Adding Solar Panels to an Aliner PT II

[@herbclark2476]

Another great video! I always look forward to your videos. I am 79 and my wife is battling cancer so me getting a trailer like yours is slowly going the way of the wind. Keep up the good work!

[@oldschooldiy3240]

Prayers

[@stewmiller778]

I have designed industrial and mining equipment. But I always had a machine shop behind me to build my designs. Your ingenuity with hardware store materials never ceases to impress me.

[@lightning4871]

Your engineering skills are amassing!

[@deuceaid6868]

Hello from a fellow person that likes to build and reinvent. Just wanted to say thanks, I have enjoyed many of your videos, once I get back on the road it would be cool to meet up and buy you a beer, even if only for your stove and vent ideas. Thanks.

[@weswalker1208]

These type of videos are quickly becoming my favorites. You should have been an engineer. You take a durable practical solution shareit and it can be duplicated. There's absolutely no reason why this exact array could not be used on other trailers and vans. Normally when an RV pulls in there looking for shade that does not work with solar. I'm also impressed with your ability to move it. I wished I had seen this before I saw your trailer

[@tackyman2011]

Always good seeing good old (I think we must now say) *North* American ingenuity. Yer giving me the itch to travel, Slim. And of course, get my own A-Liner.

[@firstlast9184]

tackyman2011 Here here, I have never considered an A frame until I started viewing ol' Slim here! Now I think about it all the time. Sure seems nice.

[@harley9218]

Just amazing how you come up with such simple but novel modifications. Well done.

[@cyberi4a]

It's amazing how your mind works to think of these things.

[@KenPics63]

Slim, you seem to have a terrific sense of humor, so I am going to give you a compliment wrapped in some good-natured ribbing. You are the KZbin King of RV/ A-Liner videos, if not all KZbin Videos. The subject matter, the ingenuity, photography, cinematography. Wow! But I do doubt that you are clairvoyant or a modern-day Nostradamus. As I write this, it is May 2018 (the month when this video was posted), but in this video at the 2:50 Mark, you show the date as December 2018. How did you have the foresight to know that 7 months from now, you would be making this video for your many KZbin groupies? TIA (Thanks In Advance), in case you don't see this until 7 months from now. Haha! Thanks so much for all of your hard work making these helpful videos! This might be my favorite tech offering so far.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi KenPics63, Got caught me! Yes, I made a mistake as it was December 2017 not 2018. The good thing is 7 months from now nobody will notice! SP

[@davidstroud4747]

I've just lost a week by discovering the RV channels. I dipped into others but then got hooked on yours: erudite, articulate, and edifying; well prepared (usually) and beautifully edited. I binged and never turned on the TV all week. I look forward to the next episode. If I may comment as an ex motorcaravaner and current landlubber, I believe your solar panel problem may be down to wind erosion. We don't have deserts and dustbowls over here in the UK, yet we are all within fifty miles of the coast and sand and wind, so we know what it can do to our glass and paintwork. May I suggest that you take a cue from what you did with your desk top. Try duct-taping a sacrificial layer of plexiglass over your panels; easily replacable, or reversable if it you feel it too much of a sap on input. Just a thought from a solar greenhorn. Likewise, your experiment with your portable foldout unit with the snow as a reflector was another good idea not fully realised. Try setting the panel on the edge of a laid out space blanket. That should boost your input and keep the panel out of the mud. Keep on rolling, and thanks for the TV vacation.

[@JimRobb44]

I appreciate your ingenuity!

[@krafty65]

Nice setup! Excellent improvement for following the sun. Very clever!

[@edkruckenberg1575]

Very clever. Nice job Slim.

[@cherylkuhn8788]

You're amazing at all the things you can fix!!!

[@billping2633]

Slim your videos are a excellent! They are a perfect balance of how to and nature videos. Thank you for all your both.

[@oldschooldiy3240]

Outstanding job reworking the latches!

[@johnnewsom4316]

Excellent job Slim. Thanks for sharing. I love your videos man.

