US $23,500.00
Nov 072010
I've talked about the modifications and additions I have been doing to the electrical system on the trailer. Today I have pretty much completed the work. There are a few things to tidy up but I am comfortable using it with the way it is now.
To recap the work done I added an additional battery, installed an inverter, installed the solar system and added an auxiliary 12 volt buss for accessories. I've included a picture below with descriptions of what I have done.
- 2 Sears Platinum AGM Deep Cycle Batteries - 200 Ah total capacity
- Xantrex Prosine 1800w PSW Inverter - To change 12 volt DC to 110 volt AC. Will supply up to 15 amps of AC. Will mainly be used to power the TV, satellite system and other small AC accessories.
- Xantrex C35 Solar Converter - Solar panel battery charger
- Master Cutoff Switch - 3 position switch to completely disconnect the batteries from the trailer, just connect the batteries to the trailer electrical system, just connect the inverter to the batteries or connect both the batteries and the inverter.
- Master Fuse - 250 amp master fuse to protect the complete electrical system.
- Accessory Fuse Block - 12 volt fuse block for connecting up to 6 accessories. Currently supplying power to the electric awning.
- Accessory Fuse - 80 amp fuse to protect the fuse block.
- Solar Panel Cutoff Switch - 2 position switch to disconnect the solar system from the batteries.
- Solar Panel Fuse - 50 amp fuse to protect the solar panel circuit.
For wiring I am using welding cable. 4/0 cable (1/2" diameter) to connect the batteries together. 1/0 cable from the batteries to the inverter. #4 cable for everything else. Not shown is an RV electrical panel that is connected to the output of the inverter. This will allow me to plug in the trailer electrical cord to the inverter when I need 110v AC power.
In most instances you would want the batteries to be installed in a separate compartment then the rest of electrical system as 12 volt wet cell batteries can give off explosive gasses. I am using AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries that will not give off gas unless then are grossly abused. The batteries are covered (not shown in the picture) and there is a fan powered vent tube so I am comfortable with the setup I have.
I purchased the solar panels (225 watts) and controller used for $400. I also purchased the inverter used for $400. Buy the time I got the wiring, switches, fuses and connectors I figure I have about $1200 into this system that will allow me to camp "off grid" and only need to run my generator a couple of hours per day. If I had to buy all of this new I would have over $3000 in the system.
 |