Portable Solar Panel Install - Renogy Kit to Furrion Socket

[North_of_45]

Hi all,
I just completed the set up for a 100 watt "starter kit" from Renogy, on my 29RS fifth wheel.
We do not boondock very often, so I did not want to spend a lot on a generator or solar system.
But, a week in the desert near Quartzsite, AZ., just may be in our future.

Project descripition:

The Renogy starter kit is a 100 watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit with 20A Rover MPPT Charge Controller.
It is meant to be a permanent install solar panel, but I wanted the most flexability possible to follow the sun, and made it portable
with a hinged support leg of the backside,...... aluminum tube pop riveted to a narrow hinge. This steel cable keeps the leg from
hinging all the way out.
I decided to mount the power controller under the fifth wheel front overhang to keep it out of potential rain & shorting out.
I gave it quick disconnect capability with a Battery Quick Connect Disconnect Electrical Plug 6-10 Gauge 75 Amps for Recovery Winch or ATV Quad, from Amazon.
The plug for the Furrion power port is: 2 Pins Power Connector Male Plug Bayonet Waterproof IP67, from Amazon.
A slide-in bracket on the back of controller fits to a base mount bolted to the FW front storage door.
The steel bracket is cut from a 6x8 inch "T" reinforcement, normally used for heavy lumber construction: from Lowes.
This makes it possible to store the solar panel and controller inside for travel.

Deployment:
Just attach two plugs into sockets, position the panel towards the sun, and you will have up to 8 amps of sun power charging your battery.
Total cost- $320

Tested this morning in full sunshine, the power to battery was 7.6 - 8.2 amps. Battery was fully charged in an hour from 90%.

I am planning a hanging, slide-in storage rack in the basement for the main panel, so it will be safely out of the way for travel.

Just thought I would share this idea for any other part time "Boondockers" out there.

Larry

[Rodney Stokes]

I also have a 29RS. Love the idea. Thanks.

[orbiker]

Nice

I won a 80 w panel at the GD rally in Oregon. I already had purchased a 120 w portable panel. My 120 came with the Battery Quick Connect Disconnect Electrical Plug connectors. One that went to directly to the battery. I put a Battery Quick Connect Disconnect Electrical Plug connector onto the 80 w panel connector. It's a better connector then the Furron connector.

P.S. you might want to put your controller inside the compartment.

[North_of_45]

I forgot an important step of deployment......
Remove the controller from the front storage compartment, and slide it down, into the base mount slot.

The controller will be stored inside for travel.
It is mounted outside for cooling airflow during usage.

Thanks for the heads up, Orbiker.

[jmbopp]

MPPT controller? I'm surprised - usually starter kits come with a PWM controller.

[North_of_45]

Yes, it is a great kit.
Well worth the low cost.
The MPPT controller is the reason the output to battery is way more than 3-4 amps that a PWM would offer, from a 100 watt solar panel.

[offtohavasu]

MPPT controller? I'm surprised - usually starter kits come with a PWM controller.

Renogy offers both on their website.

[Jimbuck]

Hi all,
I just completed the set up for a 100 watt "starter kit" from Renogy, on my 29RS fifth wheel.
We do not boondock very often, so I did not want to spend a lot on a generator or solar system.
But, a week in the desert near Quartzsite, AZ., just may be in our future.

Project descripition:

The Renogy starter kit is a 100 watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit with 20A Rover MPPT Charge Controller.
It is meant to be a permanent install solar panel, but I wanted the most flexability possible to follow the sun, and made it portable
with a hinged support leg of the backside,...... aluminum tube pop riveted to a narrow hinge. This steel cable keeps the leg from
hinging all the way out.
I decided to mount the power controller under the fifth wheel front overhang to keep it out of potential rain & shorting out.
I gave it quick disconnect capability with a Battery Quick Connect Disconnect Electrical Plug 6-10 Gauge 75 Amps for Recovery Winch or ATV Quad, from Amazon.
The plug for the Furrion power port is: 2 Pins Power Connector Male Plug Bayonet Waterproof IP67, from Amazon.
A slide-in bracket on the back of controller fits to a base mount bolted to the FW front storage door.
The steel bracket is cut from a 6x8 inch "T" reinforcement, normally used for heavy lumber construction: from Lowes.
This makes it possible to store the solar panel and controller inside for travel.

Deployment:
Just attach two plugs into sockets, position the panel towards the sun, and you will have up to 8 amps of sun power charging your battery.
Total cost- $320

Tested this morning in full sunshine, the power to battery was 7.6 - 8.2 amps. Battery was fully charged in an hour from 90%.

I am planning a hanging, slide-in storage rack in the basement for the main panel, so it will be safely out of the way for travel.

Just thought I would share this idea for any other part time "Boondockers" out there.

Larry

It's been almost a year and a half, have you had a chance to use the setup out in the wild? I am looking to either make or buy some kind of support set up for my panel that came without one. Did not wish to spend loads of money on the whole rig as I also will be using my generator/inverter as well, but wanted something to hold it up and at the correct angle.

[North_of_45]

Yes, we camped in the desert at the Quartsite Rally last January. Stayed four nights. The 100 watt panel was deployed the first two nights. The 42 degree temps at night required furnace fsns and we had a CPAP machine on all night.
Two 12 volt batteries ran down to 55 percent on the third morning.
Days were sunny and 7 - 8 amps was read on the meter most times checked.
Without a CPAP machine, I think we would have had enough recharge capability for the batteries
A neighbor loaned a small Honda generator for our last two days.

[North_of_45]

Correction: the 100 watt panel was deployed the first two DAYS.