[@andygrayson7485]

Nice un-compilcated solution, as you said its a shame the manufacturers don't look at things in the same way, but you seem to enjoy designing the things that you need to work well. Maybe a move into manufacturing A-Liners ??? You Know we don't have these here in the UK, just trailer tents, that seem to be more hassle to put up. Well Done.

[@wesleymcgonagle6653]

G’day Slim, i am new to your channel and it’s awesome... I have been binge watching your videos and to be honest i think you’ve convinced me into looking at upgrading to an Aliner... I have a different setup than yours and it involves a lot more set up (Rooftop Tent). But i usually setup base camp and do my exploring of the surroundings from there. It works for me 80% of the time when the weather is good and I’m not camping just for one night. But the ease at which you setup and take down camp with the Aliner is impressive. Keep up the good work and happy exploring.

[@hp858]

Nice video, glad you showed up on my feed. Also like your choice in beers, my favorite too!

[@homeofmyown]

Your design work is genius.

[@loreneknight9755]

Lordy, Slim, you are a thinker!!! Do you lie awake @ night thinking about how to improve stuff? It seems your brain is like the everready bunny. Way to be creative with sooo many things. Thanks 4 sharing your life travels, Slim.

[@TJVergerII]

I enjoy all of the wonderful places you visit and camp at. Have you ever thought of obtaining your Amateur Radio license? Broadcasting for your great locations would really be an adventure.

[@rufusearl9475]

You must of worked in a maintenance department for a manufacturing company. Or mechanical engineer, using words like "continuous improvement" reminds me of where I work. Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizan all those phrases that are the trends now. Keep up the fantastic videos, I appreciate them.

[@firstlast9184]

Another great video, Slim. You are quite industrious and creative. I really admire that. I think you could market that solar contraption. There are surely many others that would find that useful. Food for thought anyway, and I always find you thoughtful. Thank you for your generous contributions to the rest of us. I am encouraged to start a few projects of my own. Thanks again.

[@davethedoginist]

Good flick Slim. Your mind never stops

[@rrr_rozell7992]

Hey! I love my bubble windows! hahha I have seen a youtube channel install solar working around them. I dont boondock myself right now but I can see the usefulness of panels. thanks for sharing!

[@MsKraftee]

Very timely video, Slim. I FINALLY got my a-frame. Yippee! It's an older Chalet and, unfortunately, it does have those horizontal bubble windows on both roof sections. One thing I didn't thoroughly check out was the charge controller - oops. I'm probably going to have to replace it. I need to figure out what to get since I do plan to add solar (probably will be a project for next winter). The previous owner used solar but just hooked it directly to the battery. I do want to thank you, Slim. Your videos gave me the courage to buy an older model. I'm looking forward to fixing it up and incorporating some of your ideas.

[@MsKraftee]

Remind me again how many watts each panel is? Also, your metal brake - is that a "Slim design" or did you buy it? Seems like a nice, simple setup for bending small pieces of aluminum.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Congratulations on your Chalet! I'm sure you'll have great fun with it. You definitely need a controller for your solar or risk damaging your battery. They are cheap ($20). Have fun sprucing it up! SP

[@SlimPotatohead]

100W each panel. The term "watts" is sometimes very misleading (will go into that later) as it really doesn't tell you what the actual energy you will generate in true life conditions. The brake was a cheap chinese product (but effective). Thanks! SP

[@taylorbarton9847]

Another winning Helpful video!

[@maxxron]

If you know that you are going to flip the solar panel to the other side in the evening, I would go ahead and flip the legs before laying it flat for mid-day use. That way, the legs are already in the correct position without having to open, flip, close, and open from the other side. Same thing at night. I will assume that you lower it at night in case the wind gets up. Go ahead and flip the legs for use in the morning before lowing and locking it down. The extension cord is a double good idea because you don't have the power loss over the extra length of the cable that you do not need if you are not going to remove the solar panels. Now you have me looking for my own Aliner!

