TEARDROP SOLAR SETUP - RENOGY FLEXIBLE PANELS
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 มี.ค. 2020
- Spring is in the air, and the sun is getting higher in the sky. That can only mean one thing….lets install a solar power system on the teardrop!
In this episode, we install two 50 watt Renogy solar panels on the Camp EZ teardrop camper. The panels are being installed in series vs parallel to double the wattage. The power from the panels will go through a Victron Bluetooth charge controller, and ultimately be stored in a Weize 100ah AGM battery.
We originally planned to mount the solar panels to the roof of the teardrop trailer using sealant, but ended up going with 3M VHB tape.
AMAZON PRODUCTS SHOWN IN THIS VIDEO*:
Renogy 50 watt Flexible Solar Panel
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Weize 100am AGM Battery
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3M VHB Tape
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SOME OF OUR FAVORITE ITEMS FOR TEARDROP CAMPING:
IBOLT IPAD / TABLET HOLDER
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GORILLA GUARD TONGUE LOCK
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TRIMAX TCL 65 WHEEL LOCK
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CAMCO CURVED LEVELER
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GSI OUTDOORS STAINLESS PERCOLATOR (Shown in this episode)
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GoPro Hero 7 Black
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Music in this video from TH-cam's Creative Common's Library.
Song “Mad Science Sting” by MK2
Song “Wishful Thinking” by Dan Lebowitz
Music in this video from Epidemic Sound
Song “Like an Idiot” (Instrumental Version) - Sven Karlsson
Song “Thunderbird” - Ooyy - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
*Super compact and easy to carry and travel with accessories for the electric **Generater.Systems** .I was worried this was going to be bulky or hard to use.Hooks up easy and charges quickly*
This is definitely the best solution I've seen for solar cable management! I love that you're not punching another hole in your camper.
Thanks!
Unfortunately too many people followed your advice and went camping so now l need solar power to put on my overlanding trailer to get away from all the people camping!
Lol! I think the same thing every time I try to book a campsite and they’re all sold out!
Wow! Great video. Thank you for sharing.
Just started watching some of your videos. Digging them so far. Simple/to-the-point, no fluff. Only gripe, 3:16, gotta give that buddy a good pet!
Thanks so much for watching!
Flexible solar panels, glued down to curved surfaces! very interesting
Mike, as unusual you have thought everything out way in advance!!! Looking forward to the next vidja. The prices on the items used is very reasonable. The install was thought out and planned with precision.... great job!!! Thanks for sharing, w.w.
Much appreciated! Being able to route through the fan sure helped to conceal the wires! See you on the next one!
I like the way you made the entry!
George H. Reed Jr. Thanks! It just seemed to be an easy and clean way.
Great video. Looking forward to part ll. Thanks
Thank you! I should have the next installment ready Next week. Thanks so very much for watching!!
This is good. My half-car camper project has a 100W solar panel mounted flush where the front windshield once was. It will recharge my rockpals. My rockpals will provide us with LED lighting, heat, 12v fridge/freezer, fans, as well as recharge our devices. I love what you did with your panels.
Jocko Ward Thank you! Sounds like you have a good system as well.
Great job really clean and easy setup and installation!
Thanks!! Going through the fan housing just seemed to work.
Really clean!
Thanks!
Excellent video. Something about installing solar panels on the roof of my trailer feels sketchy. I've done a lot of driving through a lot of crazy conditions from hailstorms to tornado warnings... read online reviews saying these kind of panels wear out after a while and can short circuit. Thinking about getting creative with smaller foldout solar panels that we can stow away after gathering energy for a while. It would be nice to always be gathering energy but I feel like it could be set up where we use stow-away foldout solar panels that we take out during sunny days to charge a few batteries, then just keep an eye on the battery levels. Solar tech is improving so fast, it seems like folks might regret installing those big ones on their house roofs for example when in 5 years there will likely be far superior tech. Might get to the point where you don't even need it on your roof, just like a solar satellite that you put in your backyard that gathers energy from the sun.
Another really helpful video! We really need to get a solar system!
Michael, I was talking about your other video on preparing your teardrop as an "escape pod" just the other day while we were visiting two of our kids in Austin, Texas ... I'll bet a lot of people will be camping for this year's vacations and get-aways! I know we will for sure... but it's really great to have it prepared for emergency trips!
Flying home the other day felt so strange with all the news. We kept our travel plans to return to upstate NY because we figured it would be more difficult to do as time went on. We got home just in time to experience the "apocalyptic shopping" ... we were just trying to restock the fridge after being away and it was crazy out there!
