solar question - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Problem Solving | Owners helping each other
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-18-2014, 02:39 PM   #1
Member
 
Ellentob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 74
solar question

I see there are dozens of aftermarket solar battery charges available. I assume they have to be connected directly to the battery. Has anyone had any experience with any of them? If I ordered a 12v outlet on the trailer's exterior, couldn't I use that to plug in on of these RV chargers? Would that work?

Thanks,

Harris
Ellentob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2014, 02:48 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
thoer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,232
Harris - there is a lot of discussion on portable chargers here http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...html#post44389

(Maybe more than you'll want! LOL)
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)

"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
thoer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2014, 03:56 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
In addition, if you get the front tool box, the battery is located there for easy solar hook up.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2014, 05:40 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
One minor point with portable solar. If you plan to install a battery monitor such as a TM2025, you need to connect the portable controller to the input side of the monitor. Connecting it directly to the battery will work, but since the charge current won't be going through the monitor, your amp hour figures will be incorrect.
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2014, 06:00 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
I know I just don't get it but...
The Coleman 40W portable solar panel I have has a controller. Says it has overcharge protection, and at only 40W that's not likely anyway. So, I just planned to connect it to the battery terminals and forget it. Later I'll just use my voltmeter to see if I got any charge.
If I have to, I'll fire up the Honda EU1000i. I'm hoping I can reduce generator use.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2014, 06:27 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellentob View Post
I see there are dozens of aftermarket solar battery charges available. I assume they have to be connected directly to the battery. Has anyone had any experience with any of them? If I ordered a 12v outlet on the trailer's exterior, couldn't I use that to plug in on of these RV chargers? Would that work?

Thanks,

Harris
Harris
As far as I can tell, you'd need to figure out the voltage drop from the array to the battery. You'll also have to check the fuse.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2014, 09:23 PM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 579
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I know I just don't get it but...
The Coleman 40W portable solar panel I have has a controller. Says it has overcharge protection, and at only 40W that's not likely anyway. So, I just planned to connect it to the battery terminals and forget it. Later I'll just use my voltmeter to see if I got any charge.
If I have to, I'll fire up the Honda EU1000i. I'm hoping I can reduce generator use.
SHOCKING You mentioned using a a generator ... Sorry had to since there are some strong feelings for and against usage of one. :}


Cypher
Cypherian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2014, 09:35 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
One who is against sleeps in the same bed as me. And I was only running it 45 min to an hour in the morning to top up my battery.
So, I shall give this solar a chance. But, I'm bringing the genset.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2014, 11:23 AM   #9
Member
 
Ellentob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 74
It looks like the 12v battery on the 19 is mounted on the tongue behind the propane tanks. That would make clipping a solar charger directly to the battery a snap. It looks like recharging during the day will extend the time off grid as well as keeping the charge up when in storage. ETI will install an exterior 12v outlet near the front and use a heavier gauge wire for $100. I guess that would be neater than alligator clips but would it work as well for recharging?
Ellentob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2014, 11:44 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
I'd skip the outlet and hook directly to the battery, anytime you can eliminate wire length with 12v and solar you are better off, don't forget your controller though.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2014, 12:22 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Carlsbad, California, California
Trailer: 2003 Scamp 16' SOLD , 2008 Airstream 19'
Posts: 107
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
I'd skip the outlet and hook directly to the battery, anytime you can eliminate wire length with 12v and solar you are better off, don't forget your controller though.
Jim,
That's true, but installing the receptacle within 12" of the battery would not cause measurable voltage drop if using properly sized wire. You would not only gain convenience by not having to remove the battery cover, but safety from sparking when connecting the panel/panels. Often the panels are set out in the sun when making the connection, so live voltage on the line. I would not use a cigarette lighter receptacle for the connector, as there are better choices available.
Russ
ruscal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2014, 12:56 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
I think someone posted a marine style fitting with 2 prongs.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2014, 01:18 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
I agree with Russ - using the standard 12V outlet would require a male connector on the panel side - easy to short prior to connecting.

Two connectors I'd consider:
Neutrik speakON Connectors. While designed for audio speakers, they are rated at 30 amps, 2 or 4 pole, available as cable & chassis mount, and inexpensive (under $5.00 each). While the chassis mount is sealed front to back, it is not waterproof. I've used these, and they hold up well.

While I haven't used them, Amazon lists this waterproof connector - 4 pole & rated at 15 amps.

Either of these would carry the necessary current, and provide short circuit protection for the panel.
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2014, 01:25 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
fudge_brownie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,879
Connecting Solar to Battery on Escape 19

Here are several methods of connecting a portable solar panel to the battery on an Escape 19. Both are quite inexpensive, the method using the vehicle side Bargman connector is detailed in a file called Solar Made Easy here on the forum. This would result in a bit longer run between the solar charger and the battery.

Because of the desire to shorten the cable run between the solar charger and battery I have installed a different connector. It is a Powerwerx 15 Amp Connector. The photo is the solar side of the connector, hanging off the battery box is 6 inches of 10 gauge wire with another identical connector. The connector is very unobtrusive, it is high enough it will not get dipped in water and keyed for the proper polarity on the connection.

I have not found much difference between the two methods, however I do not have the sophistication to measure charges that a device such as the Trimetric TM-2025 will bring.

