Electrical Storage (Solar Generator)

[xkuzme1]

I have been meaning to post a few pics of this little package that I put together this year. I went to MOAB on a camping trip in June. We camped at a BLM campground just a mile outside of town. FANTASTIC!!! Im already to go back. Well, we bought a small TT a while back and my wife issued a challenge, and I accepted. Challenge was to be able to use everything the camper had to offer (accept AC), but also had to have enough juice to run 3 fans all night.

So I made a solar generator... if you are not familiar, it just a mobile battery bank. This one wasn't perfect. I originally planned to use two 6v batteries, but my case (tool box) was too short by 1 inch.

Everything worked like a charm. Woke up in the morning at about 12.7-12.9 volts after running the fans all night. We use the kureg to brew 4 cups of coffee (down to 12.3-12.5) or 12.1-12.3 if we used the toaster. We would hit the road, usually come back to the camp about 3-5pm in the after noon and the batteries would be back up towards the 13.1-3 area. We would use a little electricity before bed, mainly just water pump for showers and dishes. The kids would sometimes watch a little TV or we would run some fans while they went and took a nap.

Except for not using the air conditioner at all (unless the generator was connected) we made no effort to conserve electricity. We did bring the champion generator because it was a test run, and we knew that sometimes we would just need a total reprieve from the heat.

My solar panels are:
1) one 125 watt panel kit
2) one 85 watt panel kit

My wiring is long enough that I was able to place the panels in good enough sports that they would pick up sun while we were gone throughout the day.


Inside is:
1 ac inverter (2000 watt)
2 group 24 batteries
2 12 dc fans connected to a 130 degree switch
1 12 volt meter
1 waterproof ac 15 amp plug

Thanks for looking.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/album.php?albumid=635

[oldmanAZ]

Two thumbs up!

Originally Posted by xkuzme1

... my wife issued a challenge ...
... Everything worked like a charm.

Doesn't get much better than that.

[Popcycle]

I don't see a solar charge controller in your equipment list. Are your panels connected directly to the batteries? Do you know how much voltage your panels produce? Without a charge controller is there a chance to over charge the batteries? You did a nice job with the battery box setup.

[xkuzme1]

My Solar panels have the charge controllers built in. That way I can wire just one in, or I can wire them both in.

[Seann45]

Here is what I did posted in mods
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...ighlight=solar