This topic contains 4 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by 
Eddie & Aileen 1 month, 1 week ago.
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Howdy Campers, Just finished up installing our secondary battery bank in our 5er and I got out the “Big” shoe horn to get it done. We had a space issue because of the slide out hydro pump was dead smack in the way. So I made a extra battery box for (2)-group #31 12 volts and stored the third one in the #1-battery bank box. I made the box out of a damaged polypropylene water tank. We cut out the shape form, heated edges to bend bottom, and used aluminium angle and pop rivets for the corners. Installed the box,wired the bank in, and installed the battery switch to select bank #1 or #2 to the loads. This will give us a ton of “Boondocking Power” with (4)-T-105 RE 6 volt’s at 450 AH, and now (3)-Group#31 12 volt deep cycle’s at 315 AH. With the 720 watts up on the roof we can stay out there for a good wile!!
Soon we will be adding a 1500 watt inverter to power the microwave and when the sun is shining good the fridge heating element to cut down on the propane usage for long stays way out there.
Happy Trails as you soak up the SUN’s rays!!!
P.S.-pictures of install are in original “Installing a second 315 AH battery bank!” under the forums “Mods and Upgrades”.
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You’re a pop riveting maniac.
Good job buddy!
RVHH Chief Cook and Bottle Washer - LoveYourRV.comYou bet I am Ray! Ha!! Ha!!
That plastic is hard to weld!-????-!?
Happy Trails Pal!!!
Eddie, I’m very impressed by your RV mods. So much so I’m adding 4 140W panels to my RV and adding 4 more 6 volt GC2 golf cart batteries as additional storage for a total of approx 1200 amp hours of storage. My configuration is a bit simpler than yours but I’m using many of the same components your did.
I do have a couple of questions concerning the mounting of your solar panels. What size screws did you use to mount them to the roof? What size screws did you use to mount the aluminum angle iron to the solar panels and what size is your angle iron? The biggest aluminum angle iron I’ve found locally is 1 inch which seems a bit small. My primary concern is making sure the panels are secure on the roof while driving.
Thanks,
Michael
Hi Michael, 1200 AH’s of storage and 560 watts of solar-sounds like you are a serous “Boondocker”/drycamper. Hope we can meet up someday, love to see your set-up. ( Pictures? )
We used 1-1/2″ x 1/8″ aluminum angle for both the foot and the frame on the panel. I used 1″ x 1/4″ bar aluminum for the prop rods. The screws I used to connect the angle to the panels was #12 x 3/4″ pan Philips head SS, and #12 x 1-1/4” pan Philips head SS to hold the foot to the roof. I found the aluminum angle and bar at Ace Hardware in N.C. but I have seen it at Home Depot. Around here you can find it at our local steel and recycling co.
Yep, I’m with you on wanting to tie them down good. No one wants to make a PV panel “KITE” flying past you down the road! Hope I could help, and if you have any ideas please share. I’ve begged, borrowed, and stole most ideas on solar stuff and love any input. Shearing “Mods” ideas is what helps all of us out in our RV community get better at living the way we do. Thanks for your post.
Happy Trails!!!
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