Fodder
For The
Modder

Project Description:

We try to get off-grid as much as possible and along with better batteries, you need solar panels. On my last trailer I mounted rigid panels with brackets and screwed them through the roof. This worked but I've always wondered if there was a better way.

I have seen projects were flexible solar panels are taped down directly to the trailer roof and it brings to mind two things.
1) How hot does that make the roof membrane and
2) how hot does that make the panel

Because my solar panels are not needed unless we are boon-docking, and to save unneccessary heating effects, I decided to mount the panels with magnets and remove them when not in use and during traveling

NOTE: Not for travelling!

Check back in a while as I would like to add follow-up information

Project Details:

• Install Date:April 2019
• Summary:Easy to attach and no holes drilled!
• Purchase Links:
  4 - 100 watt Solar Panels
  10 gauge extension cabling
  Extra MC4 connectors Renogy controller

Project Description:

Yes you can buy battery powered, heated lawn chairs, but, have you noticed the comments where people complain about how they barely heat?

The issue is that in order to give off a decent amount of heat, you need a decent amount of power. A battery powered chair on enough heat to feel would kill a 5000mAhr battery in less than an hour

The only way to get real heat is to use the heating pads meant for automotive seats and power it off your trailer battery.

These heating pads draw 5 amps at 12 volts (60 watts) and really heat up!

A backing of insulation and black vinyl with gromments added to the existing stitching finish it up nicely.

Project Details:

• Install Date:Mother's Day - May 2019
• Summary:Super hot but watch your battery levels!
• Purchase Links:
  Heating pads - enough to build two seats
  XT60 connectors
  

Project Description:

I had some trouble with my trailer when it was brand new in that the bolts that held the fresh water tank support beam in place had their heads torqued off. The clue that the tank had fallen off the supports was the drain pipe was suddenly very close to the ground

In the process of figuring this out and having the dealer fix it, I spent a fair bit of time under my trailer. During this time I came to notice that because of the water pickup location and the fact that the tank bulges, a full 12 gallons of water is at the bottom of the tank, never used.

Of course, that last 12 gallons is probably what is required for your last day of showering!

This project is to allow the bottom of the tank to be fully used by creating a secondary pickup point using the hose that is normally used to suck up anti-freeze for winterizing.

Project Details:

• Install Date:August 2018
• Summary:Use every last drop of water!
• Purchase Links:
  Supplies from local sources

Project Description:

The LED lighting in the Imagine trailers are great but they are often just too bright!

I added 4 dimmers, two on the main panel for the main lights and the white strip lights on the awning

The other two dimmers are wired at the switches for the bedroom and the kitchen table overhead light

Project Details:

• Install Date:August 2018
• Summary:LED lighting can be too bright!
• Purchase Links:
  ToDo: Add links to dimmers

Project Description:

The fact that a typical trailer panel has four LED's to shown the 12 volt battery status is pretty ridiculous

Not only is showing an accurate voltage important, it is almost as critical to display the current going in or out of your battery.

Although I had the panel custom built (see links below) you can buy the display and mount directly to the wall.

I used a standard Cat-5 cable to carry power on one pair and current sense on a second twisted pair with the wiring routed inside the wall to the cabinet below and then out the bottom of the trailer in front of the furnace.

Project Details:

• Install Date:August 2018
• Summary:Monitoring your battery voltage and current is critical!
• Purchase Links:
  Custom design your own panel with front panel express
  Download my panel design here
  DC voltage and current meter