Broknfree Solar and Upcycling

Big ones, little ones and everything in between, this weeks job was definately at the big end of the scale. A few months ago we did Stage 1 of a solar install on this bus being converted for full time living by its owners. That involved fitting 6 x 440 watt panels on rails on the roof along with doing as much of the pre wire as possible.
This week it came back for Stage 2. We fitted 2 Victron controllers, a 100/30 and 100/50, a BMV 712 for battery monitoring and to control a switching system to heat hot water once batteries are full. Also fitted a 24/12 dc converter and a 24v/5amp battery trickle charger for the vehicle starter battery. A 5000 watt 24 volt inverter/charger was installed to run the aircon unit and all appliances. The install also included 4 x 300Ahr Allion Lithuim batteries running at 24v giving 600Ahr at 24 volt. Lights, sockets and water pump were all wired in and all COC's and EWOF's issued by registered electricians. We look forward to seeing this when its fit out is finally complete.

After an upgrade with batteries and a shunt a little while ago, these clients said they would 'Dethleffs' ly be back, lol. So this week we swapped out a 250 watt panel for 4 x 200 watt ones, installed a Victron 100/50 controller and a 1600 watt inverter.

Not all upgrades are big with budgets to match. Today was 'Retro Sunday', lol, a 1967 Clipper Caravan. Helping out a young family just getting started on their caravaning adventures who also happens to be our Electrician so always good to keep in sweet with him, lol. Theres scope to add more solar as needs require.

This Coachman required just a small upgrade. We lifted the existing panel to allow for better access for cleaning and give better air flow. Replaced the existing controller with a Victron 100/20 and added a 75/15 controller to run the 200 watt panel we added, giving it a total of 500 watts. A shunt was added for monitoring batteries and a tidy up of existing wiring. Our lovely clients left us with a bag of limes, anyone for a G & T, lol.

A bit of an upgrade on this Jayco replacing the 100 watt panel with a 440 watt one. Put a 100/50 Victron controller in so they have the option to add another panel later if needed, also added a shunt and 2 x 120Ahr Full River Batteries.

Its 'Paramount', lol, to have a solar system to fit the individual owners needs. This upgrade involved swapping 2 x 125watt panels for 4 x 200watt panels, replacing the old controller with a Victron 100/50 amp one, adding a Victron shunt and a 12/30 battery charger and adding some USB chargers. Theres more adventures to be had in this one.

Its Anniversary weekend in South Canterbury this weekend and since we have a vehicle to look at in Twizel we have decided to try our luck at the canals. Before the caravan can be hooked up though the boy scout has to pack the entire contents of his workshop in the ute 'just in case', lol. So if your like us and planning on snaring a salmon or tickling a trout may the weather and fishing gods be on your side, and please leave some fish for us, lol. Enjoy your weekend.

Just for a change we had a VW this week, lol. This one had no solar on it when it came to us so a blank canvas. After discussions with the owner over her needs we put 3 x 200 watt panels on the roof, a Victron 50amp controller, a 800watt inverter, smartshunt and 2 x 120Ahr Full River batteries in. Its now winding its way back to Balclutha where its adventures will begin.

It was another Transit getting a full upgrade this week. We swapped a 140 watt for 4 x 200watt solar panels, put a 50amp Victron controller and a 30amp battery charger in and fitted 2 x 120Amph Full River batteries and a Smart shunt. Also to make backing easier we fitted a wireless backing camera. It now heads back to Invercargill.

One of our jobs this week was an upgrade on a Transit motorhome, the second vehicle we have done for these clients. It involved swapping out an exsisting vent and putting in a Maxxfan Deluxe, and adding 2 x 440 watt solar panels. Inside we fitted a 50amp controller in the old battery box under the step,, Victron 240v/12/30 charger, Orion tri smart dc/dc charger behind the drivers seat, and 2 x 100Ahr Din Lithium LiFePO4 batteries and a Smartshunt under the passenger seat. Now it heads back to Invercargill and new adventures.

