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09-02-2014, 11:28 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,160
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Nice solar array. 
I'm curious as to why you didn't wire your panels, one to the other, then just run one set of wires down the stack to the charge controller?
I wish I had more panels. Just have the one 135 watt. Can't seem to find room for another set of 6 volt batteries. So it would more then likely be futile to add more panels.
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09-02-2014, 11:38 AM
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#3
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Winchester, ON
Posts: 1,177
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Why was your bed breaking away from the wall? Ours was all bent along one side which I figure was caused when I put the bedroom slide in and there was an obstruction which I had failed to remove. I have since modified the hitching up list. 
My husband is going to fix the bed today. We bought a new mattress and that will go in when he finishes fixing the bed. All this before the big trip Friday.
__________________
2012 Cruiser Sahara 330SS
2015 F250 Super Duty diesel
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09-02-2014, 12:44 PM
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#4
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 29
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Basically that is what we did. One main line and picking up the other panel wires on the way by. Ending up with just on set going down the vent pipe. We used tap in connectors, but will have to change to wire nuts when we upgrade the main line to AWG8. Can't find tap in connectors big enough to handle the 8 gauge wires.
Dale
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09-02-2014, 12:55 PM
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#5
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 29
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If you want to get to the under bed storage, I highly recommend pulling the mattress away from the wall a few inches before lifting it up. Otherwise the current design "pinches" the mattress and forces pressure on the hinges, causing the hinges to pull out of the wall.
Dale
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09-02-2014, 01:09 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,160
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dhasenwinkle
Basically that is what we did. One main line and picking up the other panel wires on the way by. Ending up with just on set going down the vent pipe. We used tap in connectors, but will have to change to wire nuts when we upgrade the main line to AWG8. Can't find tap in connectors big enough to handle the 8 gauge wires.
Dale
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OK, I see that now.
Those connectors I see on the roof, is that what you are calling "tap in connectors"?
I would get rid of them in a heart beat. Those things are nothing but trouble. They will be all oxidized down the road.
Have you given any thought to soldering the splices? Then using shrink wrap, then tape to seal them up?
Have you by any chance got some pictures of the battery compartment where you have four 6 volts?
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09-02-2014, 01:41 PM
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#7
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: PA
Posts: 190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloyd
OK, I see that now.
Those connectors I see on the roof, is that what you are calling "tap in connectors"?
I would get rid of them in a heart beat. Those things are nothing but trouble. They will be all oxidized down the road.
Have you given any thought to soldering the splices? Then using shrink wrap, then tape to seal them up?
Have you by any chance got some pictures of the battery compartment where you have four 6 volts? |
Like Lloyd said!  I eliminate those connectors even when I find them inside out of the weather!
__________________
~Mike & Kim~
NW Pennsylvania
2014 Rockwood Windjammer 3008W Diamond
2012 Toyota Tundra, 5.7L
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09-02-2014, 01:54 PM
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#8
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Winchester, ON
Posts: 1,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dhasenwinkle
If you want to get to the under bed storage, I highly recommend pulling the mattress away from the wall a few inches before lifting it up. Otherwise the current design "pinches" the mattress and forces pressure on the hinges, causing the hinges to pull out of the wall.
Dale
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Good point! Thanks!
__________________
2012 Cruiser Sahara 330SS
2015 F250 Super Duty diesel
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09-03-2014, 08:04 AM
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#9
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 29
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Lloyd: The battery's in our unit are in the front storage compartment. Two sixers on each side. There is space up there for several more battery's but would loose the storage for other items. And the weight addition would probably have to be offset with something in the rear of the trailer.
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09-03-2014, 10:34 AM
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#10
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: WI
Posts: 896
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Dale,
Great job, very innovative and worthwhile. I wish I was as handy as you guys are. 
Travel well, travel safe,
Jim
__________________
Jim & Linda Tator
Watertown, WI
2013 Crusier CF34SS GMC 3500 8.1L Dually
154 nights in 2013 - 4,370 miles
178 nights in 2014 - 5,082 miles
365 nights in 2015 - 6,040 miles
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09-03-2014, 06:53 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,160
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dhasenwinkle
Lloyd: The battery's in our unit are in the front storage compartment. Two sixers on each side. There is space up there for several more battery's but would loose the storage for other items. And the weight addition would probably have to be offset with something in the rear of the trailer.
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I would like to add two more 6 volts, but I would want them as close together as possible. The length of run for the battery cables when going clear across the camper is not recommended. I used #4 stranded wire when I made up my cables, and soldered all the connecters.
Here is a link you might find helpful or maybe at least interesting.
http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html
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