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Ron, good advice Thanks! SP

[@jimkonst]

Re: your observation about the lack of interest in solar power by the manufacturers, I bought a 2019 Rockwood A-frame and found that it is pre-wired for solar, although no other provisions were made. Perhaps the demand is not sufficient. Thanks for your videos.

[@NewtonWashinton]

Good video Slim, you're quite the innovator. Also a beautiful back yard

[@jasonwitters7860]

Very clever. Beautiful location.

[@sueg2658]

Ingenious! I love your videos. Well done professor!

[@patrickhotra9241]

Damn clever. I's too bad that the manufacturers don't have your ingenuity.

[@dumluk1984]

Nicely done, Slim. Thx for sharing.

[@vonrollveeg]

Very creative! I like it.

[@jimco9754]

Thanks Slim

[@kawaikui]

Wow, ingenious!!! Patent Pending(??) ... and when will you begin production, LOL :D) I enjoy your excellent ideas and DIYs and always look forward to what you'll come up with next. Thanks again, Mr. Slim ... happy adventuring.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Thanks tsuki!

[@WildCaptures]

I like the custom aluminum hole guides, was wondering how you were able to hit the far end hole so easily. Nice work Slim👍🏻

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Steve B, Practice! I did realize however it was hard to do in the wind, so added the guides later to make it easy. Thanks!

[@blackincawston]

You are a genius!!!

[@paulbearbradford2498]

Thanks, very informative

[@timfarness5136]

Very nice design. I will be waiting to hear why your pannel failed the flexible ones make sense to me in many applications but I have read they fail more often. Happy travels.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Tim, I am still preparing my report on this. Could you be kind enough to tell me the source of the article you cited on panel failure (no links please as the get blocked). It would be very helpful to me. Thanks!

[@timfarness5136]

There wasn't any articles. It was on a forum we're someone said Renegy stopped selling their flexible pannels due to failures or issues. I don't remember we're I read that sorry.

[@Scott_B1029]

I saw an Aliner on the road the other day. If it wasn't for you I'd have assumed it was a tent camper.

[@UncleBuckle50]

Thanks Slim!

[@elijahmonn3757]

You are very clever. I'm installing a normal solar panel on the roof of my Aframe caravan. The roof is made from aluminum and is very flexible. I was thinking about how to over come the flexibility with gluing the holding bracket straight to the roof . I stubbled across your video and I will do the same as you. Running aluminum strips from top to bottom. And fixing the panel to that frame. I'm not going to have them able to be removed or tilted. Although I admired your skills in doing this. You never mention why you placed the controller on the outside of the caravan? I think I'm going to place it inside by the battery unless you have a good reason not too. I'm just being lazy so I don' t put the controller in a water tight box. Cheers and thanks, Brent

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Elijah, the reason I put the controller on the outside is for portability. Like the suitcase style panels, the advantage is having all energy-producing components together is you can use a remote battery and get power anywhere. If this is not something you need, then definitely put the controller inside, as it's better protected in there. Thanks, and good luck with your project! SP

[@AdventureswithJane]

Nice, good food for thought. I have two panels on a small TT, currently fixed, but kicking ideas around for some tilting provisions. Good ideas here! 😊 --Mark

[@karenr67]

You are very handy and clever.

[@stellarhodes4162]

So clever! I bought a 2012 Aliner, yay! Will be adding flexible panels as soon as possible. Thank you for your excellent videos. Your photography, especially in your nature videos, is yummy. You must be a professional photographer?

[@rboydsmith1]

You are so handy and creative. Are you related to my Hamilton buddy Red Green?

[@AllenManor]

Really enjoy your videos, keep it up!

[@FrayAdjacentTX]

I got a flexible panel for my a-frame... just one, since I have a generator. I'm going to just use velcro on the roof so I can take it off in transport, and quickly slap it on while it's put up. Most of my camping will be several days in one place for paramotor fly-in events. I'm going to one in Kansas next week. I should be on site for up to 6 days! Hopefully it all works out well, and I'll enjoy staying in my a-frame. I do need to get the spoiled egg smell out of the fridge... I accidentally left some eggs in the fridge for a few months! Eww!!

