Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-28-2018, 06:30 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Tri-Cities WA
Posts: 9
First build. With solar?

Found a deal on a diesel 2004 Ford e350RB cargo van. 200k miles, but it came with new tires, rebuilt trans 30k ago, and new starter. Drove it home 5 hours with no issues. I eventually want to add 4x4 but that's the last on the list. I think I already figured out how I'm going to do the insulation. Also found a deal on some new 2018 Toyota Sienna seats. Hopefully shipping today. Now I need to figure out swivel bases for the front.

Also looking into adding solar. I'd like to use larger panels. The common size for 200-260w panels seem to be around 65" x 40". Has anyone seen them mounted on a rack at the top? I could fit 3 of them widthwise. But I'm worried about how the overhang looks. Or is there a better way to get 600w-1000w.

I'm disabled, so progress is slow. But so far I've removed all the comercial lettering on the sides. It needed a new windshield so I had one installed with a tint strip. Removed all the shelving and cargo gate. Sanded all rust spots and used jb weld as a gasket on the bolts to plug holes. Sprayed all sanded rust areas and bare metal spots with rust converter. Then used some Rustolium spray bed liner on the floor and bottom panels. Have the first layer of insulation halfway finished. Covering everything with foil backed sound deadener. Still need to finish that up and tape all the seams. Haven't started on the roof yet. Still debating about venting/vents.
Attached Images
         

SleazyWolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2018, 08:03 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
boywonder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,047
If you want to use house sized panels (60-72 cell range) you'll likely need an MPPT controller...the PWM controllers for RVs typically won't handle the voltages of those panels.
__________________
2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
boywonder is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2018, 08:11 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
ShuttlePilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 632
or is it first solar, with build?

I'm just messin with you. Welcome to the forum.

Your already cool in my book as I always say you can never have enough solar.

- Eric
__________________
2005 SMB RB 4x4 6.0 PSD
A rocket on the pad is safe,
but it's not what rockets are built for.
ShuttlePilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2018, 08:24 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Tri-Cities WA
Posts: 9
I plan on running mppt. Currently looking into building a 24v Lithium battery bank. Debating how much work I can physically still do. Soldering hundreds of cells sucks.
SleazyWolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2018, 08:40 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Bbasso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 1,258
Solar power system, yes, of course.
But KISS needs to apply for your first attemp. Once it's up and running you're going to learn a lot just from using it. And adjust as yoyr needs require. Just be sure to use quality wiring and components for a good fondation to expand with later.
The rule of thumb I agree with is for every 100AH of battery, match with 100wt PV minimum.
Even with a small system I am able to harvest more with a MPPT SCC.
Don't forget to consider a BS 7622, well worth the advantages.

PS, maybe a member here could help ya out if you care to share your location, I dig working on 12v stuff.
__________________
Rob.
Current:
2001 E350 PSD w/ a bunch of stuff.
And had three other E350s...
Bbasso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2018, 08:45 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
ShuttlePilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 632
Quote:
Originally Posted by SleazyWolf View Post
I plan on running mppt. Currently looking into building a 24v Lithium battery bank. Debating how much work I can physically still do. Soldering hundreds of cells sucks.
If I did it again I'd probably go a couple of LiFePO4 cells and be done with it. Not as high of energy density but practically zero labor. Here is my battery that's part of my van hybrid system which is one of the prettier batteries I've made.

__________________
2005 SMB RB 4x4 6.0 PSD
A rocket on the pad is safe,
but it's not what rockets are built for.
ShuttlePilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2018, 08:46 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
^^ Yep ^^ 600-1000 sounds like serious overkill. We're heavy power users and have 360 on our motorhome. We find it to be more than enough.
86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2018, 09:21 PM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Tri-Cities WA
Posts: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShuttlePilot View Post
If I did it again I'd probably go a couple of LiFePO4 cells and be done with it. Not as high of energy density but practically zero labor. Here is my battery that's part of my van hybrid system which is one of the prettier batteries I've made.

Updated location. I have been looking into the lifep04s. Would be able to build a large bank for relative little money. What voltage do you run at?
SleazyWolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2018, 09:35 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Tri-Cities WA
Posts: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bbasso View Post
Solar power system, yes, of course.
But KISS needs to apply for your first attemp. Once it's up and running you're going to learn a lot just from using it. And adjust as yoyr needs require. Just be sure to use quality wiring and components for a good fondation to expand with later.
The rule of thumb I agree with is for every 100AH of battery, match with 100wt PV minimum.
Even with a small system I am able to harvest more with a MPPT SCC.
Don't forget to consider a BS 7622, well worth the advantages.

PS, maybe a member here could help ya out if you care to share your location, I dig working on 12v stuff.
Updated location. And please forgive me, but what's a BS 7622? Is it the battery isolator?
SleazyWolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2018, 04:11 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Bbasso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 1,258
Blue sea #7622 automatic charging relay. Not an isolator, better.
it saved me once plus it's daily contribution towards the house bank.
__________________
Rob.
Current:
2001 E350 PSD w/ a bunch of stuff.
And had three other E350s...
Bbasso is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.