Nice install. I scuffed the bottoms of solar panel brackets lightly and where they were going to be placed on trailer roof, washed the scuffed areas with a degreaser household cleaner, then wiped everything off with 90% alcohol and lint free rag to get rid of any finger oils. Then placed turnabond tape over brackets and keep sun / weather off edges of the VHB tape. working great for past 3 years. Look into a victron battery temperature monitor module to tell charge controller when not to send power to battery in too cold temperatures. Mine is set for cutoff temp at +1 degree C.
@hankontheroad5960 i bought one with an inverter. The cord is plunged into it. With the batteries fully charged, the inverter on and the cord plugged in, i have no A/C at any plug. I can unplug it from the inverter or plug it into the original place in the bax and nothing changes. It's driving me nuts lol
Does it have a AC and heater Iike the 1400bk? If so is the solar power running everything or just your fridge ams lights? I just bought a 1400bk and they told me if I add solar it only runs the fridge and lights, not the AC and heater.
Yes it has AC & Heater. The battery only runs the 12V systems unless you add an inverter. If you add an inverter in the 1200RK, the pop up power bar gets energized with 110v AC. Theoretically, you could plug the AC and heater into the power bar, or, re-wire the RV. However, the panels and battery(ies) on such a small RV are not sufficient to run either for any length of time. The energy draw is just too great. I bought a 350W plug in heater with a thermostat. Once I add an inverter, the setup I have "could" run the tiny 350W heater for a part of the night. Instead I'll buy a lower wattage electric blanket so I can have heat thru the night. I have a 2800W Honda genny; that's my personal choice for AC and larger heater use when required. It's the simplest solution for me. You can pickup a sufficient 2000W inverter-generator for your RV for $300+ on sale. Good luck.
One more question, why 200w and a 100w? Is the 200 not enough? I do have a 200 just wondering if I need to purchase the 100. If it’s going to make a difference I will definitely do!
200W will probably be aok and 300W is probably overkill. More wattage gives you a lower probability of ever running out of juice. Id figure 25 amphours/day for the fridge itself.
"Design" for solar is 30 amp-hours/day for every 100W of panel. With light usage I'd estimate using 35ah/day. If youre doing an inverter and using it a lot youll use a lot more than 35 ah/day. 200W with a lithium 100ah battery "should" work well. You can add panels if need be.
Nice install. I scuffed the bottoms of solar panel brackets lightly and where they were going to be placed on trailer roof, washed the scuffed areas with a degreaser household cleaner, then wiped everything off with 90% alcohol and lint free rag to get rid of any finger oils. Then placed turnabond tape over brackets and keep sun / weather off edges of the VHB tape. working great for past 3 years. Look into a victron battery temperature monitor module to tell charge controller when not to send power to battery in too cold temperatures. Mine is set for cutoff temp at +1 degree C.
I didnt go into that deep of detail. Me too.
Ill think about the temp control. I thought the BMS cut it off at 35 anyway tho.
Been waiting months for this type of video…….. many thanks
You're welcome. Enjoy.
Nice!
Nice. What was the black AC plug for?
I haven't gotten that far but its in the inverter box. That plug must be feeding the AC systems that feed off the inverter... when one is installed.
@hankontheroad5960 i bought one with an inverter. The cord is plunged into it. With the batteries fully charged, the inverter on and the cord plugged in, i have no A/C at any plug. I can unplug it from the inverter or plug it into the original place in the bax and nothing changes. It's driving me nuts lol
Ive only heard that just some of the AC systems will run off the inverter. Try asking in the FB Rubicon 1200/1400 group?
@@hankontheroad5960 thanks
@hankontheroad5960 it powers the pop-up power station!
Where did you find the brackets for the panel?
All items have links in the video description.
Note, I towed it 3k miles in January. Everything held up very well.
How much weight does this add to the trailer?
About 50#s I estimate.
I found the hook up on the front had reversed polarity. Was that the case up top as well?
I never tested mine. Don't plan to use it.
Does it have a AC and heater
Iike the 1400bk? If so is the solar power running everything or just your fridge ams lights? I just bought a 1400bk and they told me if I add solar it only runs the fridge and lights, not the AC and heater.
Yes it has AC & Heater.
The battery only runs the 12V systems unless you add an inverter. If you add an inverter in the 1200RK, the pop up power bar gets energized with 110v AC.
Theoretically, you could plug the AC and heater into the power bar, or, re-wire the RV. However, the panels and battery(ies) on such a small RV are not sufficient to run either for any length of time. The energy draw is just too great.
I bought a 350W plug in heater with a thermostat. Once I add an inverter, the setup I have "could" run the tiny 350W heater for a part of the night. Instead I'll buy a lower wattage electric blanket so I can have heat thru the night.
I have a 2800W Honda genny; that's my personal choice for AC and larger heater use when required. It's the simplest solution for me. You can pickup a sufficient 2000W inverter-generator for your RV for $300+ on sale.
Good luck.
@@hankontheroad5960
thank you for the information!!
With the solar panels and the 30amp, can you use the receptacle on the kitchen?
Thank you for this video
No you can't. Please read my lengthy reply to Drewg2030 above.
I get lost with some words but I guess I understand better. The purpose of the solar panels is to keep the 12v battery charged👍
One more question, why 200w and a 100w? Is the 200 not enough? I do have a 200 just wondering if I need to purchase the 100. If it’s going to make a difference I will definitely do!
200W will probably be aok and 300W is probably overkill.
More wattage gives you a lower probability of ever running out of juice. Id figure 25 amphours/day for the fridge itself.
Thanks
"Design" for solar is 30 amp-hours/day for every 100W of panel. With light usage I'd estimate using 35ah/day. If youre doing an inverter and using it a lot youll use a lot more than 35 ah/day.
200W with a lithium 100ah battery "should" work well. You can add panels if need be.