It's finally time to start the intimidating solar install on out small Momentum 21G. All pieces have arrived, plans have been drawn, all that's left is to put it all together.
By posting here I am obligated to finish. I'll try to detail as much as I can (good and bad) and hope it is helpful to somebody.
This will be installed in multiple stages over about 2 months. I'll try to chronical the thought behind decisions, what worked, what didn't work and what I would change if I did it again.
Some of this project has already been completed. Much more is yet to be completed. I'll start from the beginning. This will be a long read.
Stage 1: Determine what I wanted from a solar system-or why I wanted a solar system on the trailer (maybe I don't even need one). After the great blackout of February 2021 in Texas, I knew I wanted something I could use if/when the "system broke". I didn't want to invest $60K + on a home system without understanding what I actually needed. I knew I didn't want to rely on a generator (needs fuel), so the idea was to build a good solar system on the trailer as "practice" and as a learning activity. This told me a large system was what I wanted.
Stage 2: Energy audit. At this point I needed to know how much energy we consumed each day to determine the size of the battery bank, which will determine the size of the solar array. After calculating daily average usage, I came up with about 3000WH per day. That's about (3) 100AH lithium 12V batteries. But, you should have enough energy for 2 or 3 days in case the skies are overcast or you are under a tree. I decided on 3 days or 9000WH of storage. This came out to about (8) 100AH lithium 12V batteries (assuming 12.8V each battery). This also told me I could use about 1500W solar array. With this size system, many recommendations suggested a 24V system will save money.
It was decided, a 10KWH battery bank, 1600W solar array and 24V system.
Stage 3: Design system. Original plan was to have 1600W solar array consisting of (8) 200W panels. They will fit on the 21G roof, however it leaves no space for anything else. Listening to my wife's "recommendation", I scaled down the system to 960W with 6 smaller panels and added a secondary solar charge controller for up to 400W of additional suitcase panels if needed. We will try this out for a year. If it is not sufficient, I will switch out panels and increase to 1200W on roof with the additional 400W suitcase panels.
Because I had already bought the 24V multiplus, I decided to stay with the 24V system. Overall I saved money going with the 24V system over a 12V system. Savings came from wiring and batteries. Still undecided if this was a good decision or if I should have gone to a 12V system.
Stage 4: Make money and purchase equipment. Because we are a one income family and have 7 kids, this isn't as easy as I would have liked. In the end it took a little over a year to save up the money and purchase the equipment needed. Wife isn't overjoyed with the cost - ouch. This better impress her somehow.
Stage 5: Build Batteries. Originally planned to purchase SOK batteries. Then I learned about Big Batteries and liked them...but they were never on stock. Watching Will Prowse one day and he reviewed some batteries from Signature Solar. 755 of the cost of both SOK and Big Battery. Sold. Well, every time I went to buy one of the 24V 200AH batteries, they were out of stock. It was frustrating. One day I checked thier site and noticed they started selling 8 cell 100AH 24V packs (no BMS, no case...just the cells strapped together with terminals welded to plates). They were on stock and so were the Overkill BMS's. I bought 4 of the packs and 4 BMS's from Overkill Solar. the way I had imagined the build, I really didn't need a case around the batteries, so this worked. Overall I saved almost $500 over purchasing (2) of the $1500 EG4 batteries and got a superior BMS ( in my opinion). Total cost of 10.2KWH of batteries was about $2800. If I would have gone with Battle Born, it would have been around $5800. SOK would have been about $4300 and Big Battery would have been about $4300 had they been in stock. One win for me.
Stage 6: Rebuild the exterior storage/master closet area. This is my current stage and it is the most intimidating for me. I want it to look nice and be structurally sound to support the 300#-400# of equipment that will be installed. I have some preliminary designs drawn up that I think will work...I hope will work.
Stage 7: Wiring. This is the second most intimidating stage for me. Mostly because I have a few challenges to address.
Challenge 1: How to run wiring from the rear of the trailer (where solar array penetrate roof) to the front of the trailer (where solar charge controller will be)? Currently there is a 10awg wire from the rear of the trailer to the front area. I need at least 8awg and am thinking about 6awg for future considerations. 2 options: keep 10awg in place, use for panels at rear. Add another box for panels in center and front. OR: try to run another wire through entire attic area to front. I plant to drop the ceiling in the master bed anyway to help with other wiring so TBD.
Challenge 2: How to run wiring from front storage area to control center in center of trailer. I think dropping the master ceiling will help a lot to accomplish this.
Challenge 3: Where to place GX Touch screen. Master bedroom or control center? Any suggestions are appreciated here.
Challenge 4: I am replacing the main panel with a 30/50 Amp split phase panel (without converter/charger). This gives me more DC circuits, and sets my up for phase 2 (If I ever get there) of converting to a split phase 50 amp trailer with additional 30 amp output for another trailer to connect).
Stage 8: installing equipment. Tedious, careful work. Don't' want to blow up anything...already over budget as is. One challenge is heat dissipation for the equipment. I bought a bunch of 12V DC fans and some temp control boxes to automatically turn on/off the fans at preset temperatures. I do need to decide where the fans will be placed and do I need more vent holes on the out side of the trailer??
Stage 9: setup. This is slightly intimidating as I am going with All Victron components. Proper setup seems to be a little complicated and involved. Need to take my time here. Again any suggestions are welcome.
