Solar Updated

I've spent a lot of time on this system......Please do not let my example scare you off from doing your own.......my struggles are not a good example of the job...lol....got to love TBI.....

I have really seen my limitations in a new light with this modification to the 5th wheel....

I have not been updating the post as often as I'd like sorry.....

I believe the last update I was relocating the charge control  for the solar panels....I added a meter that shows all kinds of fun stuff like how much the solar panels are charging and how full the batteries are....

I relocated this into the bedroom just under the tv stand....the green light tells me the solar panels are charging.....a blinking light says the batteries are full....mine are now full :)

After all my set backs...not sure I even shared them all with you here, let's just say I wasted many days and a little bit of money on silly mistakes... I'll blame TBI...lol

Yesterday and today were dedicated to wiring the AC power with the addition of the new inverter.....to be honest the wiring of the inverter was one of the first things I worked out in my mind and on my notes....getting from a shore power plug set up for 50 amp service to feed the inverter and from the inverter to the service panel....easy enough right....

My trusty multi-meter helped me figure out which wires went where.....but...by the time I got back to this job I had lost my notes....funny thing I really thought it was in my note book with all the other notes on the trailer????

Well as things worked out I got side tracked for a few weeks right....I realized I had no idea how to go about wiring the inverter a few days ago so I have been dreading this one.....

I did work up the nerve to jump in and the first thing I found was a leaking water heater....lol....that got repaired, but it took me a whole day and really wiped me out......fatigue is one of my biggest challenges these days....especially if my head gets as low as my heart or if I have to look up for very long.....I think it has something to do with the damage done to my brain stem.....I also can have some really weird sensations in my hands and feet.....just have to learn to take things slow.... I did a post "Drip Drip Drip" about the water heater.

Yesterday, I was able to run the wires for the inverter.....I bought a very heavy 100 foot extension cord and ran it from the service panel, right next to the water heater under the kitchen sink(?????), back to the inverter which is mounted up near the battery box.....I spent a lot of time on my back running the wire under the kitchen cabinets, through the floor, under the trailer with the other wires and then back into the storage area where the inverter is mounted.

in this photo the shore wires are as they came from the factory

here it is as I made modification....that is heat shrink on the original cord....I soldered the joints and used heat shrink on every splice!!!!!

This is how I got back into the storage are from under the trailer....the wires follow the gas line which mad a nice strong support for the wires. I have the propane tank out

A little tidding up!!!

Here is the inverter mounted in the original battery storage area......I have it lag bolted to the wooden  floor under the metal box.

You can see how clean my largest storage bay is...lol!!!

Today I then ran another line back to the service box from the inverter......by doing it this way the shore line can still be packed away in it's original spot. I got things hocked up and yes the AC power works...

Tomorrow I hope to get the battery box finished up...I need to run all the cables so all the batteries are in use...right now I'm only using two of the 6 volt batteries making 12 volts.

I will then be able to hook up the inverter so we can see if the inverter runs the microwave.....oh ya the microwave.....another story for another day......let's just say I now use the surge protect that cost over $100.

Once every thing is done I plan to give a run down of the components in my solar system and will try to add links for all the parts I used if I ordered them on line.

If you have been following my blog you may have noticed a few changes....I'm talking more about TBI...traumatic brain injury....I hope it helps others understand TBI as it seems we all come in contact with TBI survivors and it helps to have a better understanding of their special needs and limitation. So please share my blog with others. 


Also, I added a link to Amazon, my favorite store.....they have almost everything I used so far at the best prices.

If you use the Amazon link it gives me a small commission at no cost to you so I invite you to use the link and remember to use PayPal...no commission for me, but it is safe.

Thanks for all your support by visiting my blog, sharing the blog and using my Amazon link.

Del