Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[chorky]

Sounds like a winner! I'll have to do a bit more research as it looks like their input voltage might not work with my Pecron. Looks like a great product though.

Pecron - that's the lithium battery box you have right?



Here is what I started with
https://www.zampsolar.com/collectio...dian-series-100-watt-portable-kit-unregulated
https://www.zampsolar.com/collections/charge-controllers

Then I got this on a double discount
https://www.zampsolar.com/collections/on-sale/products/obsidian-series-100-watt-solar-panel-b-stock

What you could do is get panels and charge controller mounted, and have the output of the charge controller go to an Anderson connection that then connects to your battery box. I would imagine it can charge up that way....

Or you could even do this if you didn't want a hard mounted solution.
https://www.zampsolar.com/collectio...sidian-series-100-watt-portable-kit-regulated

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[Mules]

Pecron - that's the lithium battery box you have right?



Here is what I started with
https://www.zampsolar.com/collectio...dian-series-100-watt-portable-kit-unregulated
https://www.zampsolar.com/collections/charge-controllers

Then I got this on a double discount
https://www.zampsolar.com/collections/on-sale/products/obsidian-series-100-watt-solar-panel-b-stock

What you could do is get panels and charge controller mounted, and have the output of the charge controller go to an Anderson connection that then connects to your battery box. I would imagine it can charge up that way....

Or you could even do this if you didn't want a hard mounted solution.
https://www.zampsolar.com/collectio...sidian-series-100-watt-portable-kit-regulated

Thanks @chorky. Looks like a nice setup, and I bet those (2) panels keep your batteries topped off. I think the Zamp panels will hold up better and not damage the camper's fiberglass top like flexible panels might.

I like using a Solar Generator/Power Supply, as everything is built in already. My Pecron has two power inputs and has the MPPT build in. I can plug solar panels directly in but I have to have panels with the correct voltage. Nice thing is that Solar Generators have everything built in and are getting very cheap. My Pecron 600 is only $300. It lasts me 1-2 days without recharging. The unusually great thing about it is that I can run 1200 watts out of it. It will power a microwave or large hot plates.

I love it, but would get a larger one next time.

Since the Zamp panel outputs 26v, I would have to run two in series to input 52v into the Pecron.

 

[chorky]

Does it actually require 52v or is that just the maximum it can take? I don't think you can or want to hook up Zamp solar panels in series. But that would be a question for them. I think the Renogy and zamp panels are easier to do in series. I think wiring in series also creates additional negative feedback in shaded areas - ie, shade will have a greater negative affect when wired in series than in parallel.

I would be willing to bet your battery actually can work with a lower PV voltage and that the 52v spec is for maximum input.

 

[fourfa]

Minimum of 32V input would certainly be unusual, as are panels that output 32V consistently. I wouldn’t take that on face value without testing - ie temporarily wire in parallel and see what happens

 

[Mules]

Minimum of 32V input would certainly be unusual, as are panels that output 32V consistently. I wouldn’t take that on face value without testing - ie temporarily wire in parallel and see what happens

Yes an input from 32 to 95v sounds unusual. The Pecron Solar panels output this range, but you have to combine others in Series to get to this range. Running higher voltage solar arrays does help keep the wire gages smaller though.

 

[Mules]

Built in or portable power?

Here's a 40% off deal on a larger portable Pecron Power Station / Solar Generator. It's about half the price of a comparable Jackery. I would buy this if I didn't have my smaller one. It's also expandable to 8,000 watts so it would be a good off the grid, or backup home solar generator.

For my camper, I like to use appliances that I can move to other vehicles or use at my home or cabin. Building in appliances is cool, but I wouldn't use them as much. When the power went out last year, I used my portable generators (solar & gas) and portable Fridge for a couple days.

What are your thoughts?

 

[chorky]

Yes an input from 32 to 95v sounds unusual. The Pecron Solar panels output this range, but you have to combine others in Series to get to this range. Running higher voltage solar arrays does help keep the wire gages smaller though.

That's interesting. Having a weird voltage like that would really turn me off from ever wanting one. For funnies I went and checked bluetti. They have a 2000w option for the same price as pecron (minus the discount) and they spec out a PV of 11-60, which is much more in line. I dont think I would want to use the pecron with those weird specifications. I bet they do that to force you to use their stuff.

Built in or portable power?

Here's a 40% off deal on a larger portable Pecron Power Station / Solar Generator. It's about half the price of a comparable Jackery. I would buy this if I didn't have my smaller one. It's also expandable to 8,000 watts so it would be a good off the grid, or backup home solar generator.

For my camper, I like to use appliances that I can move to other vehicles or use at my home or cabin. Building in appliances is cool, but I wouldn't use them as much. When the power went out last year, I used my portable generators (solar & gas) and portable Fridge for a couple days.

What are your thoughts?

I looked at portable power once. It is a fantastic option for certain situation. But I opted for a on board system because I wanted to always have the option to use even the fridge for just grocery store runs. But they are the simplest and easiest of options for just basic and mobile needs.

 

[Mules]

Here's two great choices in Missouri when the temperatures hit 100 degrees!

1) Cooling off at the nearby river.

2) Or checking one of the many caves in Missouri.

 

[RockTrixWheels]

Absolutely love this build! Looks super slick

 

[Mules]

Absolutely love this build! Looks super slick

Thanks, this forum's encouragement kept me going. This was a long build!

 

[Mules]

A few more Huzzah River pics.

 

[antwon412]

Picked up my camper Friday afternoon. Spent Saturday doing some wiring. Today I’m mounting and wiring up the solar panel.

Headed out to Moab next Saturday so I’ll get some work done during the week; namely my awning. (Hopefully the awning brackets I ordered work. The ones specific to the camper are on backorder)

The very basic interior build out will have to wait.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Picked up my camper Friday afternoon. Spent Saturday doing some wiring. Today I’m mounting and wiring up the solar panel.

Headed out to Moab next Saturday so I’ll get some work done during the week; namely my awning. (Hopefully the awning brackets I ordered work. The ones specific to the camper are on backorder)

The very basic interior build out will have to wait.

Looks good, can't wait to hear more about the camper as you go.

 

[Mules]

It's snug downstairs, but still room enough for me to sleep with the kids up top.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Old cooler rack and new rod rack, only put the Jersey plate on when hitting Jersey or NC plate at the outer banks, figure it will block some air to radiator.

My old rack is running the beach’s in Jersey on a black High Altitude Glady.

Hey Jack, where did you find that rod launcher? Looks like it could really take a hit!

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