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Matthew, velcro would certainly work and be much less effort than my rig. It is a good idea to keep the panels off the roof when not being used for periods of time. Most new flexible panels have metal grommets as well so you can strap them in place as well. Enjoy your trip, sounds like a blast! SP

[@SlimPotatohead]

Any tips on camping in Kansas? It's on my hit list! SP

[@TJVergerII]

Always enjoy your videos. Great editing and high quality. Tells us about the batteries you use in your solar system ? They look maintenance free and no gasses to be concerned with. Would one have do the job?

[@sturg1s1]

Quite crafty

[@JamesHill-cj4fn]

Would really love to own a Aliner Alite,but they are not available in the UK.

[@doctor294]

Молодец мужик! Отлично придумал и сделал!

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Clever stuff. Thanks!

[@rubberdiscoduck]

I stand corrected. I was referring to high winds shaking the roof. I seen a picture of a a-liner with the roof pulled off

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Scott, could you please share the source of that photo? I've only found rumors but no evidence of a real incident. Thanks!

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Scott, I think I found it: members.ozemail.com.au/%7Eekthomas/wind.html. Is this the one you were referring to? I have been looking for years! It doesn't give me any specific clues as to why it happened, but it least proves it did happen. Thanks!

[@elijahmonn3757]

Hi Slim, I would imagine that it would have happened when they opened up the roof and the back of the A liner was facing the wind. The wind I think would have caught the front panel and would have thrown it forwards. I own a New Zealand version. I believe the first A frame caravans made? This was a problem for the NZ versions. The son of the inventor of the caravan said they had to repair one once before because of the above happening. He said in a windy day to always raise to roof with the front of the caravan facing the wind. As you can guess I love the design of these great campers :) Cheers, again Brent

[@brmelectric]

Great video Slim. I guess with your set up you have to always back into south facing, to allow you best coverage for full day of sun.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Actually just the opposite. With tilting panels I can now face south, east or west and still get direct solar from the sun. With the 20 foot extension I can also face north and lean the array on the other south (opposite) side. My original design was south facing only. Thanks!

[@brmelectric]

I see. Well I look fwd to see how they are keeping you powered up on your nxt video. Expecially on a near depleted battery bank.

[@rickhobson3211]

Place has been grazed to death by cattle. XD Beautiful scenery and informative vid though!

[@suelikochiss7933]

You are so brilliant!!!

[@wanger0690]

Ingenious!!!

[@shoeshow1999]

I like the way your brain works. I did see one of the companies offered a small solar panel (I think something like 40 watts) on their A frame. You said you had experienced very high winds in your camper. Did the camper rock a lot? Thanks for the videos.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Jerry, could you please tell me what A-frame offers panels? (No links as they get blocked). Thanks. At 40-50mph winds the trailer shakes and howls a little. Pointing the trailer into the wind helps.

[@shoeshow1999]

On You Tube type in princess craft aliner ascape walk through with princess craft. She says it comes with a 40 watt solar panel. On another video the company said they were putting solar connection in their units. Have a good day.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Jerry, unfortunately the Ascape is a teardrop-style trailer and not an A-frame. Guess they still haven't figured a way to include it on a fold-up yet. Hopefully they will soon. Thanks!

[@elijahmonn3757]

Hi Slim, I think the Australian version A liner, made in Australia. Has solar panels added from factory. The New Zealand the company (Southern star) that made A frame caravans early 70's to early 80's made 550 in total, 200 were sent to Australia. No solar back then though :) Cheers, Brent

[@cynho3093]

you are amazing!

[@myronbenware7960]

Good job.

[@erinnrunning2936]

Thanks for all your great videos! Is it possible to run a refrigerator and a microwave on solar power?

