Ideas or resources : implementing solar power on your troop trailer.

[rickmac]

I have researched various sites and finding it difficult for an easy solution to Solar Power enable out wells cargo trailer with low amp load to run a couple LED lights and possibly a rear facing LED flood light. Has anyone done this or know of a company that sells a complete kit ?

[Basementdweller]

LED flood lights are still very expensive

 

http://www.theledlight.com/floodlight_F412.html

 

Harbor freight and northern tool both offer kits for lighting tool sheds and such.

 

 

A couple of problems,

 

The battery will get destroyed with the constant charging.

 

If you store the panels in the trailer and put them out only once on site, you will need 10-20 watts in panels.

 

If you are looking for a greener low maintenance solution. Deep cycle marine battery, plug it in at home to charge up before the weekend. Then use a couple of 5 watt panels to charge it during the weekend.

[rickmac]

Thanks good practical info. If a charging regulator is applied online will that prevent the batteries from building up too much resistance?

[Basementdweller]

You should absolutely use a charge regulator, But I still believe that it would be more affordable and practical to just charge the battery from AC.

 

If you absolutely positively have to do solar. I would disconnect the panels after the camp out and reconnect meeting before your outing or as I mentioned store the panel inside the trailer. Make sure you power cycle the batterys...... Run the lights or put an heavy load on the batteries to help maintain them. Then charge them back up.

 

Not a simple set it up and forget it situation.

[rickmac]

Here is some useful information I found. Note the Maxxima LED light @ $35.00. Promising for solar batteries.

Wells Cargo: 7000011 Box, Battery, Solar, Group 27 Battery $193.60 EA

7000010 Box, Battery, Solar, "U" Series Battery $155.93 EA

http://www.powerupco.com/batteries/boxes.php

http://www.batterymart.com/c-solar-battery-chargers.htmlLED Lights & Mounts: http://www.maxxima.com/contact_us.php

LED Lights/Solar: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Maxxima-White-LED-Cargo-Camper-RV-Light-Solar-Trailer_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50070QQitemZ370239135116

[Basementdweller]

The problem with the ebay unit is that it does not list lumens or candle power.

 

I would also mount the battery on the tongue of the trailer or outside cargo area.

 

Remember you get what you pay for.

 

 

 

[boomerscout]

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago93.html

this may help

[rickmac]

Thanks. Good article.

[rdclements]

My son's troop has lights, battery, and solar panels installed on the trailer, much like was suggested in other posts. It has a lot of potential, however in the end it has been rarely used. Everyone's wearing an LED headlamp and the installed lights are not really needed much.

[rickmac]

I can fully understand this not to mention ongoing maintenance. Am beginning to think that the better alternative is a "hybrid." Place a battery box on the front box with a trailer light connector to attach to a battery in the box. Run power and lines off this and hook up one of those small solar panel trickle charges on the top of the trailer. Much cheaper and does the same thing. Just need to make the battery a safe install.