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Harbor Freight Solar Panel

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: Modifications
Forum Description: Mod your Pod....then post your pictures
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4825
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 7:31am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Harbor Freight Solar Panel
Posted By: LFT
Subject: Harbor Freight Solar Panel
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2019 at 4:44pm
Hi, I'm a new member and a new R-Pod owner, in fact so new I haven't picked up my 2020 model 178 from Couch's yet! I will pick it up the middle of July and my wife and I plan to continue on out west. My first question is I'm planning to purchase a Harbor Freight 100W solar panel kit for the times we won't be plugged in. Any suggestions on how and where to store the panel when not being used? It seems like it would be fragile and once assembled it is quite big. Couch's said it was $1600 to install Forest River's panel on the roof, so I'm passing on that for now, especially since the H.F. unit is $150 with a coupon!

We are a little concerned about lack of storage on the inside, it appears there is plenty outside storage.

Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance!

LFT


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L.Thomas



Replies:
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2019 at 5:18pm
Transport on bed or in tow vehicle.

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Mike Carter
2015 178


Posted By: LFT
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2019 at 2:25pm
Actually after setting up the 4 sections of solar panels I think the best way is to break them down and return them to the original box and store the box up against the front of my pickup bed on it's edge. Ez to do, don't even see the necessity of attaching the panels to each other since they all have their own 'kickstand' support.

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L.Thomas


Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2019 at 6:00pm
what controller is in the kit?


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Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie.
'11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295 http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786.html" rel="nofollow - FurPodsMods
'17 Ford F250 CCSB


Posted By: LFT
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2019 at 9:27pm
Not sure, the it own brand I suspect, enough of a controller to handle 100 watts, maybe 150 watts. It has an input for additional panels. The kit came with two led lamps as well that plug into the controller as well. This kit was given high praise by Consumers Reports.

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L.Thomas


Posted By: maddoxaz
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 3:12pm
I'm also considering a small solar setup for my 2017 178, which has the 'solar on the side' plug already installed.  My question is how/where to wire the controller unit that comes with the panels.  It looks like the panels attach to the controller, then from the controller to the 'solar on the side' input.  If so, do you mount the solar controller on the outside of your trailer?  Or just leave it hanging or hidden somehow when in use?

Thanks.


Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 3:28pm
Originally posted by maddoxaz maddoxaz wrote:

I'm also considering a small solar setup for my 2017 178, which has the 'solar on the side' plug already installed.  My question is how/where to wire the controller unit that comes with the panels.  It looks like the panels attach to the controller, then from the controller to the 'solar on the side' input.  If so, do you mount the solar controller on the outside of your trailer?  Or just leave it hanging or hidden somehow when in use?

Thanks.


most portable panels have the controller mounted to the back of the solar panel(s).


-------------
Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie.
'11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295 http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786.html" rel="nofollow - FurPodsMods
'17 Ford F250 CCSB


Posted By: LFT
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 3:43pm
Can't answer that yet, I pick up my new 178 in 10 days. Although I do know the new 2020's have the solar pre-wiring terminating on the roof now instead of on the side of the tongue. I would think your setup would be much easier to hookup with the Harbor Freight panels. I don't intend hooking mine to the roof. Although possibly as some point in time I will get panels for the roof. I'm sure within the first couple of days I will be removing panels to see what is up with the wiring. As it is these panels and controller just use alligator clips to attach to the battery, the panels are waterproof but the charge controller is not so it will have to be kept dry.

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L.Thomas


Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 5:39pm
I'd have to look at a Thunderbolt set up.  Normally the panels and controller would connect to the Z Amp connector on TT.  You may need a Z Amp adapter.  You could adapt the controller to inside pass thru.  Issue will be integrity of seal on the pass thru door.  I looked a HF solar but not close enough to see where controller was mounted.

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Mike Carter
2015 178


Posted By: LFT
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 6:41pm
On the HF setup the components are separate, the 4 panels plug into a harness which plugs into the controller, the leads to the battery also plug into the controller. There is plenty of cable provided. Yes if you could find a way into the trailer without disturbing the integrity of the trailer it woul be simple to mount the controller inside.

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L.Thomas


Posted By: maddoxaz
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 6:52pm
I suppose I could just place or mount the controller just inside the cargo door near the plug-in, and just let the cables lead out when in use.  Thanks for all the feedback.


Posted By: LFT
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 7:58pm
Probably exactly what I'm going to do. I'm very reluctant to drill holes in the roof to mount panels up there. My dealer told me $1600 to install the solar, you can buy the kit for $650 that goes on the roof, 150 watts I belive. The 100 watt panels from HF cost me $150 2 weeks ago.

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L.Thomas


Posted By: maddoxaz
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2019 at 6:14pm
That's exactly what I did, I just stored the controller inside the back cargo compartment, which is right beside the SOTS plug.  Worked great, stayed dry throughout a heavy downpour.  (I closed the door but did not latch it, so as to not stress the wire.)


Posted By: john_benham
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2019 at 12:04pm
Mr. Thomas,

I installed a solar panel on the roof of my R-Pod 179. It was not that difficult. Being on the roof, one does not have to be concerned on storage or setup each time you stop and camp. My installation was done over five-years ago. Now you can get a 260 watt for the same price. With our solar panel, I never connect up to the commercial places electricity outlets. Sometimes they put you in a different spot with no electricity that is cheaper. Most of our camping is at Forest Service and Park Service campgrounds.

The only time one would need outside mains is with the air conditioning.

http://www.rpodnation.com/solar-panel-150-w_topic4373_post42896.html?KW=solar+panel#42896

Hope this helps out.

John B.
Spokane


Posted By: Kingskerswell
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2019 at 1:34pm
Hi John Benham,
Just curious as to what methodology you adopted for your solar panel install (attachment in particular).  I will be doing something similar next year and although I have some plans clear in my head it would be interesting to understand what you did...

Thank you, BarryK


Posted By: mikebettin
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2019 at 12:36pm
I have had my Harbor Freight solar for 2 seasons and love them.  I purchased one of the flat plastic totes that slide under a bed.  The 4 panels layered with bubble wrap and all the other hardware fits inside and slides right into the rear pass thru.  I like that I can setup the panels anywhere in the sun and dont have to place the Pod in the sun.  I have run my batteries down to 65% by running the heater on several cold nites and by aiming the panels at the morning sun and recharged to 100% in about 3 to 4 hours.

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2015 178 Forest River Edition
2012 Jeep Liberty TV


Posted By: maddoxaz
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2019 at 12:46pm
Not only are they handy, but they appear to be bear-resistant. 

Just kidding, but when I used them a few weeks ago, it was raining around 8pm (thank goodness), so I was inside the pod reading when it started rocking back and forth.  Turns out it was a 350-400 pound black bear that later demolished the 'bear proof' trash bin elsewhere in the campground.  He had to walk right around the solar panels and wires to give the pod a few shoves.  

I left the next morning. :)



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