[@SlimPotatohead]

Yes. I do run a fridge right now on solar. Microwaves can be power pigs and need an inverter, doable but not as practical. Thanks! SP

[@tomoconnor8431]

Love your channel

[@srameypr]

Where were you in the opening scene? The landscape is gorgeous!

[@SlimPotatohead]

Just outside Glacier National Park in Montana.

[@danachim5932]

Ciao, have you considered put them on the bottom part side by side for easy acces? for what i see you have enough space for three pieces side by side on bottom part and two more hinged on the sides. is it too much weight on the nose? you can balanced them with the batteries maybe here s an advantage putting them all independent , You may have them tilted wit single lifting bar in the middle, maybe i am explain this wrong .... well all in all your lifestyle is very apeeleng to me. maybe in a few years..... i also have a RV is a Hobby 495 deluxe pulled by a 130HP B5 Passat

[@arjnsdca]

You’re so clever!

[@xv9dl]

Solar is great, but don't most people know that the 7 pin connector from the tow vehicle can carry charging voltage for the Aliner battery? You can drive an hour and the Aliner battery is charged when you arrive. You can also start the tow vehicle engine for a few minutes and have a topped up Aliner battery. I have solar panels installed on the roof rack of my Jeep Wrangler. I built a 20' trailer power cord extension that fits the 7 pin trailer plug. I can park the Aliner in the shade, but the Jeep in the sun, charging via the 7 pin extension cord. The cord only carries the ground and positive charging voltage. You don't need all the brake and turn signal circuits.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Chuc, the best part of having solar on a fold-up trailer is that you never have to worry about draining the battery of your tow vehicle. It also means the trailer itself is charging when the tow vehicle is not around. Your cord extension is a good idea and would be useful at night or extreme cold. Thanks! SP

[@xv9dl]

@@SlimPotatohead Sure, panels on the Aliner help too. I think I need to have them there as well. The panels on the Jeep can charge both the Jeep battery and the Aliner battery at the same time. The Solar controller, a Morningstar Sunsaver Duo, isolates the batteries from each other. No danger of the Aliner draining the vehicle battery. So many trade-offs when designing these things.

[@dalethorburn6626]

Hi Slim - You are a great promoter for the A liner. Please tell me how tall you are? Obviously I'm wondering does size mater in this rig? I'm a big guy but like you, my travel thoughts are to be able to access out of the way places in some rough country settings.I like your DYI on solar.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Dale, I just met a fellow Aliner traveler who was 6'7" tall, so I think it can handle almost any height. Thanks! SP

[@darylphipps8663]

Great video....question. What is the box your solar controler is in? Like to one like that. But I dont recall ever seeing one like that.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Daryl, Product links can be found in the video description. Thanks!

[@billleland957]

Slim, you've got skills. The C-clamp caught my eye when you were bending metal, did you make your own brake? If so you keep amazing me.

[@rubberdiscoduck]

Good stuff, thanks

[@henkjankaalverink4157]

Galvanized latches on a roof ??

[@dontazz2003]

What was the blue glaze.?

[@rubberdiscoduck]

Getting away from solor panels. Have you ever had to deal with high winds out camping and how did you tackel it in the a frame

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Scott, does that mean you've got wind power?!? Have a look at my "Desert and the Artist" video. It starts with a wind storm. Thanks!

[@elijahmonn3757]

The design of the A frame means they are great in the wind. I have never had any issues. You just have to be careful raising the roof in high wind.

[@bigmac3006]

Great Vid!

[@bubbabubberson2702]

Anyone else with headphones on notice the strange, faint whistling in the left channel at 0:26? Right as and after Slim says "resources," it's as if someone faintly whistles something like a cockadoodledo. I'm guessing it was an actual rooster crowing, but strange all the same.

[@averagealice8877]

Hope you don't mind a couple of questions: Any links to your plano box? I'm having difficulty finding one like that! Also are you able to charge your batteries with the solar while you're on the road? And I'd love to know where you're camped at the opening of the video (no GPS coordinates - just a general area). Good video and your cable system is truly ingenious!!

