2016 Coachman Clipper in Durham, NC

Electrical

The diagram below explains the electrical connections of the trailer. It includes all the main elements except details of the 12 volt system. That system is standard.

Solar Panels

The roof holds three 315Watts QCell Solar Panels. The panels are attached using four stainless hinges each to an 2x4 aluminum rails. The rails are attached to the roof using stainless hardware and are attached to the roof beams. The roof connections are all sealed.

Victron Equipment

The trailer is equiped with a Victron MPPT 100/30 to charge the battery from the solar panels. If you want to charge the battery directly from shore power you can use the Victron Charger 24/12 to charge the battery from AC. To power the Mini Split when in a place without AC power, you can use the Victron Inverter 24 /1200VA.

To control and visualize power production, battery status and electrical system status, the trailer has a Victron VenusOS running on a Raspberry Pi 4. The VRM portal can be checked at this link.

Solar Operation

The solar panel production can be used to charge the battery, by directing the power to the Victron MPPT charger or can be used to offset your AC power usage by directing the power to the Enphase M250 inverters. The Enpahse M250 micro inverters will automatically shutdown when there is no grid power, so they are safe for operation, but it is your responsibility to make sure you are compliant with the Electrical code and your utility rules for solar power (First picture below).

The Enphase M240 micro inverters needs to be connected to your house, but a cable that is included with the trailer. It does require a 240V Split phase line with 2 hots, a neutral and a ground wire. Notice that this line is only used for the solar production and it is not connected to any of the AC circuits on the trailer. To power the trailer use the trailer AC plug (Second picture below)

The solar panels are attached to the trailer roof, by a pair of hinges on each side. The hinges on the right side of the panel are locked in place by screws, so the hinge pin can't be removed, but in the left side (drivers side) the hinge pin can be removed and the panel lifted to provide a different angle to the sun.

Each solar panel has a fuse and there is an AC breaker as illustrated on the diagram above. (Second row of pictures below)

To be able to monitor the solar production while using the Enphase M250 you will need a Enphase Envoy S controller. A blinking green light on the M250 micro inverter indicates power production (more details on the manual)

Solar Panel Switches

The Solar Panels can be switched between charging the battery (Upper position), off (Middle position) or micro inverters (lower position).

The left most switch activates the AC Inverter and switch the mini split power to the Inverter.

AC Solar Output Cable

This cable connects the Enphase M250 Micro Inverters with your grid, behind the meter. You need to have an Enphase Envoy S to see power production and be legally connected to the grid.

This connection provides a split phase 240 volt connection with ground and neutral. It does not power the trailer.

Solar Panel Hinges

The solar panels are attached to a rail using 4 stainless hinges. The locking pin on the left side of the trailer can be easily removed to lift the solar panel at a different angle.

AC Breaker Panel

Control the shore power of the trailer and AC circuits

DC 12 Volt Panel

Protection for all the 12 volt circuits and devices

DC 24 Volt Panel

Control the 24 volt devices, like the fridge, 12v step down converter, USB ports and the Raspberry PI 4

Solar AC breaker

This breaker is a safety device for the Solar AC power provided by the Enphase Micro Inverters

Solar Panel Fuses

Protect the solar panel DC circuit

Shore AC Power meter

Tells you the shore power usage.

AC Breaker Panel

DC 12 volt Panel

DC 24 volt Panel

Solar Fuses and breaker

Warnings

Please take the following precautions:

The power for the emergency electrical breaks cames from the 24 volt battery, through the 24 volt to 12 volt ste down device. It is important to have the battery turned on during travel with the trailer.
When turning on the battery, make sure that the 12 volt disconnect switch is disconnected. There is a know problem that prevents the battery from starting if the switch is connected. After the battery is turned on, you can switch the 12 volt system back. Explanation of the issue is here. (pic of switch)
It is your responsibility to make sure that you are following all the rules when feeding AC power to your house by using the Enphase M250 micro inverters. The inverters can only be used with a grid and will not work on a off grid mode, as they don't have the capability to form a grid.

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