DIY 400 watt Solar Install

[Derek B]

Started installation of solar on Hull 484. Little bit of background information. I purchased a 2019 LE II in April 2024. Although the trailer was not ordered with a solar package it was prewired for solar by OTT during the build and also had the aluminum mounting plates on the roof under the fiberglass. 

Thank you to owners @AndrewK and @carnivore that have completed this before and posted on this forum. @carnivore ran through his install over the phone with me and even provided me with spare mounts he purchased from AMSolar during his install. I would not have had the confidence to start drilling holes into my roof to locate the preinstalled wiring without these owners doing it before me. 

Panels are mounted, just need to complete the wiring on roof and seal around the mounts. Mounts were secured with VHB tape and screws by drilling and tapping into the aluminum plates. I went with 2 - 200 watt panels from Rich Solar for 400 watts total. Ordering a victron solar controller and smart shunt. Will post update when the electrical side is complete.

Edited August 17 by Derek B

[Derek B]

Finished up the rest of my solar install. Went with the Victron 100/50 controller installed under the street side bed. Took the opportunity to clean up this area and made some room for any future upgrades with some PVC sheet I was able to find at local Home Depot.

Also wanted to clean up the battery compartment so I have only (+) and (-) 4/0 cables in there. Forward street side bed under the pantry installed victron shunt and a negative bus bar.

Under rear dinette installed a positive bus bar, battery to inverter cutoff switch and a solar cutoff switch.

Finally installed the MPPT and shunt displays on forward street side cabinet above the dinette. I wanted to leave the area above the radio open in case I decide to install cerbo gx display later.  Had to purchase the longest v.e.direct cable victron offers in order to make this run. The only area I get wires pushed through was from the basement to the rear attic by following close to the AC drain line. I was then able to route the wires across the back of the upper cabinets. 

[Tideline77]

Your work looks very neat and tidy and I look forward to seeing it progress .

which batteries did you choose ?

[Derek B]

1 hour ago, Tideline77 said:

Your work looks very neat and tidy and I look forward to seeing it progress .

which batteries did you choose ?

Thank you. Currently still have the 4 6-volt lead acid that was installed when purchased. I will be watching lithium battery prices over the next few months for deals. 

[jd1923]

3 hours ago, Derek B said:

I will be watching lithium battery prices over the next few months for deals. 

Hard to beat this price and two of these fit nicely in the battery tray. Epoch has a USA10 code now for 10% OFF. Buy direct from Epoch and they charge sales tax and shipping. Buy from this company and get them to honor the Epoch 10% OFF sale. They do not charge tax and shipping. I bought these for $1,798.20 total during their 4th of July sale. Epoch Batteries 12V 300Ah | Heated & Bluetooth | LiFePO4 Battery - Epo – Renewable Outdoors

[Derek B]

@jd1923 thank you, I have been keeping an eye on the prices for these since you did your install post.

[jd1923]

Or if 460AH is enough, a couple regulars here have installed two of these: https://www.litime.com/products/12v-230ah-plus-lifepo4-battery

The 2-pack is $984.58 plus tax, free shipping, on sale for another 30 hours. Though I certainly understand waiting for the right time, as I continue to spend way too much on our Oliver!

Edited September 2 by jd1923

[Derek B]

2 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Or if 460AH is enough, a couple regulars here have installed two of these: https://www.litime.com/products/12v-230ah-plus-lifepo4-battery

Yes have looked at these also from previous owners installs. The 460AH Epoch also seems to be a good deal, although would only have the one battery vs 2.

We will be camping in TN next month for about a week without hookups. They do allow generator use during day. Hopefully this trip will give me better idea of our power needs. All our camping to date how been with full power hookup’s to run the AC 24/7 during these hot months.

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Derek B said:

Hopefully this trip will give me better idea of our power needs.

That's the way to do it. You will see what your amazing new solar installation gives you even with the 6V LA batteries.

I went with two 300s because I knew I wanted at least that much and a third will fit in the battery bay with tray removed. Also, 1-2 more would fit in the basement under the pantry and battery bay. Our goal is all off grid while running an efficient A/C, go to RV parks when needed and not have to connect.

The 460AH Epoch Essentials weighs in 84 LBS and the 58 LB 300A model was enough to carry! Tough to fit an extra 460 if you want more. @rideadeuce just squeezed two 460s in the bay, with no tray, but only the more expensive model with Victron comms will fit. Last year Epoch gave 15% OFF for Black Friday. This timing might be very good for you.

[Ronbrink]

On 9/1/2024 at 3:40 PM, Derek B said:

Under rear dinette installed a positive bus bar, battery to inverter cutoff switch and a solar cutoff switch.

Good meeting you yesterday. I totally agree with @Tideline77’s assessment, good job making use of valuable real estate on the battery box side wall! If memory serves me, @jd1923 got a Renogy 400W portable solar suitcase, which I’m hoping to visit with him about while at the rally. You may want to get up with him to see his super battery setup and even mine if interested in a cheaper alternative with the LiTimes. Later

[Derek B]

Thank you @Ronbrink, Great to meet you as well. Your modifications to your trailer are top notch and enjoyed discussing and looking at your Atmos install. Definitely seems to be another great option for Oliver owners wanting to move away from the Dometic. 
 

I do plan to try and catch @jd1923 while here to talk battery upgrades. LiTime running great sales right now. Still have not seen any price changes for the Epochs. Maybe Black Friday? Will wait it out another month and make a decision. 

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Derek B said:

Thank you @Ronbrink, Great to meet you as well. Your modifications to your trailer are top notch and enjoyed discussing and looking at your Atmos install. Definitely seems to be another great option for Oliver owners wanting to move away from the Dometic. 
 

