List Your Mods:

Originally posted by JandL I went with the single battery for simplicity. The problem with multiple batteries is after a while one would get weaker and the stronger battery would discharging into to the weaker battery to try to bring it to the same voltage.

I went with the single battery for simplicity. The problem with multiple batteries is after a while one would get weaker and the stronger battery would discharging into to the weaker battery to try to bring it to the same voltage. I would have purchased a group 31 but Costco doesn’t carry them. Someday when I have to replace it I will go to Sam’s Club because they carry group 31 batteries. Any battery bigger than that, I would need a forklift to lift it in place. I also have a generator, but the solar panel makes no noise.

Nice mod with the solar.

great idea thank you

Solar Panel
I purchased a Grape Solar “GS-Star-100W”, 100 watt panel from Costco and a group 27 battery. I had to get a new battery box to hold the bigger battery and to also mount the charge controller and circuit breaker. The charge controller is a Morningstar “SK-12 SunKeeper” 12 Amp PWM Charge Controller. They make a 6 amp model but someday I may want to add a second panel so I got the 12 amp. To hook it up to the panel and battery I used an Solar Panel Cable - 30ft long, 12 AWG wire, with Mc4 connectors. I cut the cable in half and attached it to the Anderson multipole power connector, SB50 series, 50 amps, 10-12 gauge wire contacts and added a dust cover along with a Bussmann 10 amp panel mount circuit breaker “25510-B-2”. I carry a step ladder in my rear pass thru hung from a wood slats. I need the ladder to install the panel. The solar panel travels in my bathroom strapped to the wall; it’s not a problem if it gets wet. I haul everything out to the side of the trailer and extend the 2 legs that are attached to the panel with hinges. The panel weighs 20 pounds so it helps to have some hand it up to you. I have installed foam strips to the frame of the panel so it won’t damage the roof or edge molding. I use 2 Irwin Quick Grip Handi Clamps to attach the legs to the slide out frame. I trimmed off the ends of 2 Camco Party Light Holders and super glued them together to so I could attach the cam from a “Parent Units 2 Pack Topple Stop Furniture Straps” I got from Amazon. The straps I attached to the side of the solar panel. I put a lock on the Handi Clamp to make it harder to remove the panel; the back tube on the lock was to increase the diameter so you can’t operate the release mechanisms on the clamps. I route the wire down the side of the trailer to clips, I have replaced most of the plastic ones with metal one because the plastic ones snapped off. If shade is covering the top of the trailer I can position the panel on the ground.

Group 27 battery and charge controller wiring


Charge controller, Anderson connector and circuit breaker


Ladder storage


Secured in the bathroom for travel


All the parts and the installation


Lock to make it harder to remove and straps to help hold it in place if there is wind


Because it is not bolted to the roof I can move it to get the best sun




Warning label so you do not run the slideout


Mt. Rose Campground last Thursday had good sun so the battery's charged, on Friday their was over cast so it didn't charge as well