xcarguy Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Considering solar panels. Anyone installed/have solar panels on there trailer? Recommendations? Options? Manufacturers? Etcetera,etcetera, etcetera . . . . :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboeric Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Considering solar panels. Anyone installed/have solar panels on there trailer? Recommendations? Options? Manufacturers? Etcetera,etcetera, etcetera . . . . :rofl: Don't call my brother in law - he wanted some for his trailer so he could recharge his batteries over night... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I have a small panel mounted that charges my battery for the winch. Been over 13 years now and still using the same battery. :cooldude: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 Don't call my brother in law - he wanted some for his trailer so he could recharge his batteries over night... . . . . . . :banghead: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 I have a small panel mounted that charges my battery for the winch. Been over 13 years now and still using the same battery. :cooldude: Tom, I'd like a closer look in July if you don't mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Nothing fancy about it. It's a small panel, that I mounted on the front of the frame on the trailer behind the crank that raises the trailer. Two wires to some little dohicky that prevents overcharging and then to the battery. I don't know nuhthing about electrickery, except that you don't want to let the smoke out of the wires or you are sure to have trouble. :flag: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super7guy Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I have been using a 1.5 watt SP to keep the winch battery charged while stored. Doesn't hurt to have a charge line from the tow vehicle to add more "juice" when and if needed. For the motorhome, have 5 watt SP and they required a charge controller so as to not overcharge the battery. The charge controller cuts out at 13.7 volts. Many of our newer "electronics on wheels" need SP to keep up with the battery drain if left sitting for too long. Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 I have been using a 1.5 watt SP to keep the winch battery charged while stored. Doesn't hurt to have a charge line from the tow vehicle to add more "juice" when and if needed. For the motorhome, have 5 watt SP and they required a charge controller so as to not overcharge the battery. The charge controller cuts out at 13.7 volts. Many of our newer "electronics on wheels" need SP to keep up with the battery drain if left sitting for too long. Wayne Wayne, Thanks for chiming in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 I don't know nuhthing about electrickery, except that you don't want to let the smoke out of the wires or you are sure to have trouble. :flag: I've let the smoke out'a wires a time or few. Filled the garage full o' smoke on one occasion . . . . plumb ugly. :banghead: . . . . :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Be sure to use a charge controller even with small panels. I had one that ruined a battery. Upon inspection the sp was putting out 18v. You can get a charge controller for low wattage for 20.00. It charges a constant voltage. Cheap insurance for expensive battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 Thanks, Loren. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) Arizona Wind & Sun sells this line of stuff and their web sites have lots of technical info and advice. I've installed 2 systems of about 100 W each, and looked in great detail about a 3 KW roof system. The good charge controllers (like Morningstar e.g.) need to be set for flooded or immobilized electrolyte (AGM, absorbed glass mat) as the float charge is a slightly different voltage. http://www.solar-electric.com/ Edited May 14, 2014 by NVP66S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 Dan, Thanks for the info. Any experience with flexible SP's for roof mount? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 My personal experience is with rigid panels. Flex panels are certainly lightweight, but you need to stick them to a relatively stiffer substrate. I know metal building roofs work and they oilcan a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Please forgive me, I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but having a battery in the trailer is just another headache as to cost, maintenance, charging, etc. With that in mind, I ran a welding cable to the back of my truck from the truck's battery and used a quick connect connector to hook up to the trailer(s). My big enclosed trailer has a 5000 lb built in winch and the tongue is equipped with a power lift jack. The Jack uses a separate winch type two wire connector which I have the truck also wired in. So nobody can easily steal the trailer since they can operate the electric tongue jack. My open car trailer has a 3750 lb Warn winch which also uses the same connector on a welding cable. And since I have a lot of current power at the back of my truck with the welding cable, I installed a 2000 Watt power inverter in the back so I can run a/c tools like drills, impacts, etc. For a compressor, I have a commercial duty high volume 12 VDC compressor back there as well to air up whatever I need, including truck tires. No solar panel, no extra battery, no worry about maintaining, charging or cleaning the battery, and built-in security that once the tongue of the big trailer is up, nobody can easily lower it onto their hitch. The open car trailer has a manual tongue jack so I have to use a case hardened hitch lock but I will eventually put an electric tongue jack there as well. If your truck runs, so does your battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 Please forgive me, I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but having a battery in the trailer is just another headache as to cost, maintenance, charging, etc . . . . My big enclosed trailer has a 5000 lb built in winch and the tongue is equipped with a power lift jack. Dang it, Michael! Just when I thought I had this all figured out, you have to go and throw sensible logic on table. Now I have to cancel the order on my hand-crank-and-battery-equipped trailer, eat the huge deposit and start over again with another manufacturer that's more than willing to rob me blind. :banghead: You could have waited till July to bust my bubble. :willy_nilly: . . . . . . :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Dang it, Michael! Just when I thought I had this all figured out, you have to go and throw sensible logic on table. Now I have to cancel the order on my hand-crank-and-battery-equipped trailer, eat the huge deposit and start over again with another manufacturer that's more than willing to rob me blind. :banghead: You could have waited till July to bust my bubble. :willy_nilly: . . . . . . :cheers: No, why have to change. Delete the battery, add cable, deal is done. I use the Tweco connectors on the cable, work great and since my truck is running while I'm doing this, I don't have to worry about the battery running out of juice before the job is finished. The 12 VDC tongue jacks or so cheap that it really isn't worth doing the hand crank unless you need additional excercise. As to July, you will get your revenge with that overpowered storker once on the track to humiliate me into a fit of tears. Don't you hate to see a grown man cry ?:willy_nilly: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Looking forward to seeing all these trick trailer set-ups. The track day is just a bonus:). BTW: my solution is even simpler than yours K69. I just get a few "volunteers" and they push my occasionally dead car back onto the trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastg Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 At one time VW used to out a solar panel in all the cars they shipped to the USA to keep the batteries topped up, it was cheaper then the warranty work to replace dead batteries after the cars had been stored for a while. There are literally 1000's of these available. I have one stuck to the window of my workshop, and battery I want to keep changed I just hook it up. I friend has one on the roof of his trailer. http://tinyurl.com/qgscbdo Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted May 22, 2014 Author Share Posted May 22, 2014 Looking forward to seeing all these trick trailer set-ups. The track day is just a bonus:). BTW: my solution is even simpler than yours K69. I just get a few "volunteers" and they push my occasionally dead car back onto the trailer. More simplicity . . . . you're killing me. :svengo: Is absolutely going to be a fun event. Looking forward to all the fun and excitement in July. :flag: . . . . . :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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