Solar added (From TapaTalk Forum)

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  • #28592
    CLOC-AdminCLOC-Admin
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        Posted: 8:23 AM – Apr 24, 2016
        Itinerant1
        Startlight Solar had a cancellation and was able to get the solar on sooner than expected was thinking the summer end of year.

        500AH GBS LFMP
        PT-100 controller
        Magnum Hybrid 3000W inverter
        8 panels, CTI 160 (1,280 watts) had it wired so 2 more panels can be added later if we want.

        So far after a couple weeks the system is great. We’re able to run the fridge, TV/ DVD, coffee pot in the morning, Microwave when we want, plugin the laptops and charge the phones plus other misc things. The system is setup so we can hook up the EU2000 gen for the AC so the Batteries and Gen share the load haven’t tried it yet but when we do will update how it goes.

        By the end of sunny day the batteries are completely full with running fridge and other misc things during the charging time. Haven’t had all day shade or rain yet to test the length we’ll get out of them but if that happens we’ll just switch the fridge to propane. The fridge is the biggest long term consumer of power for us at this time.


        Posted: 8:46 AM – Apr 24, 2016
        warthog
        Nice system setup. One question, what is your hot water heater set on electric or propane? We have been thinking about getting solar for some time but not doing anything yet.

        Nate


        Posted: 8:55 AM – Apr 24, 2016
        Itinerant1
        We’re using propane. Turn it on for a short bit in the morning to warm it then turn it off.

        Posted: 8:37 PM – Apr 24, 2016
        rwb_wl
        Great setup with newest technology

        Posted: 10:17 PM – Apr 24, 2016
        Itinerant1
        Thanks,
        Still have a lot to learn but no better time than the present.

        Posted: 1:22 PM – Dec 24, 2016
        Itinerant1
        A little update since adding the solar.

        We have boondocked for free 200 days and paid for 65 days. Our daily power usage averages out to 140 AH and that depends on the weather if it’s warm, because our fridge can’t stay cool at times with propane so we’ll cool it down on electric for a few hours. That will be taken care of soon with a Amish cooling unit.

        So with 400 AH usable and using 140 AH that puts us at 3 days before needing to think about plugging in the generator if no sun comes out. The generator (Honda EU2000i) will charge 100 Amps in an hour so we’ll usually leave it on for 2 hours if it needs a little hold over boost till the next day when the sun comes out. It’s roughly been a dozen times.

        Obviously the system is more than someone who doesn’t boondock a lot or is just a power hog would put on their rig. We figured why do without when off the beaten trail. Going off previous years of RVing the price of the system should pay for itself at the end of next year if we boondock the same amount of days. Which equals $5000 saved on rv parks and $4000 in tax credit for solar.

        As many have said before the only thing that we regret is not doing it sooner. If there are any specific question someone might have please ask and I’ll try to answer the best I can. Thanks


        Posted: 4:22 PM – Dec 24, 2016
        rajones19
        OK, I have to ask – what is an Amish cooling unit? Is that a horse on a treadmill connected to a generator? :)

        Posted: 4:52 PM – Dec 24, 2016
        Itinerant1
        Here is a read if you would like. With links in it for more info.

        http://maliasmiles.com/amish-cooling-units/


        Posted: 4:16 AM – Oct 21, 2017
        Morber
        How much weight overall did the entire setup add? Looks like about 400 lbs or so?  We are watching our added weights carefully so we stay legal.
        Looks like a nice install!!

        B.W.Gentry
        Owner/Admin
        2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
        Breckenridge, TX

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      • #71878
        Itinerant1Itinerant1
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          After being away from the forum I rejoined again.  Figured to update this thread started almost 8 years ago.

          The system is still operational and performing nicely.  It hasn’t been off in this period of time. We fulltime and just about all the time is boondocking. The LFP batteries have just been fantastic with solar charging in the background quietly and runing misc loads throughout the day. Since the system was installed we’ve boondocked 2,685 of 2,868.  1,074 days was our longest stretch off grid and was only stopped due to having some work done on the front frame. As of today we’re at 839 days of boondocking. Our daily consumption of power is between 175-225ah daily using all the appliances in the 5th wheel. The batteries have over 2,685 partial cycles on them equalling over a 1,000 full cycles so far. If there is degradation of the batteries I have not seen/ noticed it after this period of time.

          Just a little update for those that might come across this. ;)

          • This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by Itinerant1Itinerant1.
          #72121
          JohnD222JohnD222
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            Great news for those concerned about reliability.  Our 2010 setup is still operating.  It has been off grid a small fraction of your time.  Primarily due to travel areas.   Our’s is also considerably smaller – 400 watts (at almost any sun angle) with 300 ah of originally titan lead/acid, now lithium ion.

            JohnD222
            Based in Florida except summer
            2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

            #73275
            HkjrHkjr
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              What was the front frame problem you had fixed, if I can ask?

              I have a 2011 37 RESLS.  With all the “frame flex” problems I am interested to know if that was ever a problem with the big Carriage Cameo’s.

              thanks

              HK

               

              #73868
              Itinerant1Itinerant1
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                When I first purchased the trailer the molding screws shown in one of the images moved and started oblonging the holes. After a couple years decided to drop the front cover and noticed the damage.

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