theboondork's RV blog

I've made a decision, a small one, but a decision nonetheless

6/19/2022

Of all the things I do at rest, clicking pics I do the best.

Sunset Rose.

Another day in the 90s, but it looks like tomorrow it will cool off a little bit for the rest of the week. It sure seems like it's been hot lately, way earlier than normal, and I've got so many things to do that it doesn't look like there's a chance for me to get into the high country to escape the heat anytime soon.

I've decided I'm going to leave the one solar panel and solar controller on the bronco. The solar controller on the bronco is only a 20 amp controller, and since I'm hoping I can get more solar panels than that on the roof of the Lance, I need a bigger controller. I've always heard that a solar controller will last longer if it's not running at its limit all the time, so I think I need to get up on the roof of the Lance and get a rough idea about how many panels I can put up there. Then I'll have a better idea about what size solar controller I need.

I finished up all the plumbing work I needed to do on the bronco yesterday, but I haven't turned on the pump and tested the system for leaks yet. The requisite leak test after any plumbing work has always been a problem for me. Usually, it turns out that what I assume to be a completed job turns into a plumbing nightmare of re-repairs, often taking far longer than the original job. But who knows, maybe I'll get lucky, and every fitting will be watertight and leak-free... That's never happened before, but it's always been a dream of mine.

Theboondork

Denver sunset in the neighborhood

The sun setting on a small, but apparently growing, herd of RVs.

8 Comments

OFM

6/20/2022 07:32:56 pm

My experience with industrial 12 volt control systems tells me that the wire size for the panels to the controller and then the battery should be sized to get the full voltage to the controller and then verified that it is big enough for the ampacity needed to the batteries. In my AF case it was 10 gage all the way.

Tom

6/20/2022 08:15:48 pm

Depending on the length of run I had. I used number 10 wire from the seven panels to a junction box on the roof, a number 4 wire from the junction box to the solar controller, and then a real big wire from the solar controller, to the inverter, and on to the battery bank. I can't remember the size of that wire but it may have been in or near the 0 category. I'm a believer in big wires. I don't believe there's a downside to bigger is better when it comes to wires... Except the cost of course.

I don't think the Lance will require anything like that, since everything is going to be real close together. I climbed up on the roof of the Lance today, and without measuring anything it looks like there's room for at least six 100 watt panels. I could probably squeeze in another panel or two, but keeping the weight of the Lance as low as possible could be more important than having more panels.

Glad you found a place to stay in Grandkid land, I know that must be of utmost importance about now.

Tom

Judith

6/20/2022 08:06:39 pm

So you're still working hard and posting fine photos in spite of that. Seems to me you made the right choice in leaving the solara stuff on the bronco, but this is of course an area where I don't know zilch. Onward and upward.

6/20/2022 08:25:36 pm

Well thank you Judith. I'm very fortunate that my daughter has some flower gardens in the yard, all I have to do is point my camera at something 10 feet away from the Arctic Fox snap a picture...And get back to work.

What I'm missing is running around to different places and taking pictures of something besides flowers. That will happen, I'm just not sure when.

It looks like it's going to be a while before I can go "onward" but it sure would be nice right now with all this heat to be going "upward" into the high country.

Tom

Larry Worsham

6/21/2022 09:51:29 am

Have you looked at Renogy for solar stuff. I shop them occasionally and the seem to have quality stuff.

https://www.renogy.com/renogy-day-2022/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2MWVBhCQARIsAIjbwoOeKtKODFiT53bARc3BcC3TzX6Pn5X3QzfE4ZDek-EQ3WdZ0cEUGKsaAtZOEALw_wcB

6/21/2022 11:17:54 am

As a matter of fact Larry I have looked at Renogy. The solar system I put in the bronco were Renogy panels, and a Renogy solar controller. And the new larger solar controller I will be ordering for the Lance will also be Renogy.

I've had good luck with their equipment in the bronco, and Renogy equipment is a lot cheaper than the Kyocera panels and MorningStar solar controller that I have in the Arctic Fox. I know Kyocera, and MorningStar build high-quality equipment but my meager bank account can't afford fancy French champagne like that anymore, I'm pretty much relegated to drinking muddy water out of the creek.

Tom

Linda Sand

6/21/2022 02:59:41 pm

Renogy has an excellent reputation. I would not hesitate to use their system. And I agree with leaving the smaller controller in the Bronco. Not that you care if I agree or not. :)

6/21/2022 07:31:19 pm

I definitely care; your a real boondocker, and your knowledge and experience on the subject is an asset to others. The equipment changes, and hopefully gets better, but the skills a boondocker needs stays the same. Having an enjoyable, and comfortable experience while boondocking requires a certain mindset, wisdom, and lot of self-confidence. You've lived the boondocking life, and there's no better background than that.

Tom

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I've made a decision, a small one, but a decision nonetheless

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