For a discussion of other solar postings I refer you to this thread regarding Bogart Engineering Products
Attached Thumbnails
DSCN0234.jpg   Powerwerx 15 Amp.JPG  
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
fudge_brownie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2014, 06:46 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Carlsbad, California, California
Trailer: 2003 Scamp 16' SOLD , 2008 Airstream 19'
Posts: 107
I used the same Anderson Powerpole connector that Paul used. They are sold by Powerwerx.com, and available in different current ratings. Unlike most connectors the Powerpoles can be plugged in under load without the arcing doing any harm to the conductive surface. The arc happens out at the tip of the plug, dissipates, and then the conductors drag upon one another until seated. I think they will provide many years of service for our usage. They can be panel mounted with optional clips, and the conductor pins can be specified to fit your desired wire gauge. They are not weatherproof, but will probably stay clean enough with frequent use to not cause problems with resistance. Maybe dielectric grease would prevent corrosion?
Russ

Link:http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=C....powerwerx.com
ruscal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2014, 09:35 PM   #16
Member
 
Ellentob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 74
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vermilye View Post
I agree with Russ - using the standard 12V outlet would require a male connector on the panel side - easy to short prior to connecting.

Two connectors I'd consider:
Neutrik speakON Connectors. While designed for audio speakers, they are rated at 30 amps, 2 or 4 pole, available as cable & chassis mount, and inexpensive (under $5.00 each). While the chassis mount is sealed front to back, it is not waterproof. I've used these, and they hold up well.

While I haven't used them, Amazon lists this waterproof connector - 4 pole & rated at 15 amps.

Either of these would carry the necessary current, and provide short circuit protection for the panel.
Jon--

What is the problem using a standard 12v cigarette type connector to plug in the solar panel and controller in order to recharge the battery. All these other connectors just seem to make the whole DIY process more difficult for the layman.
Ellentob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2014, 12:25 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Carlsbad, California, California
Trailer: 2003 Scamp 16' SOLD , 2008 Airstream 19'
Posts: 107
What Jon was explaining was that the cigarette lighter plug has exposed conductors protruding from the body of the plug. If you happened to touch the plug to any metal it could short out the panel's output. Those plugs were intended for plugging in accessories that draw current, not produce it.
It does sometimes take more effort to do a project correctly, but the outcome is more satisfying.
If you opt for simple alligator clip to battery, you would want a plug at the panel end so it could be left un-plugged until all battery connections were completed and then plug in the panel end. The panel wire should also have a fuse in line. When disconnecting the system you would un-plug the panel end first and then the battery. That would avoid sparking which could blow the battery up in your face. You would use color coded alligator clips to help with proper polarity.
If you spent the time up front to set up the Power pole connectors you would just plug it in with no worries of sparking or polarity.
Russ
ruscal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2014, 10:42 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
I'd skip the outlet and hook directly to the battery, anytime you can eliminate wire length with 12v and solar you are better off...
While direct is good, I'll add one more reason not to use battery clips: they don't make reliable contact. Any permanently installed wiring leading to any reasonable plug-in connection will likely be better.

The connector options already shown are great. Although I think they are lousy connectors, there is also the series of inline connectors with "bullet" contacts: they are used in a 4-pin version for trailers without brakes, and are very common in a 2-pin version for inexpensive solar panel kits (such as the Sunforce 15W kit). If the panel came in a kit and already has this style of wiring, it probably has a "pigtail" of a two-pin connector on one end and bare wire ends (or clips that can be cut off) on the other, just waiting to have simple ring terminals crimped on and bolted to the battery terminals. Definitely a step below the other setups described, but really easy DIY.

The classic "lighter socket" is definitely not good, because it's a bad connector (high resistance, doesn't stay engaged well) and the readily available hardware would put the male on the panel output, which has the problem already described. The only reason I can think of to use this connector at all is to plug in stuff that already has this style of plug, and that doesn't apply in the solar panel output situation.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2014, 10:53 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Dave Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
If I were doing this mod, I think that I would use a plug and connector that is something like these aviation style plugs.
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad

"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
Dave Walter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2014, 03:13 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Carlsbad, California, California
Trailer: 2003 Scamp 16' SOLD , 2008 Airstream 19'
Posts: 107
At the panel end of the wire solar manufacturers seem to be standardizing on the MC4 connectors. My Renogy panels have about 4' of pigtail at the panels. The MC4 is weatherproof and locks when pushed together. To release you use a custom tool to depress the finger locks. A drawback to the MC4 other than having to use a tool to release is that the pins can only accommodate 10 gauge wire max. If your controller is panel mounted 10 gauge can rob too much voltage on long runs. I was going to rewire the panel so I could have 8 gauge all the way, but found out the panel manufacturers void warranties if the MC4 is removed. So I installed MC4's on my 8 gauge cables by using a short piece of 10 gauge going into the plug body. I then attached a release tool to the end of my extension cable with a short leash for handy access. You also can release the MC4 with your fingers in a pinch (pun intended) if you have no access to a tool. The kits that provide a panel mounted controllers probably omit the MC4, but that may vary by manufacturer. You could use the MC4 at the trailer end, but the 10 gauge limit may not be good unless your controller was trailer mounted.
Russ
ruscal 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

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:07 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.