I continue to keep the tornado victims in prayer. I hope you and Joann stay well! ~ Maria
This whole virus thing is crazy. Hopefully all the temporary closures will settle the spread down. I could be wrong, but I have to believe that after everyone fills their pantries, the stores will get stocked back up again. Even though we’re all buying extra, we can only buy so much, then the supply chain will catch back up. Like everyone else, where just waiting it out. I suppose we’ll just keep making videos to pass the time!
Love the extra thought you put into cable management to make such a clean install. I'm with you on the lithium batteries, too expensive for the casual camper. However, if I was full time it's probably worth the investment.
Well said! Good to hear from you!
I wouldnt use old style batteries they emit toxic gas. Thats why i wemt with lithium
Very nice video!
Thank you!
i was looking forward to this video!. It looks like you bought a new disk golf basket. also looks like your getting decent at it. I like the tape has a primer that's a tape id trust.
This was a fun video to make! Yep, I finally picked up a legit basket. This disc golf is way harder than I expected, but sure is fun!
you might want to put some eternabond tape on the "forward" side of that panel, and about half way down the sides so wind going down the road doesn't try to lift it off your VHB tape. i'm getting ready to do this on a cargo trailer and think this will be the safe route. still leaves you an air gap for water etc...
I’ll kick that around. Thanks for the suggestion!
LOL, found your site looking for tips for adding a Renogy 50W to our T@b. Already do their suitcase 200W into our 100Ah AGM. I'm going to attempt a modular/removeable install so I can redeploy until I can build up an inventory of panels. I do a lot of SW US camping, so need A/C and right now most small scale (~50W) solar can't suppport that.
I’m glad you found us! AC would be a must have there.
Great video, very helpful. Two questions - can you point me to the grommet that you show going through the side of the vent? That's slick!
Thank you! I bought a pack of grommets in different sizes so I could use them on other projects as well. Here’s the link: GiBot Cable Glands - 25 Pack Plastic Waterproof 3.5-13mm Cable Glands Joints Wire Protectors, PG 7/9/11/13.5/16, Black www.amazon.com/dp/B0748JLNR4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9VHLEbGH3Z3D7
Such a clean install! Excited to see your controller! I might steal your tape idea if I remount my panel on the roof. I’m pretty sure mine was duct taped! (Don’t recommend) 😂😂
The vent van was just screaming for me to run wires through it! Lol! If that tape sticks as good as I think it will, I sure hope I never have have to remove the panels! I look so forward to a sunny day to try it!
Could put tape around solar, similar what you would do on the roof vent housing. Like ethabond.
I’ve heard of folks doing that. I almost did that.
Hey - been watching your videos for about 6 months now and last weekend I became a Teardrop owner! Very helpful! How is 100 watts out for you? I've got a Little Guy Rough Rider 6 wide and have very limited real estate on the roof. There is more space on the hatch. I already have a 12V battery system that can charge off of the 30A when plugged in or the vehicle when towing. I want to power the ceiling fan, sink pump, lights (LED conversion is next on the list) and some small electronics to charge inside. Is 100 Watts enough? the 100W Renogy is too big but I could do 2 50W panels in parallel like yours..
hey hey! great video. btw your amazon link for the tape is dead 😳
How’s it working as far as moisture and Rain? That’s my only concern.
I’ll be doing this today and debating on putting tape around the edges for rain.
No problems that I’ve noticed. I do keep it in a garage when not in use though.
Dh and I watched this last night. We're planning our build and would like to have solar. Dh loves your detailed explanations! We would like to know if you've been happy with this set up or if you'd change anything after having used it for a few months. Thanks!
As of now, I’m very happy with it. Everything is working great.
Something you may want to consider is Lithium. In the long run Lithium is cheeper but you really don't need 100 ah. I have 2 lithium batteries intended for a Harley they ran about $600 for both. This is enough power for lights and fan continuously for 6 days. I also have solar but I thought really hard if I wanted them on the teardrop. I decided to keep my panels separate not mounted but I normally camp under trees. The advantage to mounting is the batteries will charge while you drive. I agree completely on the corona virus and the fresh air will help your immune system.
I hope to do lithium when it gets cheaper. It’s lighter, holds more, and charges more quickly. Maybe by the time the AGM battery lays down, it will be more affordable. I wouldn’t mind having one of those foldable solar panels to supplement when the sun is in a bad position.
@@CampandCamera Might be a while with that AGM in a Teardrop. I have a lead acid in my Tear...not AGM... charges both while driving from the alternator and with a 40 solar panel hooked to a 7amp controller...been 8 years and the battery still tests out fine and runs perfect.