Stage 10: Enjoy. IT will be nice when it is complete
By posting here I am obligated to finish. I'll try to detail as much as I can (good and bad) and hope it is helpful to somebody.
This will be installed in multiple stages over about 2 months. I'll try to chronical the thought behind decisions, what worked, what didn't work and what I would change if I did it again.
Some of this project has already been completed. Much more is yet to be completed. I'll start from the beginning. This will be a long read.
Stage 1: Determine what I wanted from a solar system-or why I wanted a solar system on the trailer (maybe I don't even need one). After the great blackout of February 2021 in Texas, I knew I wanted something I could use if/when the "system broke". I didn't want to invest $60K + on a home system without understanding what I actually needed. I knew I didn't want to rely on a generator (needs fuel), so the idea was to build a good solar system on the trailer as "practice" and as a learning activity. This told me a large system was what I wanted.
Stage 2: Energy audit. At this point I needed to know how much energy we consumed each day to determine the size of the battery bank, which will determine the size of the solar array. After calculating daily average usage, I came up with about 3000WH per day. That's about (3) 100AH lithium 12V batteries. But, you should have enough energy for 2 or 3 days in case the skies are overcast or you are under a tree. I decided on 3 days or 9000WH of storage. This came out to about (8) 100AH lithium 12V batteries (assuming 12.8V each battery). This also told me I could use about 1500W solar array. With this size system, many recommendations suggested a 24V system will save money.
It was decided, a 10KWH battery bank, 1600W solar array and 24V system.
Stage 3: Design system. Original plan was to have 1600W solar array consisting of (8) 200W panels. They will fit on the 21G roof, however it leaves no space for anything else. Listening to my wife's "recommendation", I scaled down the system to 960W with 6 smaller panels and added a secondary solar charge controller for up to 400W of additional suitcase panels if needed. We will try this out for a year. If it is not sufficient, I will switch out panels and increase to 1200W on roof with the additional 400W suitcase panels.
Because I had already bought the 24V multiplus, I decided to stay with the 24V system. Overall I saved money going with the 24V system over a 12V system. Savings came from wiring and batteries. Still undecided if this was a good decision or if I should have gone to a 12V system.
Stage 4: Make money and purchase equipment. Because we are a one income family and have 7 kids, this isn't as easy as I would have liked. In the end it took a little over a year to save up the money and purchase the equipment needed. Wife isn't overjoyed with the cost - ouch. This better impress her somehow.
Stage 5: Build Batteries. Originally planned to purchase SOK batteries. Then I learned about Big Batteries and liked them...but they were never on stock. Watching Will Prowse one day and he reviewed some batteries from Signature Solar. 755 of the cost of both SOK and Big Battery. Sold. Well, every time I went to buy one of the 24V 200AH batteries, they were out of stock. It was frustrating. One day I checked thier site and noticed they started selling 8 cell 100AH 24V packs (no BMS, no case...just the cells strapped together with terminals welded to plates). They were on stock and so were the Overkill BMS's. I bought 4 of the packs and 4 BMS's from Overkill Solar. the way I had imagined the build, I really didn't need a case around the batteries, so this worked. Overall I saved almost $500 over purchasing (2) of the $1500 EG4 batteries and got a superior BMS ( in my opinion). Total cost of 10.2KWH of batteries was about $2800. If I would have gone with Battle Born, it would have been around $5800. SOK would have been about $4300 and Big Battery would have been about $4300 had they been in stock. One win for me.
Stage 6: Rebuild the exterior storage/master closet area. This is my current stage and it is the most intimidating for me. I want it to look nice and be structurally sound to support the 300#-400# of equipment that will be installed. I have some preliminary designs drawn up that I think will work...I hope will work.
Stage 7: Wiring. This is the second most intimidating stage for me. Mostly because I have a few challenges to address.
Challenge 1: How to run wiring from the rear of the trailer (where solar array penetrate roof) to the front of the trailer (where solar charge controller will be)? Currently there is a 10awg wire from the rear of the trailer to the front area. I need at least 8awg and am thinking about 6awg for future considerations. 2 options: keep 10awg in place, use for panels at rear. Add another box for panels in center and front. OR: try to run another wire through entire attic area to front. I plant to drop the ceiling in the master bed anyway to help with other wiring so TBD.
Challenge 2: How to run wiring from front storage area to control center in center of trailer. I think dropping the master ceiling will help a lot to accomplish this.
Challenge 3: Where to place GX Touch screen. Master bedroom or control center? Any suggestions are appreciated here.
Challenge 4: I am replacing the main panel with a 30/50 Amp split phase panel (without converter/charger). This gives me more DC circuits, and sets my up for phase 2 (If I ever get there) of converting to a split phase 50 amp trailer with additional 30 amp output for another trailer to connect).
Stage 8: installing equipment. Tedious, careful work. Don't' want to blow up anything...already over budget as is. One challenge is heat dissipation for the equipment. I bought a bunch of 12V DC fans and some temp control boxes to automatically turn on/off the fans at preset temperatures. I do need to decide where the fans will be placed and do I need more vent holes on the out side of the trailer??
Stage 9: setup. This is slightly intimidating as I am going with All Victron components. Proper setup seems to be a little complicated and involved. Need to take my time here. Again any suggestions are welcome.
Stage 10: Enjoy. IT will be nice when it is complete
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