Solar Setups Different than SMB Solar?

[billwilson]

Coyote

Great build !

Questions:

looks like you have the controler up top? whats up with that?

have you thought about a "air dam" for the front to reduce "lift" when on hwy
under the front of the solar???

[Advanturetrek]

Here's the proposed solar design for my soon-to-be-born SMB. I'd appreciate comments and questions:

* Three SolarWorld SW-245 Modules (245 Watts each, total 735 Watts)

* Mounted on cruiser top with Iron Ridge XRL rail system (see first page of http://www.ironridge.com/assets/files/I ... System.pdf) [No custom parts, six roof penetrations total, about $250 parts]

* Morningstar Tristar MPPT 60 charge controller with temperature sensor

* Bogart TriMetric battery monitor

* Three Group 8D batteries mounted under van at rear (245 A-h each, total 735 A-h)

The "roof layout" attachment shows how the panels, fan, and mounting rails fit on the roof.

The "power estimate" attachment shows:

1) Estimated daily power requirements for summer: about 2.4 kW-hr/day

2) Estimated solar array requirements: about 3 panels assuming 5 full sun hours per day and 70% efficiency

3) Estimated battery requirements: about 4 batteries for a 3 day reserve with 50% depth of discharge

I can only fit three batteries under the van, which gives me about two days of reserve rather than three. Also, the full sun hour and efficiency estimates will vary a lot based on location and weather. Ideally, I'd add a few extra batteries and panels for a larger margin, but they won't fit.

But, I think, with a bit of care and conservation, the estimate is close enough to satisfy my requirements. This estimate doesn't include charge from the alternator. I expect to run the computers only 5 days per week. And, if the weather is consistently bad, I'll drive somewhere else.

Am I missing anything? Is my estimate consistent with your experiences?

Thanks,
-Peter

[BroncoHauler]

That's a lot of panel square footage up there. It wouldn't be aesthetically pleasing, but have you considered offsetting the panels fully to the driver's or passenger's side, in order to provide a small edge to walk on if you need rooftop access?


Herb

[billwilson]

here is what i based my usage on
was converted by affordable solar to watt hours

Guestimates amps/hr number hours per day
fridge 4.0 cu ft 3 8.00 24.00
TV 15 "flat panel 5 4.00 20.00
water pump 4 1.00 4.00
lite 1.5 5.00 7.50
fan 1.7 10.00 17.00
radio 3 4.00 12.00
LP detector 0.2 24.00 5.00
CO detector 0.2 24.00 5.00
laptop 3 4.00 12.00
cell phone charger 1 3.00 3.00
109.50

sorry it is a cut and paste job

[billwilson]

I like Okies direction:

questions ( not to piss you off, just questions

why not blue sky and kyocera?

why 8d vs 4d

where you gonna mount the antenna for sattalite internet

have you ever used the internet sattalie service

are you SURE of the draw for the sattilite system???

where is your back up for multiple days of rain and snow

what is your interior build consist of:
fridge, lights (led?) tv, dvd, sink, grey water, water tank, stove, propane
(this has to do w/ room under rig to sling batteries)

electric lift on PH, i hope due to weight

why an electric toilet...

post a floor plan so we can help

bw

[Advanturetrek]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

That's a lot of panel square footage up there. It wouldn't be aesthetically pleasing, but have you considered offsetting the panels fully to the driver's or passenger's side, in order to provide a small edge to walk on if you need rooftop access?


Herb

Yes, that's a lot of panels. According to the photos and dimensions I have from SMB Texas, the edges of the cruiser top are rounded, so I think it'll be difficult to walk up there even with offset panels. Do you have a different experience?

-Peter

[daveb]

Man that's a lot of draw. I can't wait to see your build. Will those panels be warranteed on an RV? Just curious.

My situation is different and although each owner must build to suit their needs, where I go I couldn't have a taller vehicle than what I have now much less more more solar up top. I guess it all depends on where you want to travel and what you plan to use the vehicle for.

I have a small demand for power and 2 4-D batteries are more than ample for what I need. For a few years I was able to get by with a single 4-D and adding the other battery really put on extra weight. If I wanted to add more weight I would have to go with a larger axle, springs, brakes, ect. Hopefully your interior weight will be minimal.

I still charge up to full by 9AM in good sun and would probably rely on driving to recharge in overcast conditions. Things might be different if I was full timing and would probably have a gen pack. I now have a 270A alternator to boot.

Having a huge solar array is cool, but would hinder me in where I want to travel...same reason I had to go with a PH. I even worry about the rack I have on top. JMO.

[Advanturetrek]

Thanks for your interest and questions.