Its been a busy start to the week as we slipped back into work mode after our break away. Todays job was a new Jayco that needed a solar upgrade to meet the owners needs. We added a 440watt panel through a Victron 100/30 controller. With the existing 2x 200watt panels that gave them 840 watts. We also fitted a Victron shunt to monitor the battery and an extra 75/15 controller to run an auxillary panel when parked up under cover.

You may have seen on a previous post we had put a solar panel on the back wall of our caravan. While away on holiday recently in the lower South Island we were really impressed with how well it performed. This was due to the sun being a lot lower in the sky and on occassions it was outperforming the panels on the roof. While this is not the ideal angle for summer, it comes into its own in the winter. It may not be everybodys wish or indeed even possible to mount a panel on the back of your rig but the same sort of results can be achieved with a solar blanket. If your living or travelling off grid then capturing as much solar as you can while its there can be of great benefit to you.

After a lovely winter break away in our caravan exploring a few little places we have previously only driven through, we are now refreshed in body and mind ready to get back into work mode. First job is in the starting blocks ready to go into the shed in the morning for a solar upgrade

We have just spent a few days up in the Mavora Lakes in Northern Southland. While enjoying the spectacular scenery and sleep ins it was also great to be able to test out a couple of additions to our caravan. Firstly its great to hear that the powers to be have seen sense and venting of toilet cassettes is no longer required for the new Self Containment Certificate but we will answer a couple of questions we were asked a while ago about our little venting system. Firstly there was no smell from the vent, though it is winter and even smells freeze down here, lol. Secondly there was no splash back or liquids up the venting pipe when the cassette was full and bouncing up a gravel road, lol. But like we said its awesome to hear they are not required.
Our second test was on the effects of the rear mounted solar panel and the benefits of it to our system in the winter. Without bombarding you with screenshots of its performance we were really happy with its output and it often outperformed our roof panels. We will put more on this topic in a later post.

A snap shot at 10.30 am in Lumsden. Our back wall 200w panel producing two thirds of what the 400w roof is at that time. As the day progresses the roof panels will increase then later in the day the back panel will increase again. The back panel is proving its worth in the shoulder parts of the day in the winter

For those interested in our back wall solar panel tests. This is a screen shot of our system at 1pm today. As you can see the 200w on the back wall was producing 9.3amps (131w) while the 400w roof mounted panel was producing 10.3 amps (146w). This is classic example of the low sun angle in the lower south island at this time of the year.

First job this week was an upgrade to this little beauty, lol. Took off 2 x 80 watt and 1 x 150 watt panels and replaced with 2 x 430 watt ones. Fitted a Victron 100/50 controller and Smart Shunt and 2 x 245 AHr 6 volt Full River Batteries. This one nearly fitted all the way in the shed, lol.

TOILETS : We have had a few people express concern over the new Self Containment rules currently in, particulary the venting of toilet cassettes. Theres a misconception among some that everyone will have to have a SOG ventilation system fitted at great exspense to them. Firstly we would like to say please dont panic, this aspect of the new rules is currently under review by the government and associated parties. We would like to think common sense will prevail and this part will be removed from the new rules but in the event it isn't we just want people to be aware there are other options that are simple and cost effective. By all means if you want a SOG system thats fine, but if you are thinking this is the only option and your going to have to sell your organs to fund it then just know you dont have to, lol.
Below are some photos of a simple system Steve has put together which is easily installed and doesnt cost the earth. It utilises a cassette cap with a one way fitting and a hose to a small exterior vent. Many of you may be able to set something like this up yourselves but if you cant we are able to help.
We believe that knowing what options there are and that you have choices should you need it helps reduce the stress out of a situation and empowers you the user.

Edit: This post was never intended to mean one set up was better than another. Just like solar there is no one system that fits all. There are literally 100s of different motorhomes and caravan configurations and depending on the individual rig, what you want to achieve and your budget may determine what variation of a particular system would be needed. This is just one idea to show with a bit of number 8 wire thinking a solution can be found. As we said above we hope that this rule will be removed and we can all get on with enjoying our travels.