2nd Solar Panel Added to the Roof

We tested out Libb, our Rockwood GeoPro 15TB, for 10 days at North Bend Campground in Boydton, VA and had 4 days of no sun in a non-powered site. Our LiTime 230ah battery went down to 37% and we decided we needed to add more solar. That was almost a year ago.

Mike researched the options and then researched again. He digested the info over the Autumn as we were traveling a great deal and then he bought the necessary products in the Winter. The month of May arrived, and we were finally in a position that he could install the panel.

Items Used:

Grainger

Strut Channel

Amazon

Go Power! Overlander-E 190W Solar Expansion Kit, Black

Dicor 501LSW-1 HAPS-Free Self-Leveling Lap Sealant for horizontal surfaces – 10.3 Oz, White, Secure, Ideal for RV Roofing, Maintenance, Repair, Appliance Application

Dicor BT-1834-1 Butyl Seal Tape – 1/8″ x 3/4″ x 30′ Repair Tape for RV, Trailer, Motorhome, Window, and Vent Sealing

Home Depot

3/8 in. Nylon Strut Fitting Cone Nut in Gold Galvanized

Self-Tapping Metal Screws and Washers

Process

He got the roof schematics from Rockwood, “Adding a Solar Panel“, and used a stud finder to find the aluminum stud. He marked where they showed on the stud finder. The next morning, he went outside and looked at the condensation on the roof, it is different, where the aluminum is, so this helped verify where the studs were.

He installed the channel on the outside edge of the roof first. It is necessary to clean the roof with alcohol before applying the Butyl tape over the spots where you are adding the screws. Transfer the mark to the tape where the holes need to go. Next, he placed the channel on top of the tape, then drilled the 1 1/2-inch-long self-tapping screws with attached washer into the channel, in the correct spots. Using about 5 screws, 1 every foot. He measured where the other channel needed to be placed taking into consideration the Z brackets location to ensure the location of the 2nd channel. He then repeated the process, installing the other channel, closest to the AC unit. Then he added an abundant amount of self-leveling lap sealant over the screws and washers.

Mike attached the Z brackets that came with the panel to the underside of the solar panel using two small self-tapping screws up into the bottom of the solar panel, this is reverse for the directions supplied. Then lifted the panel on to the roof, ideally with help, me! Ensure it is in the proper location and slide the 3/8-inch strut cone nut into place in the channel under the Z bracket and attach with 3/8-inch hex nuts. Repeat for all 4 locations.

Turned off or disconnect solar. We previously installed a DIHOOL Solar Panel Disconnect Switch under the driver’s side bed. We used the parallel branch connector that came with the solar panel to connect the two panels. Disconnect the existing panel MC4 connections from the RV roof entry port, then plug the positive MC4 connectors from each panel into the same side of the 2 into 1 parallel branch connector. Connect the positive MC4 from the roof entry port to the single side of the branch connector. Repeat with negative. Keep in mind that a parallel connection combines the potential max amp output of each panel while keeping the voltage the same, so you’ll want to make sure you will not exceed the amp rating of your wiring/fuses and solar controller during your planning stage.

We had previously updated our solar controller to the Victron solar controller 100/30.

Turned the solar shut off back on.

The lap sealant requires roughly 48 hours per the instructions before it’s considered waterproof. We had prospect of rain, so we covered them with a tarp to let the gunk dry. 3 days later the rain stopped, we removed the tarp, and the battery had gone down to 68%. The first sunny day after we were back up to 100%. The following day rain again and we were able to test that it was sealed properly.

We leave for our Alaska adventure on Sunday, May 19th. Prep is almost done!! Yippee.

Sebago Lake State Park Campground

We drove up to Maine from Maryland allowing 2 days to get there even though it is normally a day trip. We wanted to make sure that LIBB (Little Itty Bitty Baby, Travel Trailer) had no problems and our TV (Tow Vehicle) did not overheat. Very little traffic and only one slow down from an accident allowed us to keep driving. We ended up stopping in Connecticut for the night and were glad that we had no problems along the way. 

