Hey all,
Thought I'd share my project of adding solar power to my old '93 Coleman popup tent trailer. Mrs. 90wt and I seriously contemplated buying a new camper trailer this year as our Coleman is aging and doesn't have many of the standard features newer trailers come with. After a lot of discussion (usually with bourbon) and running the numbers, we decided to perform some upgrades to the little trailer instead of buying new. Of particular interest, was adding a long-term power option that allowed us the freedom of running some electronics and powering an ARB fridge without a gas generator along.
After much google-ing on IH8MUD and other sites, I feel like I've found a good solution for what we need. All in all it wasn't as much money as I thought I'd have to spend. And it has been a super fun project to geek out on.
The major parts:
Renogy Foldable solar suitcase - 100w folding panel without charge controller.
Victron 75/15 MPPT SmartSolar charge controller
75aH deep cycle battery already on my trailer.
Zamp 300w pure sin inverter
The minor parts:
Renogy wire: 20 ft package from solar panel to charge controller
Renogy wire: 8 ft package from charge controller to battery
10 gauge wire
Lots of wire connectors and shrink tubing
wire strippers
electrical tape, red and black
two 12 volt sockets (cig lighter type)
More to come.
Thought I'd share my project of adding solar power to my old '93 Coleman popup tent trailer. Mrs. 90wt and I seriously contemplated buying a new camper trailer this year as our Coleman is aging and doesn't have many of the standard features newer trailers come with. After a lot of discussion (usually with bourbon) and running the numbers, we decided to perform some upgrades to the little trailer instead of buying new. Of particular interest, was adding a long-term power option that allowed us the freedom of running some electronics and powering an ARB fridge without a gas generator along.
After much google-ing on IH8MUD and other sites, I feel like I've found a good solution for what we need. All in all it wasn't as much money as I thought I'd have to spend. And it has been a super fun project to geek out on.
The major parts:
Renogy Foldable solar suitcase - 100w folding panel without charge controller.
Victron 75/15 MPPT SmartSolar charge controller
75aH deep cycle battery already on my trailer.
Zamp 300w pure sin inverter
The minor parts:
Renogy wire: 20 ft package from solar panel to charge controller
Renogy wire: 8 ft package from charge controller to battery
10 gauge wire
Lots of wire connectors and shrink tubing
wire strippers
electrical tape, red and black
two 12 volt sockets (cig lighter type)
More to come.