How are the panels holding up? If you were to do it again would you place something under to create an air gap? I see some people installing the flex panels that way. I'm trying to decide if I should. Thanks in advance.
So far, they’re doing well. If I had it to do over, I probably would have mounted them on a tilting bracket so I could aim them directly at the sun in the morning and evening.
Hello Michael, it would be interesting if you can provide the type of VHB Tape you are using, it is normally named VHB then four digits: there are so many different VHB Tapes!
I didn’t realize that! I just looked it up...it’s 3M VHB 5952.
I just found your videos and love them! Thank you - in process of sourcing my materials for my build and love the doors you used, may I ask where you got them from? Thanks
I’m glad you found us! I built the doors myself. The trim I used for the doors came from Vintage Technologies.
@@CampandCamera thanks. I just went back to the beginning of your build and watch the door build. Wonderful job
Thank you! Admittedly, it was a bit of work. However, I really love how they turned out. Happy Camping!!
Good son!
Michael, great install! Something I’ve been curious about in your intro, would you please describe the brick ruins? What are they and their location? I must have missed the episode so if you have a video, point me to it. Thanks.
Thank you! This is the Sheldon Church ruins near Beaufort, SC.
th-cam.com/video/BhNBd5JdaE4/w-d-xo.html
Many thanks. After viewing this video I realized that combining my photography with historical places was usually a wise choice. HDR is a wonderful tool, along with the tripod and polarizing filter. Wonderful results!
Gary Pollmiller Thank you! Some of my best days have been behind a tripod.
You mentioned 10 Guage wire, is you entire camper wired with 10, or just the wiring for you solar? I'm getting ready to wire my trailer up, and similar to you, I will just have led lighting and some charging stations. I was planning on 14 guage... still haven't decided on solar.
10 was just on the solar.
How fast are you going and how far are you travelling?
I used this tape in combination with eternabond and my panel still came off.
I usually travel 70 -75 mph on the interstate and go a few hours at a time. No issues. I prepped the surface and used primer.
Renogy specifically recommends using a structural silicone adhesive to bond panels for mobile uses. I have used that black 3m tape for years, it does not work well when it gets hot, i am very curious as to how this held up.
So far, so good. I put a bunch of tape on it though.
Awesome, I'm building an off grid system for my semi truck, looking to install 3, 175 watt Matt's on the roof to keep 1200 ah system topped off.
Wow! That will be quite a system. You’ll be able to power lots of items with that.
How has this install held up? Im getting ready to do the same
Good so far, but it stays in a garage when not in use.
I've been interested in solar power for my house for years. Eventually the price will come down to where I might be able to afford it.
It would be nice to have a home that’s off-grid capable. Hey, how’s your daughter? Is the situation where she lives improving?
it looks like it has been 3 years since you installed these solar panels on your camper. Over time how have the panels held up to the weather?
Great so far, but I keep it in a garage when not in use.
I can only tow 1500 lbs how heavy is this
How is the solar working our for you?
Great! I really like the system. So glad I installed it.
How can I find a contractor that can put solar panels on my Tear Drop
More and more RV technicians know what they're doing with solar installs these days.
What was the brand name of the tape you used?
It’s 3M VHB tape
AGM can be pulled to 50%, Lithium can be pulled to 80%
That’s great news!
@@CampandCamera Nonsense, a deep cycle AGM can easily be drawn down to 80%. 80% of the difference between your float voltage (fully charged; 13.2 VDC) and your ECV (end cell voltage; 10.38 VDC) or 10.98 VDC. 12 VDC (volts direct current) is the Nominal Voltage. Cheers!
Thanks for the update!
@@CampandCamera If you find yourself in Denver...
renogy doesn't recommend this method of installation.
I know your heart was in the right place, but, spare us the "COVID" piece. We've just had "COVID" shoved our butt so much, we're tired of hearing it. It is, what it is! The rest of the video was "spot on"!!
Just a quick note….this video was released in March 2020. At that point, Covid was a very fresh topic. Folks were on edge, including myself. No one knew where this thing was going to go. I do agree with you in that I’m tired of hearing about it myself now. I’m ready for it to be in the rear view mirror. We buried a family member yesterday due to the virus. I do appreciate you watching.
@campandcamera like Bobby I was in total agreement with their comment, until I read your response. your response to Bobby was perfect.
I think a lot of us forgot our fears and uncertainty at the beginning of COVID-19.
Great video! I'm getting ready to mount my Bougerv 200 Watt yuma cigs on my van. Your video nailed it for me.
Thanks
Seriously? i'm watching a video to learn about solar on an Rv and i have to watch you throw frisbies and play with dogs. Ugh!
Yes, those were added extras that made this video more entertaining!