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  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper Dave27's Avatar
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    Solar-Inverter-Converter/charger Project

    After a winter of planning and reading about solar panel systems, the project is finally complete. It came together easily because I carefully thought through every step in the planning. I had to, because I have never done anything like this before. I learned a lot about electricity and how these components work.

    My batteries have been fully charged for the first because now I have both a solar controller and converter/charger that use the proper voltage for the stages, and even correct for temperature. We will be heading to Colorado in three weeks, and looking forward to living in our camper, off the grid.

    We mainly like to camp in rustic campgrounds. We don’t have many demands for 120 volt electricity – CPAP, recharging the laptop and other portable electronics. So we only need a small inverter (300 watt) that will power all the receptacles. The main battery bank is two 6 volt Trojan T 105s, with the original 12 v as back up. We use a Trimetric 2030 RV Battery System Monitor. I like the idea of having the camper under trees, and move two 100 Watt solar panels into the sun. They are free standing with 60 feet of #8 PV wire, and wired in series to minimize voltage loss. Photos are attached and a PDF with the wiring diagram, a photo of my Power Center, and I marked the changes. My purchases are listed below.

    It was a fun project, thank you everyone that shared your experience, I could not have done it without reading the details of how you planned and installed yours.

    Dave

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    Purchases:

    2 HQST 100 WATT 12 VOLT POLYCRYSTALLINE SOLAR PANEL
    https://www.hqsolarpower.com/100W-12.../hqst-100p.htm

    Morningstar ProStar 25A MPPT Solar Charge Controller PS-MPPT-25M
    http://invertersrus.com/product/morningstar-psmppt25m/

    Morningstar Remote Temperature Sensor RTS
    http://invertersrus.com/product/morningstar-rts/

    2 MidNite Solar MNEDC 30 Amp 150VDC Panel Mount DC Circuit Breakers
    https://www.solar-electric.com/pamodccibr.html

    Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool Central Hydraulics® - item#66150
    https://www.harborfreight.com/hydrau...ool-66150.html

    Cable Cutter, Shear Cut, 9-1/4 In GREENLEE| Zoro #: G2900931| Mfr #: 727
    https://www.zoro.com/greenlee-cable-...A&gclsrc=aw.ds

    2 Pair Black + Red Solar Panel Extension Cable Wire MC4 Connector 8 Gauge (AWG) 10’ and 60’
    http://www.windynation.com/jzv/prod?itemId=5318

    Ten Pairs of MC4 Connectors for Solar Panels
    http://www.windynation.com/MC4-Conne...298?p=YzE9MzU=

    Disconnect Tool for MC4 Connectors SKU: PV-MS
    https://www.solar-electric.com/ditoformc4co.html

    2 Blue Sea Terminal Fuse - 100 AMP
    https://www.wholesalemarine.com/blue...e-100-amp.html

    2 Blue Sea Terminal Fuse Block BSS-5191
    https://www.wholesalemarine.com/fuse-block.html

    2 Adjustable Solar Panel Mount Mounting Rack Bracket -- Boat, RV, Roof, Off-Grid
    Brand: Windy Nation Model: SOL-AJBR-01
    https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-So...SIN=B00SBCKLYO

    Bus Bar - 4 x 5/16" Stud - 250 Amp - Red
    https://www.amazon.com/Bus-Bar-Stud-.../dp/B01M3U1DSY

    Progressive Dynamics 9260C 60 Amp RV Converter/Charger
    http://www.bestconverter.com/PD-9260...l#.WSy-IsuGOM9

    WFCO T57 50 Amp Transfer Switch https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

    Morningstar SureSine 300 Watt Power Inverter si-300-115v
    http://invertersrus.com/product/morn...r-si-300-115v/

    TEMCo WC0180 Welding Cable - 2 AWG 50 ft - 50% Red 50% Black https://www.temcoindustrial.com/temc...ing-cable.html

    TEMCo Ring Terminal Lugs - Bare Copper or Tin-plated
    https://www.temcoindustrial.com/ring-terminals.html

    Home Depot:
    12/2 wire
    6/3 wire w/ ground
    16 AWG wire, black and white
    Misc. hardware
    2016 Reflection 27RL
    2015 Silverado 2500HD 6L
    B&W Patriot 18k slider
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  2. #2
    King Pin
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    Nicely done Dave. One of the things I really enjoy about working on my own RV is the knowledge that is acquired.

    Jim

  3. #3
    New Member
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    Oh my. Where do I start? Well thank you for letting me join. My wife and I have a new 2021 Reflection 303 RLS. I have started the solar upgrade but have ran into a snag. I ran the OEM shore power cord to the VE Multi Plus 2 12/3000/120 to the in port then ran wire from the VE MP2 from the out to the A/C panel. I have 4 Battle Born 100ah each batteries for storage of power that connect to the VEMP2 respectfully with a cutoff switch and fuse between them. I unplugged the OEM converter from the back of the A/C panel. I also removed the white/black wires from the D/C panel just to make sure there is no stray connection. That's all I have for now.
    Now I don't have any D/C power unless I reconnect the OEM converter back up. How am I to connect the D/C to the A/C so I'll have D/C power?
    Help is very much appreciated.

  4. #4
    Site Sponsor TerryH's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CNR USA View Post
    Oh my. Where do I start? Well thank you for letting me join. My wife and I have a new 2021 Reflection 303 RLS. I have started the solar upgrade but have ran into a snag. I ran the OEM shore power cord to the VE Multi Plus 2 12/3000/120 to the in port then ran wire from the VE MP2 from the out to the A/C panel. I have 4 Battle Born 100ah each batteries for storage of power that connect to the VEMP2 respectfully with a cutoff switch and fuse between them. I unplugged the OEM converter from the back of the A/C panel. I also removed the white/black wires from the D/C panel just to make sure there is no stray connection. That's all I have for now.
    Now I don't have any D/C power unless I reconnect the OEM converter back up. How am I to connect the D/C to the A/C so I'll have D/C power?
    Help is very much appreciated.
    You would be much better served to start your own thread in the Solar Systems and Generators section instead of piggybacking onto someone else's.
    2021 Momentum 31G
    2021 20' Haulmark Edge race trailer
    '17 Ram CCLB 3500 dually 6.7 turbo
    '96 Chevy C3500 CC dually 454
    2019 Honda Talon X
    1985 Honda FL350R Odyssey

  5. #5
    Site Team Soundsailor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CNR USA View Post
    Oh my. Where do I start? Well thank you for letting me join. My wife and I have a new 2021 Reflection 303 RLS. I have started the solar upgrade but have ran into a snag. I ran the OEM shore power cord to the VE Multi Plus 2 12/3000/120 to the in port then ran wire from the VE MP2 from the out to the A/C panel. I have 4 Battle Born 100ah each batteries for storage of power that connect to the VEMP2 respectfully with a cutoff switch and fuse between them. I unplugged the OEM converter from the back of the A/C panel. I also removed the white/black wires from the D/C panel just to make sure there is no stray connection. That's all I have for now.
    Now I don't have any D/C power unless I reconnect the OEM converter back up. How am I to connect the D/C to the A/C so I'll have D/C power?
    Help is very much appreciated.
    First off @CNR USA, welcome to the forum. Hope you're enjoying the new coach. As @TerryH says, this would be better if you start your own thread. And a bit more information with pictures would be helpful.
    Stephen and Judy
    2022 Reflection 150 Series 260RD (Stella)
    2017 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD (Blue)
    Traded - 2018 Forest River Rockwood Minilite 2104S

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