I do plan to try and catch @jd1923 while here to talk battery upgrades. LiTime running great sales right now. Still have not seen any price changes for the Epochs. Maybe Black Friday? Will wait it out another month and make a decision. 

I will certainly check out @Ronbrink's Atmos today! Sure Derek, stop by site 71 to talk. We're staying at the park today, so will be here or visiting others.

I purchased Epoch during a 4th of July sale. They had just lowered the price from $999 to $899 and had 10% OFF. Last year they had 15% OFF for Black Friday. I went with Epoch to get 2x 300AH. The LiTime will likely continue to be the best price for 2x 230AH. 460AH vs. 600AH is the question, or you can do 1x 460AH Epoch Essentials (2 of the "Essential" model will not fit) as somebody here mentioned, or 2x 460AH and go all out as @rideadeuce did!

[jd1923]

Just checked Renewable Outdoors website where I purchased our Epoch batteries, and they did not charge tax or shipping. Then checked Epoch's website. Both have the 300A Epoch Essential back to the $999 price. Makes me glad I purchased at the right time, but not happy for others wanting to buy now. I would still wait to see Black Friday pricing and discounts since we are just weeks away.

[SeaDawg]

Epoch is getting a lot of traction on YouTube.

 

[rich.dev]

29 minutes ago, SeaDawg said:

 

Epoch is getting a lot of traction on YouTube

 

Yes, I like Tito, also if Will Prowse gives it his rubber stamp of approval it must be good.

 

[SeaDawg]

Yes, we look for will prowse's testing and or teardown first. It was his video test last year that convinced us to order the Epoch 460 for our sailboat. It's been great.

[jd1923]

Good work and clean installation @Derek B!

I can attest re Epoch. During our recent trip we parked at a friend's house in Ruidoso NM and spent two nights in their wonderful king bedroom suite! I generally check SOC and inverter status, Ruuvi temps and every related Bluetooth app 2-3 times a day when camping (not this time).

The Oliver was out of sight, out of mind, as we truly enjoyed our visit. My friend asked if we wanted to plug in when we parked, and I replied, "We'll do it later." and then I forgot. We had the old Dometic absorption fridge on DC for the long day driving there from West Texas and the next two overnights. Forgetting all about it, 48 hours later our two 300AH Epoch Essential batteries were at 4% and 5% SOC according to the Epoch App. Plugged into the house 110V outlet at 5 AM and when we left by noon, we were up over 60% with the charge rate set to a conservative 50A on the Multiplus II (can be configured up to 120A and the Epoch can take an amazing 200A in or out).

I've run ours on purpose down to 20% SOC many times in testing, by running the A/C for 4 hours, our new oven and other AC appliances. I would not think to run brand new LiFePO4 batteries under 10% SOC on purpose, but no apparent issues arose from doing so. We're loving the performance of these batteries!

Edited November 9 by jd1923

[jd1923]

Just received an email today from Epoch. They have 10% OFF for Veterans week! Coupon code: USA10

RV/Van/Camper Batteries - Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) For Superior Safety and Performance

Edited November 11 by jd1923

[Derek B]

2 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Just received an email today from Epoch. They have 10% OFF for Veterans week!

Thanks John, will take a look, the Epochs would definitely be my first choice when switching over to lithium.

[jd1923]

38 minutes ago, Derek B said:

Thanks John, will take a look, the Epochs would definitely be my first choice when switching over to lithium.

This company does not show the 10% discount on Epoch (code USA10). They did on their 4th of July sale. The also have free shipping and no sales tax outside of CO. Epoch has 10% OFF, free shipping but they do charge sales tax in all states. If you call Renewable and get them to honor the 10% by price match, you may get the best price.

epoch - Renewable Outdoors

[jd1923]

Ran across this today. Too bad he did not compare the Epoch Essentails (vs. the high end model with Victron comms) which is more basic like the LiTime battery. He does a good objective comparison:

 

[Derek B]

23 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Too bad he did not compare the Epoch Essentials

Thanks John, yes I think the Epoch essential 460ah at $1299.00 (with likely 10% discount) is a no brainer. I am still hoping the 300ah come down a bit more so with 2 can go 600ah vs 460ah. If they do not will likely just go with the 460. Not sure the extra 140ah is worth the $700.00 price difference. 

[jd1923]

6 hours ago, Derek B said:

Thanks John, yes I think the Epoch essential 460ah at $1299.00 (with likely 10% discount) is a no brainer. I am still hoping the 300ah come down a bit more so with 2 can go 600ah vs 460ah. If they do not will likely just go with the 460. Not sure the extra 140ah is worth the $700.00 price difference. 

If you feel 460AH is enough for your camping lifestyle then yes. Glad we have the 600AH for less worry, though we would have been fine with 460 during our recent 3 1/2 week trip to Texas using more LP at times, less battery.

When we upgrade our A/C to an efficient system and desire to run more hours A/C on inverter, I may add that good deal Epoch 460AH battery, installed under the pantry to get to 1060AH total!!! (Maybe 2026?)

[SeaDawg]

My husband likes the 460 on the sailboat. One set of connections. One battery to worry about.

Me, I'd like a pair of 300s. One goes south, I have a spare. I'm old school. I like a spare.  

 

 

[jd1923]

After getting emails every other day from Epoch and Renewable Outdoors, I thought what the heck, what does the 460AH battery cost on this Black Friday. With 1060AH you could run an Atmos A/C ALL night long (or 2-3 hot afternoons in Arizona)!

I was disappointed to see this vendor now charges sales tax. Whenever I spend $1000 +/- on a big-ticket item, I look for an out-of-state vendor that does not hit the minimums to charge out-of-state sales tax. 😒