They didn’t have 160W panels when I bought my 80w but needed to send it back (defective) and they sent me a 160 as a replacement. There might be room for two 160W panels up there now.
Man not the first or second time I’m hearing about these defective panels. Really want to pull the trigger on the 160w, but dont want to deal with the hassle of pulling it off if things were to go wrong.
Was it hard getting the 80’s off?
20 mins as long as you don’t try to seal the edges with butyl sealant like I did (not doing that again). I wouldn’t let it hold you back. They’ll eventually get the formula right.
Im amazed at the patience i have with this project. Still not done yet, but making everything custom takes time.
CTEK D250SE dual input dcdc charger, 2x 100w solar panels on the roof, 100ah lithium battery, all mounted as clean as i can onto a piece of 6061 1/8" aluminum to the front of my bed. All wires made by me.
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For those interested in a relatively inexpensive power inverter, I came across this on my travels on the inter webs…
https://tools.woot.com/offers/gowise-power-gowise-power-1000w-pure-sine-wave-invert
Finally im almost finished. 97% complete, with just having to connect the alternator wires and add a tap to an ignition fuse.
The test run was this weekend, and it performs awesome! Cant wait to get alternator connected so ill have 2 power inputs.
Ill try to get a price breakdown too, but this is a time when DIY came out better than buying a package.
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I dig your DIY setup and I plan do something very similar.
Some of my questions are:
Do you plan to mount the battery down to something?
Where do the wires go to that are drilled into the side of the bed?
Are you planning to use grommets so the insulation doesn’t wear?
Is the CTEK a DC/DC charger?
Are you running solar?
Yes i have some things to finish with securing the battery and cable routing.
The CTEK D250SE is a dcdc charger. Im not sure what you mean by insulation. The wires on the side of the bed go to the bed light switch, and a 12v plug/USB port in the cubby. I may redo them with grommets, but im not going crazy with keeping the dust out. Its the truck bed, so dust will get in.
Yes I have 2x 100w solar panels.
The insulation of the wire. If they rub on the composite bed enough, they may get damaged. Just trying to look out.
Oh im not too worried about it. Kind of a pain to get to, but easily replaceable if it ever comes to it. They have been there for years. You can tell my progression of attention to detail for the wiring - heat shrink and loom haha
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Wassup everyone, just finished up my solar install. Here’s a short overview of the hardware I used. I caused myself extra headache because of my persistence in not drilling holes in the camper or truck (cable entry was through the small gap on driver front corner of bed)
Renogy 100w panel
Renogy adventurer charge controller
Renogy wiring set sold on their site
Genesis dual battery/isolator
2x optima yellow top batteries
GFC solar tray
GFC t track hardware
A handful of 5/8 stainless cable clamps
A handful of 1x1 adhesive zip tie mounts
Beer
Also pictures is a blue sea 12v panel that I use to power a dometic cooler and charge phones, etc
but I’m happy on how it turned out.
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200w solar panel with 20a renogy charger & 100ah WEIZE battery.
BougeRV 9BB Cell 200 Watts Mono Solar Panel,22.8% High Efficiency Module Monocrystalline Technology Work with 12 Volts Charger for RV Camping Home Boat Marine Off-Grid https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BQZF2D7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_038Q273J829RR28Q6025?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
***mine is with black aluminum frame, but this is the same, no difference.
Renogy Voyager 20A 12V/24V PWM Waterproof Solar Charge Controller w/LCD Display for AGM, Gel, Flooded and Lithium Battery, Used in RVs, Trailers, Boats, Yachts, Voyager 20A https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YXZMKD2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HS3ADHRMGCEAGM28ZVFM
Weize 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery, Up to 8000 Cycles, Built-in Smart BMS, Perfect for RV, Solar, Marine, Overland/Van, and Off Grid Applications https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09F2LLMY3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4S9CWYYHFJB4WDJZHVT5
BESTEK 1200W Power Inverter, DC 12V to 110V AC Inverter for Car with Digital LCD Display 4.2A Dual USB Car Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QP5CXZ1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_63BM6VA3NG90N6SXZV6A
You don’t need an name brand to get the better set up. All in all will be less than $1000. It has been tested at shady campground spot and also at no shade. Shady spot is a bit tough, maybe 2 days of full usage. In the sun, absolutely no power anxiety!
Make sure to get 8gage, 16gage wires, 20a shunts and 12v breakers!
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What’s the brand and size of that box you have on your roof? I’m looking for something about 20 - 21" wide, and 8 - 9" tall that’s heavy duty like that.
ROAM Adventure Co. The Rugged Case | Off Road Storage Case | Water Proof https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CS5GBYG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_V2A1EF1E8W3892TT7F0R?psc=1
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Thanks, holy shit!!! $400 US it’s the right size for my needs but that cost is out of my league LOL.
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Not quite to your exact specs but maybe this would work? I’m planning on putting one of these on the roof attached to the beef bars with a couple of maxtraxx attached to the top of it:
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I went in that way originally when GFC installed my camper, but after a year, the seal between the camper and the bed deformed, and started letting water in. I now filled that corner in with silicone, and got into the bed through a drain hole in the front corner of the bed.
Hmm I’m not sure if we are thinking of the same gap. This one does not touch or involve the GFC bulb seal. I plan on buttoning it up with spray foam this week. I’ll post a picture and see if we are thinking of the same area.