Originally Posted by billwilson

why not blue sky and kyocera?

The dimensions of the SolarWorld panels allow me to fit more wattage than with Kyocera panels -- it's just panel size vs. roof size. The SMB standard BlueSky controller is undersized for the selected panels. BlueSky makes great higher capacity controllers, but the Morningstar seems more flexible to me based on the manuals.

Originally Posted by billwilson

why 8d vs 4d

Given the space available under the vehicle and battery dimensions, the group 8D batteries give more capacity. Three 8Ds or three 4Ds will fit according to SMB Texas.

Originally Posted by billwilson

where you gonna mount the antenna for sattalite internet

The satellite dish will be portable, manual, and mount on a tripod outside the vehicle.

Originally Posted by billwilson

have you ever used the internet sattalie service

No. I welcome comments and first-hand experience.

Originally Posted by billwilson

are you SURE of the draw for the sattilite system???

The manual for the satellite system states 2.8 A at 24 V maximum (2.8 A * 24 V = 67.2 W). The tripod mounted units take much less power than the automatic units.

Originally Posted by billwilson

where is your back up for multiple days of rain and snow

I have two days worth of battery power with no sun ... after that, I'll have to start the engine, buy a generator, find shore power, turn off equipment, or drive somewhere sunnier.

Originally Posted by billwilson

what is your interior build consist of:
fridge, lights (led?) tv, dvd, sink, grey water, water tank, stove, propane
(this has to do w/ room under rig to sling batteries)

Yes to everything, except for the TV and DVD.

Originally Posted by billwilson

electric lift on PH, i hope due to weight

I'm going for a fixed top.

Originally Posted by billwilson

why an electric toilet...

I want a composting toilet (viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5808) so there's no black water tank. This toilet needs a small exhaust fan.

Originally Posted by billwilson

post a floor plan so we can help

Please see attached. The open rear is for storing toys. The bed is up top above the cab.

-Peter

[billwilson]

Originally Posted by Okie

Thanks for your interest and questions.

The dimensions of the SolarWorld panels allow me to fit more wattage than with Kyocera panels -- it's just panel size vs. roof size. The SMB standard BlueSky controller is undersized for the selected panels. BlueSky makes great higher capacity controllers, but the Morningstar seems more flexible to me based on the manuals.

Got it, Makes sense

Given the space available under the vehicle and battery dimensions, the group 8D batteries give more capacity. Three 8Ds or three 4Ds will fit according to SMB Texas.

Notice you have no XL storage
Putting batteries there
I also have a cruiser top
I have, propane, dual transflow fuel, one 4d under and xl storage
no grey water, no black, and water tank under gaucho

i have no room for another 4d set up so my two group 27 are under gaucho

a) dont see any upper cabinets
b) i could not do w/o my xl storage

The satellite dish will be portable, manual, and mount on a tripod outside the vehicle.

No. I welcome comments and first-hand experience.

No experiance, but i am pretty sure the price tag is close to $5,000 for the set up
Me, i would want to test one out with my own laptop......

The manual for the satellite system states 2.8 A at 24 V maximum (2.8 A * 24 V = 67.2 W). The tripod mounted units take much less power than the automatic units.

I have relitives in Missori
"show me" LOL
again, see above
if you are counting on this to work the Sat system is a key componet
someone somewhere has one up and running to test

I have two days worth of battery power with no sun ... after that, I'll have to start the engine, buy a generator, find shore power, turn off equipment, or drive somewhere sunnier.

consider the upgraded alternators and or dual alt

btw, what kind of seperator?

Yes to everything, except for the TV and DVD.

I'm going for a fixed top.


Ahh, a smart man, another cruiser top

I want a composting toilet (viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5808) so there's no black water tank. This toilet needs a small exhaust fan.

I like my $70 thetford pottie
one less system to break
(you have several systems...)
I would suggest again findingsomeone that has one and get first hand stuff
a pottie eats up alot of real estate

Please see attached. The open rear is for storing toys. The bed is up top above the cab.

One person sleeping or two
what is the bed config, meaing are thier panels to store up there?
If so, it eats up your storage space, which again points to a XL storage

We sleep below in our cruiser, the Upper deck is where the bedding and Stuff live
w/o that space, the entire interior would be clutterd

Also, so not see where you gonna store the computer equip......

-Peter

Also you show a swing away
Ya might as well surrender and get a Aluminess rear bump with a BABB (Big Ass Baja Box)
you are gonna need it:
firewood
bbq
stuff

[frostyone]

Peter,

Have you checked these out?

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc1800.htm

Very nice batteries, great size(maybe you can squeeze in your 4th?), though quite spendy...

Frosty