Below is my battery box upgrade project I've been workinng on since Thanksgiving. I wanted to add some capability to my trailer to handle more dry camping including use of a solar panel, 2nd battery, and charging capabilities.
It took a while to find a box that would fit on my hitch, open easily, and leave room for the propane tank. I finally found this 12"x24" box on amazon. I developed a mounting system with "S"track I will show once I un-winterize my trailer. I had to move the propane tank about 3 inches forward.
Inisde are 2 series 24 batteries in parallel, Battery tender brand charger/maintainer, 30 amp renogy solar panel charge controller, Cobra 400 watt inverter. On the passenger side of the box I have 120V AC in, on/off switch for 12v to trailer, volt meter, 12v cigarette socket, beer bottle opener :). Coming out the back I have connections for the solar panel and a connection for accessories such as LED or floodlights, 3 2in vents, and of course Pos and Neg back to the trailer. ALthough not clearly evident in the pictures verything inside is bracketed in place so it cannot move in transit. Yes I realize my wiring is a bit long on most runs, but I wanted some flexibility to re-arrange things. I made sure there is absolutely no chance of anything shorting out.
Also shown is my 30 watt renogy solar panel attached to the stand I built. I can adjust the angle of the panel as needed to collect maximum light and it folds up for storage.
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(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y483/TLBones/IMG_0263_zpsacb56e8d.jpg?t=1419721012)
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y483/TLBones/IMG_0262_zps0f975a54.jpg?t=1419721015)
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y483/TLBones/IMG_0267_zpsef0223b5.jpg?t=1419721015)
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y483/TLBones/IMG_0264_zpsde977c81.jpg?t=1419721015)
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[p]That is an awesome setup, it makes me want to go out to the barn and build something. Have you considered or installed a muffin fan to push hot air out of the box?? [/p][p]
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Looks good. I like the self-contained design, the exterior facing voltage meter, and especially the handy bottle opener.
Quote from: @james" timestamp="1419810998" source="/post/5686/thread[p]That is an awesome setup, it makes me want to go out to the barn and build something. Have you considered or installed a muffin fan to push hot air out of the box?? [/p][p]
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A cooling fan is probably a good idea. I have one I stripped out of an old desktop computer I could put in.
Interesting set up. I'd like to do something along these lines this spring, so I have a few questions that will help me as I plan a system.
Does the inverter supply AC power to the camper? With that inverter, how is the ground/neutral handled? I'm a huge fan of the AC safety info at www.noshockzone.org. These links were posted by Charlie.
www.noshockzone.org/rv-electrical-safety-part-iv-%E2%80%93-hot-skin/
www.noshockzone.org/are-little-shocks-ok/
www.noshockzone.org/category/rv-safety/
Why a 30 amp charge controller for a 2 amp solar panel? More panels planned?
Why have an off switch for 12VDC to the camper?
Is that an ammeter or voltmeter on your box? If an ammeter, why did you choose that over a voltmeter?
Are three 2 inch vent enough for a hot day in the sun for cooling?
Are those vented batteries and will the hydrogen discharged be safe with the other electronics and potential spark sources?
The 2 batteries look different. Are they the same specs and type?
The remote solar panel is a great idea, but keep those wires as short as possible. 12VDC has significant losses in long, small wires and you'll need every watt you can get!
Then, lastly, an observation. I don't see enough (any?) fuses. You've got enough wiring and battery power there to cause some damage if you have an electronics failure, rodent damage to wiring, or a fastener works loose, etc.
[quote timestamp="1419812886" source="/post/5690/thread" author="@sandroad"]Interesting set up. I'd like to do something along these lines this spring, so I have a few questions that will help me as I plan a system.
Does the inverter supply AC power to the camper? With that inverter, how is the ground/neutral handled? I'm a huge fan of the AC safety info at www.noshockzone.org. These links were posted by Charlie.
It is not connected to the trailer wiring in any way. It is only for separate outside needs. It is not grounded separately other than contact with the box. I will ground the box upon mounting it. It is not wired inline. I did not mean to imply that. It just slides into place inside the box and can be removed and used elsewhere If I need. I would connect it with alligator clips when needed.
www.noshockzone.org/rv-electrical-safety-part-iv-%E2%80%93-hot-skin/
www.noshockzone.org/are-little-shocks-ok/
www.noshockzone.org/category/rv-safety/
Why a 30 amp charge controller for a 2 amp solar panel? More panels planned?
the 30 amp charge controller was a christmas gift. From my understanding a larger controller is not a negative and allows for expansion. It was only a few dollars more than the 10 amp renogy and adds an on/off switch and timer. I may pick up another panel, but nothing drastic.
Why have an off switch for 12VDC to the camper?
Without an off switch after a week plus of being unplugged from AC your camper battery will likely be dead from drain from the CO detector and radio. If you leave a light or fan on accidentally it won't even last that long. This is hard on your battery. From what I've read/heard it's highly recommended to add a battery disconnect switch. Some RV makers include this from what I understand. I wish livin-lite did.
Is that an ammeter or voltmeter on your box? If an ammeter, why did you choose that over a voltmeter?
That was a brain lapse. I meant to say voltmeter.
Are three 2 inch vent enough for a hot day in the sun for cooling?
Here in the Northeast it is likely enough, but I can intall a fan if needed. I still have 3 left over from the 6 pack I ordered off amazon. I may see if I can add them to the bottom of the box for additional venting. It can't be much hotter than the black plastic battery box the camper came with.
Are those vented batteries and will the hydrogen discharged be safe with the other electronics and potential spark sources?
