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StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: SOC
    Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 12:07pm
Looks nice! I'm not sure though why you would want the solar to charge while you are on the road. Won't the vehicle alternator be doing that function? On mine, I disconnected the charging wire in the 7-way plug because it was not working for my LiFePO4 battery but I did run a separate charging wire through a battery isolator solenoid to run the DC to DC charger which works great. However, that should not be needed for the two 6V batteries you have. The panel will be good once you get somewhere and are off-grid camping, but I don't understand the use of it while on the road. Please enlighten me.
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 8:47am
OK, I think this will work. Now you can see why I kept the stretcher inboard. Needed to make room for my rod holder and a kayak on other side of rod holder (lightweight sch 40 Foam core PVC).

I made up a length of 10 AWG, sleeved with braided cable sleeve. Mc4 on panel end. Anderson powerpole 45 amp on other end. I use a lot of anderson powerpoles and bonded zip cord from Powerwerx. The cable snakes down the inside edge of back hatch. It's not pinched.

Haven't decided how to attach to roof rack. Could just lash it down with some paracord or u-bolt or combination. Dunno yet.
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
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Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 2:53pm
Ohhh, thanks guys! I was able to spin them off while vhb was hot and not cured. I should have known better. Was really overkill anyway. It's plenty strong without.

That's why I visit this place!
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2630 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 1:34pm
OG is right. You should not attach anything to the backs of the panels. Use the frame. Another thought I had is that you might want to use schedule 80 PVC for the frame. Walls are a bit thicker & stronger. However, if you feel it's strong enough now, there's no need to add weight.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 12:45pm
I'd recommend against placing pressure on the backs of the cells like that, they can develop fractures really easily. You won't see them but they will eventually degrade electrical performance. The frame is fine, you can just outboard the mounting legs to the corners, and drill holes in the frame where you want them The inboard holes are there so the modules can be mounted to handle really heavy wind and snow loads which you will never see in a portable application. 

I would guess that the controller just resets when you disconnect it from battery power. One of the software versions warns against having a load on the batt during equalization because it can get stuck if that's happening, not sure which version was causing the issue originally at this point. Anyhow in gel/AGM mode it will never equalize so problem solved. You don't need both controllers to equalize anyhow. 
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 11:54am
Originally posted by ToolmanJohn

It looks like the Renogy solar controller might have a similar feature, but stuck on equalization?


Thanks John. I may have accidentally somehow reset the controller. I swapped battery and solar connections. Yes, I have them clearly labeled. Just wasn't paying attention. Anyway it complained about battery overload. When I hooked it up properly, it seems it may be functioning better. At least, when side-by-side with new controller.

I have detailed all of this to Renogy. It would be nice to hear from them.
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 11:49am
Modified version of panel mount/stand is much stronger. Shortened legs, glued it up, added some bracing with pvc blocks and vhb tape and added a simple preventer with paracord and trucker's hitch to keep it from collapsing. It's easier to adjust than the Renogy suitcase.

I think this will work.
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 11:43am
Originally posted by Olddawgsrule

Ha.. I learned it from my Grandfather who did it in Newfoundland. Not just a WV thing! Between that and the Kindling Cracker life is good! Well, the splitter as well...


Yeah, I am sure the tire method was invented shortly after the wheel was. Now I have to have that Kindling Cracker!! I thought I was hip with my Fiskars 28 inch hookaroon!

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2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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ToolmanJohn View Drop Down
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 11:02am
 Solar is awesome!!

 On my STECA SOLARIX PRS 2020 20A charger controller (150 watt rook mount panel) the chart for voltage levels is:

End of charge voltage (float) 13,9 V 
Boost charge voltage (boost) 14,4 V 
Equalization charge (equal) 14,7 V  (MONTHLY)

The equalization charge only happens every when there's enough solar power to do so. This is on 2 Trojan T-105 6 volt golf cart batteries in series (12 volts). There must be an internal clock keeping track of when it happens. The solar charge controller is directly hooked to the batteries, regardless of whatever the charger/converter is doing, the solar does it's thing when it decides to do it. Which is nearly 100% of the time. I only plug into shore power at home when prepping for a trip (cooling fridge on electric, or running the A/C while cleaning inside the camper).

It looks like the Renogy solar controller might have a similar feature, but stuck on equalization?

 I have had my batteries installed in the trailer (mine are in the trailer nose, not an R-Pod), always check water levels before storage, and left alone all winter to take care of themselves. So far results are great. Just a little water to add each spring. Solar is awesome!!
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Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
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Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 7:02am
Originally posted by fwunder

After bending down to chase after all the pieces for a few years, you learn that those WV farmers had some good ideas. I lived in SW Virginia for 6+ years - Blacksburg.

Ha.. I learned it from my Grandfather who did it in Newfoundland. Not just a WV thing! Between that and the Kindling Cracker life is good! Well, the splitter as well...
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