2fpower's going to build a camping trailer

[1994pd]

The Renogy panel is an excellent panel. That charge controller may be overkill. You only need 6 amps or so and while a MPPT is more efficient it is not necessary in a single panel operation.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I'm asking this for myself, is a 100 watt panel enough for your needs? I was thinking 200 or 300 watt panels?

 

[2fpower]

The Renogy panel is an excellent panel. That charge controller may be overkill. You only need 6 amps or so and while a MPPT is more efficient it is not necessary in a single panel operation.

Very interesting, so I don't need a controller if I just plan to use this one panal?

I'm asking this for myself, is a 100 watt panel enough for your needs? I was thinking 200 or 300 watt panels?

I don't really know my power needs. I plan to really just be using power for the ARB Fridge and some LED lights for a few hours in the evening. 8.3Amps is what it says it is creating.

 

[ntsqd]

We did well with a 100w panel on our old camper. Rarely did the SoC for that camper's pair of 2GC batteries drop out of the 90's (I don't recall that ever happening, but I'm not anal about checking it either). We ran LED lights, a compressor fridge, a vent fan, and occasionally a heater off those batteries. Bought that "Grape" branded panel on sale from Costco several years ago.

My impression of Renology is that they're a brand more than a fixed product. Don't see them outside of a fairly narrow band of RV use.

Victron has a good rep in the pop-top camper world, but there are other controllers out there. I tend to favor Morningstar and Blue Sky controllers. Some options:

Search results for: 'RV Charge controller' | NAZ Solar Electric

Solar power equipment for homes, businesses boats and RVs. Backed by industry experts ready to help get your solar system up and running.

www.solar-electric.com

 

[1994pd]

No, you need a controller, you just don’t need to spend the extra $$ on an MPPT controller when a PWM will suffice.

 

[ntsqd]

Agree, if you're 'over-paneled' then what the MPPT gains you isn't worth the added cost. If you're just squeaking by on max possible panel size, then the MPPT is really worthwhile.

 

[2fpower]

After four separate orders to Amazon, finally got the solar power set up done.. if anyone else is doing this, be sure to buy two cables going from the solar panel back to your controller.

Oh, I also purchased the Bluetooth adapter so I can watch it on my phone

 

[2fpower]

Ran into an issue. The front cargo box is getting water inside somehow. @StucknKS came over and realized that the water appeared to be coming right below the latch. first we thought it was coming around the gasket surface, but it is tight. We think it is because I put the latch on this horizontal surface water is pooling in the latch depression then falling through as it does not appear waterproof.

So, the question is do I try to alter the latch, or is there a latch that would work on a horizontal surface?

K

 

[2fpower]

Time to go camping

 

[CBeckFJ]

Do you have any detailed plans of the slide out kitchen? I'm looking at making one for my M416 and yours looks great

 

[2fpower]

Do you have any detailed plans of the slide out kitchen? I'm looking at making one for my M416 and yours looks great

Nope. Everything was made to fit the opening in the trailer, the depth of the area, and the stove, so I would tell you to do the same. Maximize the space.

 

[2fpower]

Trailer pics. Solar works great.

 

[REZARF]

Southco Latches should have something to fit your existing hole and should be water tight. You could cover the hold and move to side mounted hold downs as well. Great looking trailer man, stand proud.

 

[2fpower]

I searched all over, couldn’t find anything that seemed appropriate, so chopped up the extra one I had and made this ugly thing Before :

Afrer

 

[REZARF]

Custom solutions make the world go round man. Way to go.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Great build! Very envious of your fab skills.

For the latch, I was going to suggest pulling it out adding a thick bead of silicone all around the perimeter and re-installing it, but your custom panel+gasket idea works, too!

 

[2fpower]

Great build! Very envious of your fab skills.

For the latch, I was going to suggest pulling it out adding a thick bead of silicone all around the perimeter and re-installing it, but your custom panel+gasket idea works, too!

The issue was not the perimeter, but where the T handle of the latch goes through. Since I had mounted this horizontal, the depression filled with water and then leaked through the T handle part.

It rained really good last night and no water in the compartment, so this issue is solved!

 

[Helipilot]

Nice work on the aluminum. Did you use a TIG or a MIG with the aluminum spool gun? Also, did you use a die set to do the holes for your ARB refrigerator and if so where did you source the die set? When working on aircraft aircraft inspection openings I have used a home made die set but your's look a lot cleaner.

 

[2fpower]

Nice work on the aluminum. Did you use a TIG or a MIG with the aluminum spool gun? Also, did you use a die set to do the holes for your ARB refrigerator and if so where did you source the die set? When working on aircraft aircraft inspection openings I have used a home made die set but your's look a lot cleaner.

Thanks for the compliment. I am very happy with the trailer.

Spool gun is a MIG setup. I did TIG some parts that I did not want to have to grind or that I wanted to make sure were watertight.

Die set is something I found on ebay, but don't see them there anymore... looks like these.

Amazon product ASIN B00K0TPP4M

 

[Helipilot]

Thanks for the reply. You did a very nice job on your trailer.