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Alice, The plano box came from Cabela's. If I find a link I will add it to the description. Yes, I do charge the batteries as I travel, which is why I prefer this concept to suitcase style systems. The opening shot was just outside Glacier National Park in Montana. Thanks!

[@SlimPotatohead]

Here's the box: amzn.to/2Ik7wVD

[@averagealice8877]

Slim Potatohead Awesome, thanks!

[@noniemcd]

Does the solar panel charge when you are on the road and the Aliner is closed?

[@SlimPotatohead]

Hi Nonie, Yes it does. The panels are charging whenever they have light. Thanks! SP

[@Judy-cm6kp]

How is you so good at these designs? Are you an engineer?

[@ObamaoZedong]

Does relying on solar power prevent you from staying in the forest where trees block most of the direct light?

[@SlimPotatohead]

Good question, thanks. If you typically camp in dense forest (some do it to keep cool), there are a couple of options. One is to move your Solar array into an area of sunlight. My rig can move 20 feet by an extension cable. If farther away you would need a portable battery store power from a more remote location. A little too much bother for some. Finally, you will get some power in shade. I typically get 3 amps in shade. This could still be enough to keep the battery charged if you conserve on appliance use. Thanks! SP

[@ramona14220]

Rolling Rock? You're Canadian! Even in Buffalo we drink Labbat's!

[@SlimPotatohead]

Sad is it is, the other beers at the Bisbee gas station were even worse. Colored water! SP

[@MsKraftee]

I keep waiting to see you with a can of Molson Canadian 😉 When I lived just south of Canada, I got TV stations that had Canadian ads. It seems like Molson was the only beer commercials I saw (this was quite a few years ago - prior to having cable TV).

[@ramona14220]

Let me guess, BudBudliteMillerMillerliteCoorsCoorsliteandMexican beer where the bottle levels are un-even. Maybe you can do a video on a tap system in an A-Liner with a 1/4 keg of the good stuff. You work to hard to drink cheap beer. Happy travels!

[@jph2329]

You should build campers.

[@jimb5113]

After searching about your batteries I find more confusion. You say here you added two deep cycle batteries with the solar panels. Good. You also currently say you have two different kinds of batteries and you added a battery shutoff switch/isolator. I had questions about your batteries but I guess it got lost. You have two style batteries charged by one solar array. Did that confuse your new controller? You have two style batteries and it seems your battery load is unbalanced so need uneven charging so how does the solar array and controller work solving that design? If you use one battery for the new refrigerator and the other for computer, camera, electronics, that has uneven loads and style of power needed. Does that even include any 110V power or do you only have need for 12V? I can see your new battery switch changing from one battery to the other for charging but still, does the two style batteries and the new charger work good? Seems old technology and new technology might have conflicts. Do they? Did they? Also, your two batteries in this video do not match batteries in others. Other battery problems?

[@SlimPotatohead]

Jim, so many questions! For batteries use a deep cycle, an agm, and a third option I will be announcing soon. Thanks, SP

[@jimb5113]

@@SlimPotatohead - I'll be watching for it. Thanks.

[@rccomo1144]

👍👍

[@pagewhite61]

Riveting as always (see what I did there?!) Seriously though, so creative and interesting to watch. Thank you.

[@elodyer8427]

How much you spend?

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

Dood paint your garage floor with some epoxy paint. It looks cool.

[@jenmallory73]

genius

[@rareview362]

December 2018? You're from the future?

[@secondact7151]

Lol. I saw that as well, but it didn't click until now. Plus I thought, Canada, where is the snow?

[@rickhobson3211]

You dont know why they don't put panels on campers? Heck... every house built should have panels on the roof IMO!

[@chriskystoneadventures]

👍👍🌟🌟🌟🌟👍👍

[@brandonlee979]

You'll have no problem adapting when the Zombie apocalypse arrives...

[@seanuptown3222]

engineering