I was mildy concerned about this, but I think my 3 vents are more than sufficient to dissipate any gas buildup. I would not connect the inverter without the lid open. I would have to connect the aligator clips anyway. I have a prop-rod (the white stick in the one picture) to hold the lid open when in use. They are typical lead-acid deep cycles nothing special.
The 2 batteries look different. Are they the same specs and type?
They are both 24 series deep cycle of same specs. One was new OE from the dealer when we bought the trailer in August, the second is walmart purchased in November. As I recall June and August of this year are marked on the batteries.
The remote solar panel is a great idea, but keep those wires as short as possible. 12VDC has significant losses in long, small wires and you'll need every watt you can get!
I did not exend or modify the wire in any way beyond what was provided by Renogy and I don't plan to. I have about 7-8 feet of slack to find the sun for placement. That should give me close to 360 degrees in possibilities
Then, lastly, an observation. I don't see enough (any?) fuses. You've got enough wiring and battery power there to cause some damage if you have an electronics failure, rodent damage to wiring, or a fastener works loose, etc.
The accessory connections and battery charger maintainer are fuse protected. You are very correct though I should add a main fuse. Any recommendations?
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[quote source="/post/5683/thread" timestamp="1419808124" author="@tlbones"]Below is my battery box upgrade project I've been workinng on since Thanksgiving. I wanted to add some capability to my trailer to handle more dry camping including use of a solar panel, 2nd battery, and charging capabilities.
Inside are 2 series 24 batteries in parallel,
[/quote][font size="3"]Looks good, but consider replacing the two 24s with two 6 volt GC2s. Forty per cent more capacity in the same space. Easy upgrade.
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[quote source="/post/5702/thread" timestamp="1419822269" author="@charliem"][quote timestamp="1419808124" author="@tlbones" source="/post/5683/thread"]Below is my battery box upgrade project I've been workinng on since Thanksgiving. I wanted to add some capability to my trailer to handle more dry camping including use of a solar panel, 2nd battery, and charging capabilities.
Inside are 2 series 24 batteries in parallel,
[/quote][font size="3"]Looks good, but consider replacing the two 24s with two 6 volt GC2s. Forty per cent more capacity in the same space. Easy upgrade.
[/font][/quote]I thought about that route, but I already had the one battery, so cost wise it made sense to just add another 12v. If/when I kill these 2 I may consider GC2s at that time...if they would fit!
PS: what are the dimensions of your GC2s?
Quote from: @tlbones" timestamp="1419824100" source="/post/5703/thread
PS: what are the dimensions of your GC2s?
[font size="3"]10.25L x 7.125W x 11.25H. Height may be a problem in your box. [/font]
Like the battery box, solar panel set up, and bottle opener 8-)!
[quote source="/post/5704/thread" timestamp="1419825129" author="@charliem"][quote source="/post/5703/thread" timestamp="1419824100" author="@tlbones"] PS: what are the dimensions of your GC2s?[/quote][font size="3"]10.25L x 7.125W x 11.25H. Height may be a problem in your box. [/font]
[/quote]Yup..too tall. I have a bracket system on a sheet of plywood in the bottom of the box to secure everything and I also need room for the bolts to secure the box to the trailer. Thanks for confirming the dimensions!
[quote source="/post/5705/thread" timestamp="1419858332" author="@exploringcarolina"]Like the battery box, solar panel set up, and bottle opener 8-)![/quote]Thanks! The bottle opener is my proudest acheivement. ;)
Now I want a bottle opener on my battery box, too! I also like the voltmeter on there. I wonder what else could be added to a battery box...
Because of the power available in a battery, I use an appropriate sized circuit breaker for every one. Here is one that comes in specs from 40 to 150 amps, depending on need. It's marine grade, waterproof , safe for potentially explosive locations, and has an on-off switch. Properly "fusing" batteries saved a tool shed at my cabin a year ago when a lightning strike shorted out an inverter and connected the positive and negative poles on 4 big deep cycle batteries wired in series. Big noise when it happened, but the breakers tripped and kept things from catching on fire from what would have been red hot 00 gauge Cu wires.
My motto: "Fuse it or lose it".
http://www.solar-electric.com/mrcb-100-amp-dc-circuit-breaker.html
Another option to consider is a box from Torklift PowerArmor:
http://www.torklift.com/index.php/products/security/powerarmor
[quote source="/post/5708/thread" timestamp="1419860532" author="@tlbones"]
Quote from: @exploringcarolina" source="/post/5705/thread" timestamp="1419858332Like the battery box, solar panel set up, and bottle opener 8-)!
Thanks! The bottle opener is my proudest acheivement. ;)
tlbones, where did you get the beer bottle opener? I have 2 friends looking for a bottle opener to bolt to the outside of my battery box. No luck so far. I must have one on my battery box! You do not know my history with bottle openers![/quote]
[quote source="/post/6028/thread" timestamp="1421375446" author="@leslie"][quote timestamp="1419860532" author="@tlbones" source="/post/5708/thread"]Thanks! The bottle opener is my proudest acheivement. ;)
tlbones, where did you get the beer bottle opener? I have 2 friends looking for a bottle opener to bolt to the outside of my battery box. No luck so far. I must have one on my battery box! You do not know my history with bottle openers![/quote][/quote]LOL. I may have started a trend? It was an impulse buy at target over the holidays.. It was one of those Christmas holiday items they had at the time. If you go on amazon and search for "wall mount bottle opener" you will find dozens and dozens with various slogans. If I had known they had so many I might have picked a funny one for my box instead. Post a picture of your bottle opener on your battery box! :)