you boondocking? do you have an extra battery? how many batteries are you running?


by the way, is anyone using dedicated amp, switchable circuit breakers like these? was thinking of running one in place of the fuse...

[jmoors]

Just trying to keep my single battery charged when I have my trailer in storage. No power available and no place to park it around apartment complex.

[Mainenebula]

Originally Posted by jmoors

Just trying to keep my single battery charged when I have my trailer in storage. No power available and no place to park it around apartment complex.

Understood. What we are trying to convey is you do not need a 15 watt panel to maintain the charge in a battery that has no load. Wet cell batteries only lose 1-3% per month. A 1 to 3 watt panel will be sufficient to maintain your charge. So save the $$ on the 15 watt panel and converter plus the headache of running the cable. Does this make sense?

[jmoors]

Originally Posted by Mainenebula

Understood. What we are trying to convey is you do not need a 15 watt panel to maintain the charge in a battery that has no load. Wet cell batteries only lose 1-3% per month. A 1 to 3 watt panel will be sufficient to maintain your charge. So save the $$ on the 15 watt panel and converter plus the headache of running the cable. Does this make sense?

Makes perfect sense and I thank you. I all ready have the 15 watt panel etc, but after reading this post and looking at the mod forum where they attached a little panel to battery box lid ... I order the small panel 2 watt and going with the battery box option. I can use the 15 watt panel around the camp for other things as needed without messing with my roof etc. I'll let you know how the little panel works out.