Boone

[Patandlinda]

I was going to explore that, but then the power would have to go from the panel, to the plug at the front of the trailer and all the way to the back bumper, where the battery is. My understanding is I would lose juice along the way.

Hi Glenn not the best with electrical . Our batteries are in front in box .I have spoken to GoPower which is Carmanah and they are pretty good answering my questions with solar . Before I got the plug I was just hooking directly to my battery . Being your situation is different I would check with them . On the potable panel it comes with 15 ft cable and they sell addional cable to add if needed. So maybe you might be ok . Pat

 

[gbaglo]

I'm happy clamping on to terminals.

 

[Patandlinda]

I'm happy clamping on to terminals.

I know Glenn but in our case being batteries in front box this is easier for us plus I couldn't close box on my cable maybe damaging it . Glad your buddy is ok . Pat

 

[J Mac]

When using the pig tail at the front of the trailer for hooking up a portable solar panel, shouldn't you bypass the portable panels controller so the solar doesn't also use the onboard controller as well?
By hooking, or clamping, to the battery only the portable panels controller is at work.

 

[Patandlinda]

When using the pig tail at the front of the trailer for hooking up a portable solar panel, shouldn't you bypass the portable panels controller so the solar doesn't also use the onboard controller as well?
By hooking, or clamping, to the battery only the portable panels controller is at work.

JMac not there yet . When I decide to finally commit with a roof panel also or another portable I will cross that bridge then . The only controller I have is what is on the panel Pat

 

[alanmalk]

...

We will have to try using the Maxi-fan overnight and see how much it drains our battery vs the furnace.

Bob K

I measured our Maxx-Fan at 0.33 amps on the lowest speed and 3.75 amps on the highest speed. For comparison, the heater fan took 2.68 amps. Or to put it another way, one hour of heater fan uses the same power as 8.12 hours of Maxx-Fan (2.68/.33).

Keep warm!
--
Alan

 

[Brian B-P]

When using the pig tail at the front of the trailer for hooking up a portable solar panel, shouldn't you bypass the portable panels controller so the solar doesn't also use the onboard controller as well?

If by "pig tail at the front of the trailer" you mean the cable which gets plugged into the tug for towing... no, the charge circuit in that cable does not go through the solar controller - the onboard solar controller (if any) won't be involved. Even the stock converter won't matter. The charge line from the tug should go to the trailer's battery with nothing but wire and fuses in the way.

 

[J Mac]

If by "pig tail at the front of the trailer" you mean the cable which gets plugged into the tug for towing... no, the charge circuit in that cable does not go through the solar controller - the onboard solar controller (if any) won't be involved. Even the stock converter won't matter. The charge line from the tug should go to the trailer's battery with nothing but wire and fuses in the way.

That's good news. I thought I read differently on this forum.

 

[J Mac]

Brian B-P
This is where I got confused
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9/combining-new-160w-solar-with-old-95w-4208-2.html

 

[Brian B-P]

This is where I got confused
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9/combining-new-160w-solar-with-old-95w-4208-2.html

In that discussion, Jon had issues because he wasn't connecting the portable panel through the controller for the fixed panels:

The choice of connectors is still out, but it won't be the 7 pin since I'll want to feed the input of the controller.

In other words, feeding the power into the trailer through the towing cable bypasses the trailer's solar controller: it sends power direct to the battery, joining the output (rather than input) of that controller... which causes the some confusion for the controller.

 

[P&L]

When we were coming home with new trailer found the same problem with condensation . Discovered to have Max fan running on low and opening kitchen window did the trick . Solved the condensation problem . Weather was cold and rain all the way home in Nov . We have foam and extra insulation , dual pane windows . We camp this way now all the time and never a problem . Running the max fan I think is very important . Pat

We have traveled in our trailer for a week now and last night we had some condensation around the mattress. In cooler weather, we had the fan running, the kitchen window open. We have extra insulation plus foam underneath. I would like to run the heater...hubby not so much.

How do forum members effectively combat condensation?

 

[Patandlinda]

We have traveled in our trailer for a week now and last night we had some condensation around the mattress. In cooler weather, we had the fan running, the kitchen window open. We have extra insulation plus foam underneath. I would like to run the heater...hubby not so much.

How do forum members effectively combat condensation?

Hi . If it is cold we definitely run our heater too . Pat

 

[Fox hunt]

I run a small dehumidifier works great

 

[cpaharley2008]

You need air to circulate around the bed. I had my mattress cut 2" smaller all around to allow air and installed marine bedding around sides and bottom. Have not had any issues. Also allow air to hit the window frames by keeping your blinds up some, eliminates the dripping, keep your fan on and window cracked.

 

[kvermeulen]

Keep furnace on at a lower temp and open the max fan vent a little.

ken

 

[P&L]

Thank you all! what a wonderful resource you are! Last night we rant the max fan some and had the kitchen window ajar. All went well! I'm going to look into the marine bedding, pulling up the blinds some, and if needed we'll get a dehumidifier...Glad to hear you run your heaters!

Lorna

 

[Patandlinda]

Thank you all! what a wonderful resource you are! Last night we rant the max fan some and had the kitchen window ajar. All went well! I'm going to look into the marine bedding, pulling up the blinds some, and if needed we'll get a dehumidifier...Glad to hear you run your heaters!

Lorna

Glad it is working for you now . We know how you felt after Our first night What no one told us did we make a big mistake . Anyhow forgot to tell you about Eva-Dry . We have 2 , one at bed area ,and one at dinette . No mess or electricity . They last 10 years , you recharge them when the color tells you time to recharge . Gun safe owners etc. use them . We still haven't gotten the marine dry mesh and we have been fine . See you live in California like us doing all these other things you may be fine . Just got back from colder , and rain in Washington and we were ok . Temps at night dropped to 30-40 's .anyway you recharge by plugging in outlet . Very easy . Pat

 

[kands]

Thanks Pat! I've been camping here in the PNW the last couple of weeks with the lows around 35. The condensation in my 21's bed area has started to be a concern. I leave the MaxFan vent open but because of battery concerns (cloud cover all day on the solar and running the heater) have been reluctant to run the MaxFan fan. I've now ordered the dehumidifiers. I'll test them out on the my trip starting next week. Thanks again!

 

[Donna D.]

Shoulder season camping in the Pacific NorthWET can be problematic because these trailers are so tight. Ya can't quit breathing so you have to keep air moving. I am thrilled with the dual-pane windows in Ten Forward.... compared to those blasted single panes in the Scamp.

 

[Bobbito]

Not only do the dual paned windows keep the trailer warmer, but they make such a difference in shutting out noise from traffic and generators! We tip our dinette cushions away from the wall overnight when we are sealed up tight in the cold and wet, despite running the furnace on low. We may have to try some of the suggested solutions for around the 21's mattress. We had similar condensation issues in our stick trailer.

Bob K