Solar is happening

[Screwby]

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/members/42029-albums1143-picture6416.jpeg
400w Renogy system showing up in 4 days. Hopefully this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship
Sorry can't figure out how to make picture show up

 

[Screwby]

Here, let's try this. Sorry , new guy learning forum
Test fit went well. I'll be mounting the box today and begining to get all the wiring connected. It took forever to find a box to fit 4-6v batteries that wasn't going to cost me a fortune. My goal is to have battery bank completed so when the panels show up Wednesday I can be that much closer to complete.

 

[Mustang65]

Welcome to SOLAR... Once you start you are hooked. Sounds like a nice system you are putting together. What batteries did you get? Ah?

Don't forget to put some air vent holes in the box and a few drain holes in the bottom... If you get a chance can you document your installation with pictures and post them on the RVing with SOLAR Social Group (I believe you were the 99th member to join). A parts list would be a nice post, step by step documentation and a schematic of the install, so would be SOLAR purchasers can see what is involved.

In the RVing with SOLAR Social Group there is a post on the proper way to hook up batteries to get the most out of them.. also interesting reading.

Good Luck in setting up your system... if you need any information just yell

Don

 

[Screwby]

Thanks for the input! I'll definitely make this a running thread. I tried to start a duplicate one in our solar group but the add picture option wasn't available over there? Additional options didn't have the manage attachments button to add pictures to my post?
I figure it's the least I can do for all the help I've gotten from others posts in the short time I've been a member.
I went with the Duracell 215ah 6v batteries. After literally days of trying to find the correct box to house the bank I found the tongue box at Harbor Freight. It fits like it was made for my trailer and was only $68 compared to the hundreds of dollars I was seeing elsewhere. Sure, it's not a heavy duty beast, but it's metal, locks and fit these so well you honestly can barely get a sheet of paper between them they fit so tight

 

[Mustang65]

Don't forget to add an extra 240 lbs to your tongue weight for the batteries.. minus the original batteries weight. Not sure as to how much the battery box weighs. All numbers that need your attention.

Don

 

[klassic]

Like Mustang said, one you start you're hooked.
I started with a single 260w panel two weeks ago...now I'm putting another 260 up.
Then I'll get more batteries..then upgrade the controller. Get a moniter panel. Maybe do some wire changes.......yep hooked.

 

[Screwby]

Ok, started building the box now that I know batteries fit. First thing was to add a weatherproof wire box to the back for the trailer wires to access battery bank.

 

[Screwby]

Then I cut up a fatigue mat to line the bottom of box to cushion batteries and provide a nice base for them to sit on.
Just built a "tray" to support box better on trailer tongue and waiting for paint to dry.
Sorry for the multiple posts. I took many more pictures but when I try to post them with captions in one post it only shows one picture when I post it. I browse pictures, upload them all, select submit post, and one picture shows up....frustrating...

 

[Screwby]

Ok supports welded to frame and box mounted to trailer. Trailer is wired into new battery bank and working like a champ. Can't wait for solar panels to show up and finish this install.

 

[Screwby]

Nice and sleek like I was made to be there. Got so lucky on this fit!

 

[klassic]

That is nice box!

 

[Screwby]

That is nice box!

That's what I'm going to let everyone believe! It's a cheap $68 Harbor Freight tongue box that happened to be the exact size of 4 batteries! Find of the month for me!

 

[klassic]

I think I paid about that for a crappy plastic box for 2 6v years ago. That is a good deal. Is it metal?

 

[Screwby]

Metal and has a lock on it. It's not the most robust box ever, but perfect for what I'm using it for. I'll never be in and out of it other than to add water to the batteries

 

[Screwby]

Alright, nice weather so it's back to the project. Hopefully by the end of the day this system will be in? For future reference, 400w of Renogy solar panels fit a 2016 23RB like they were made for it!
There is actually room for 2 more panels if I got crazy and wanted to go 600w in the future.

 

[Seann45]

NICE but I bet you never thought about having to tilt them incase you go away in the winter.

 

[RoyBraddy]

I guess this is the Harbor Freight box you picked up...

2-1/4 cu. ft. Steel Trailer Tongue Box

Sure like the price... $89... I don't think the 35-inch width will be enough for me however...

Looks like I am going to need one of those 48-inch Side Mount Boxes for my four each GC2 6VDC batteries for my planned setup... These are around $250

Roy Ken

 

[RoyBraddy]

Are these the four GC2s DURACELLs you are using... I'm surprised you got them in your Harbor freight box ok... I may have to re-think my high dollar Truck Side Mount Box...

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc110

Roy Ken

 

[Screwby]

NICE but I bet you never thought about having to tilt them incase you go away in the winter.

I considered the fancy tilting mounts but as little energy as we are drawing with our little trailer and the amount of aH stored in my batteries and the 400w worth of panels....didn't seem necessary.

 

[Screwby]

I guess this is the Harbor Freight box you picked up...

2-1/4 cu. ft. Steel Trailer Tongue Box

Sure like the price... $89... I don't think the 35-inch width will be enough for me however...

Looks like I am going to need one of those 48-inch Side Mount Boxes for my four each GC2 6VDC batteries for my planned setup... These are around $250

Roy Ken

That looks like the one!