25 Comments

I want to add additional solar panel to my coach and want to know if I have to get a new controller

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Generator operation and maintenance, power management/load shedding systems.

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Solar controllers PWM versus MPPT. Solar panel wiring parallel versus series, and how it affects wire size.

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Hello Mike,

The dash air quit on my 1992 Rockwood Class A probably about 30 years ago. I simply use the 4KW Onan generator to run the roof air and it works great. However, the Onan runs on liquid propane and my only source is the ASME tank. I would replace the dead dash air conditioner compressor with an alternator to charge batteries to feed a pure sine wave inverter to run the roof air during hot weather , or electric heaters when cold. .This would eliminate running the generator while traveling. Can two alternators be run in parallel?

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Nearly all of your articles have been of interest to me. I've done the LFP battery upgrade; not interested in solar; pre-check pedestal every time, etc.

The one thing I couldn't solve was checking the coach connections prior to setting up for towing the toad. In the end, I just plugged everything together and it all worked - Yay! Maybe this could be a subject for a future article?

(Background - 2018 FR Sunseeker MBS, 2013 Honda CR-V, Demco Stay-N-Play braking system installed by me.)

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How to test my battery bank and know when batteries need to be replaced. Use of the ohmmeter function of the DVM, esp. what range to use. Is there a way to power my 2-way fridge on the inverter when on the road, so I don't have to use propane.

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We would love to know more how to optimize our energy usage with solar panel and lithium batteries.

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I’d love to see something about generator basics. I am intimidated by them. Want the ability to be able to boondock in the South in all seasons. Trying to get a handle on how they compare to solar and the advantages/disadvantages of one over the other.

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I would like to understand how to upgrade my 12 volt system using lithium batteries and how to add an inverter to the system.

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Battery disconnects, shunts, busbars...definitions, why to use, adv and disadv for use, where to locate in system, examples of use in real systems, maybe with some photos of everything. People use these terms in describing problems and I'm never quite sure what they're talking about.

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how to figure out house battery current charge and how long they can power certain times, ie. residential refrigerator, lights, cpap machine, etc. i have 4 6v lead acid batteries.

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I would like to learn anything about monitoring ac usage. We have a 50 amp trailer and connect mostly to 30 amp pedestals. It seems with Air fryers and all the luxuries in the new RV's it's easier than ever to over use. There needs to be a way to know what we are using and even to the point of load shedding to keep from blowing breakers.

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I've tried to help a few DIY'rs from time to time with their electrical issues. This usualy happens when we are at a remote location and they don't have access to a professional. One of the most common problems were caused by their not knowing basics, such as 1. How to properly use a wire nut, how to attach wires to various connecting points (stripping, crimping, not getting insulation caught under a screw, etc.) I know this is a broad subject, but I think it could save a lot of headaches, and maybe a fire or two.

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The switch is on to 12v refrigerators so I want to better understand what their impact is

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So many people want to upgrade to lithium without understanding all what is needed and a clear understanding of why they want to do it, more a fade than an improvement fir some.

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I want hands on using meters. I know how to use them in theory. But actually using them is another story

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