creed Report post Posted October 20, 2016 Anyone use them to keep batteries charged up? I am thinking of buying one and have no idea what I need. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted October 20, 2016 You'll need the panel, a way to mount it on the trailer or a frame to set it next to the trailer (like a satellite dish tripod, wiring and an inline fuse. Hook directly to your battery. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Becker Report post Posted October 20, 2016 My new 5th wheel came with one mounted on roof. Batteries are 100% all the time. Pretty awesome! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
223VARMINTER Report post Posted October 20, 2016 My toy hauler came with a Zamp Solar 20 watt solar kit to maintain the batteries. The panel is mounted on top of the air conditioner on the roof and the controller is mounted inside the trailer. Two wires from solar panel to controller and two wires from controller to batteries/ground. Very simple system and works great. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnSWA Report post Posted October 20, 2016 I bought this at Northern Tool. Wait for a sale. It's about the same price of the Harbor Freight panel, but double the watts! Works great and charges my battery all day long! I bought a much better voltage controller though. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660266_200660266 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AzDiamondHeat Report post Posted October 20, 2016 I have the cheap harbor freight kit with the three panels. It works fine, but if I had to do it again I would spend a little more money and get a better quality single panel. The kit works perfectly, but is of course low quality. Have had it for 3 years and is still charging just fine. Whatever you do, get a quality controller. Do not use the cheap ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creed Report post Posted October 21, 2016 How do you tell the difference between a junk controller and one that is quality? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted October 21, 2016 How do you tell the difference between a junk controller and one that is quality? as far as I know you don't unless you buy a brand that's well known and has no bad reviews. Almost everything solar you buy has issues or bad reviews m. Doesn't mean it's bad (even if it harbor freight) it just means the solar industry I'd still working out the details of it all. Solar is frieking awesome!!!!!! When it works. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AzDiamondHeat Report post Posted October 21, 2016 How do you tell the difference between a junk controller and one that is quality? As was said above, get something with a good reputation. It doesn't have to be big and fancy, but get something that will at minimum protect from over charging. I used the harbor freight for a while and it nuked my battery. I replaced it with a small and simple pwm type and it is much better. also be sure you plan for the future and get something that can handle any expansion you might plan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Sparky Report post Posted October 21, 2016 The other thing you might want to consider is getting rid of the 12 volt batteries and run two deep cycle 6 volts in series with a solar panel. Even without a solar panel two 6 volts in series are better than 2 12 volts in parallel. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
runningbird Report post Posted October 21, 2016 RV solar electric, they are in Scottsdale, I bought my first system from them 20 years ago. I had a panel for 9 years and it went bad, they replaced it for free. They are a little more expensive but only sell quality items and tech and customer support is outstanding. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwp Report post Posted October 21, 2016 https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com Lots of RV solar info on that site. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted October 21, 2016 I have had this one for about 35 years! Time has definitely expanded the square inches exposed which means that it requires daily attention to keep it out of direct and indirect sunshine! No special controller needed usually a damp wash rag keeps it maintained! It has been known to overheat but other than that it can hold its own even with the newer models!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Whitesheep Report post Posted October 23, 2016 Hey NTS, where do you plug it in? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted October 23, 2016 Hey NTS, where do you plug it in? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