We did not know that there were 2 entrances into the campground. One via a one lane rickety bridge and one way did not. Guess which way we took .... Yup I was scared to cross it with LIBB in tow ... but Mike did not even flinch! I would recommend coming in through Naples. Campground Entrance: Lat 43.929666 / Lon -70.583851; 3 Campground Lane, Naples, Maine 04055

We pulled into our first Maine location at Sebago Lake State Park Campground on May 31, a day early. A 16-day adventure. We were able to get in (first come, first served rule) the extra night in the same spot we had reserved, so no moving required. It was self-check in with an envelope to complete and pay and then be on your way. The road in was paved until the camping sites and then they were dirt and gravel over worn out pavement. Frost heaves and rain wash outs made for a very bumpy ride. Fortunately, nothing came loose inside the trailer. 

We setup LIBB in about 15 minutes and we were cooking our meal when the park ranger, Tom, came and checked in on us. He gave us our camp car pass and gave us the scoop on the local wildlife we might encounter. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard Duck decided to be our guardians and came to visit each day!

 

The campground was overall a great place to stay, some of the sites were a little small and a little close to each other but some were large and more secluded. Bathrooms, gender specific, were close, clean and handicapped accessible, although the cement floor was slippery when wet. They had a separate area for showers that were not gender specific. The showers were warm but not hot, no option to control the temp, but no complaints. They did have 2 shower heads one tall enough for Mike at 6'2" and the other would at kid height. It was a great feature; you could use either way or both at the same time. It felt like getting a lower back massage when on both. The showers turned off after a few minutes, but you simply hit the button and it would start up again. Great way to save water! Picnic table was handicapped accessible as well with a longer overhang on one of the ends. There was the standard firepit area as well which varied by site from a metal ring to a rock enclosure. Boat launch from the section we stayed in was convenient and used by others.  There was also a dishwash station that was large enough to do your items without worrying about dropping them or where to place them. It was convenient for the primitive sites. The campground also sold ice and firewood. Firewood was $8.50 (10 sticks a bundle) at the campground and $5 outside the campground (5 sticks a bundle). No pets allowed.

The views were exceptional. 

We were a few sites down from lake beach and enshrined in beautiful, grand pines. Glad we had full hookups as no sun was getting through those glorious trees to reach our solar panels that charge our battery.

My favorite insects, dragonflies, also graced us with their presence. He was hard to photograph. I wish I had the camera and skill of some of my friends to capture these moments better.

Another Mrs. Mallard with her 10 babies in tow. They would not cooperate and get in the picture at the same time.

Yes, purple sand beaches, is this not my dream spot or what! Purple beaches are caused by the presence of a large amounts of almandine-pyrope garnet or other purple minerals like manganese or rose quartz that have accumulated in the local sediment.

Can't go camping without a fire. 15 days of camping and 13 days of rain. Finally, the rains stopped long enough to have one! Ah, Warmth!

Hiking, plenty of that too. We took leisurely strolls in between the rain and checked out the area. We walked down to the Songo Locks. Of course, it was raining so we did not stay long, and I only snapped a quick photo.

"Songo Lock is the last surviving lock of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, a 19th-century canal in southern Maine, United States. The lock is located on the Songo River, just above its confluence with the Crooked River at the northern end of Sebago Lake State Park in the town of Naples. The lock, built in 1830, is now used primarily during the summer months by pleasure craft. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated as a Maine Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2001."  Taken from Wikipedia

We highy recommend the area!

2023 Fees are based on Maine resident $25/35 and non-resident $35/45 and no hook ups vs hookups.

Sebago Lake State Park Campground

Sebago Lake State Park Campground Map

North Bend Campground

Our first trip away from power, North Bend Campground in VA, a lake state park. 

10 days, 9 nights of camping. 

We charged our battery to 13.6 before left. Drove 4 hours in full sun and the battery was still at 13.6 when we arrived. Parked and set up in 15 minutes. Went down to 13.2 at night at back up to 13.4 each day until the rain came for 2 straight days on day 5. Dropped to 12.9. After sun it went up to 13.0 and the following day to 13.2. 

Day 8 rain again same drop and rise. 

We used the fridge at 1 and it kept our freezer icy and our food and drinks in fridge cold. We used the fan as needed everyday. We used the radio to get the daily news. Charged our USB devices. We used the outside grill with success and the inside burners on those rainy days as well. Tried to use the water and water pump but it just sputtered. We need to figure that out still. 

We stayed in a camp ground with a bath house and a lake! I am thrilled that it made it for 10 days without any loss of use of power. We have the original 190ah solar panel but updated the battery to a 230ah lithium iron phosphate. Made all the difference. Before we could not go for 36 hours on sunny days. 

It was a fabulous 10 days! Can’t wait to get the water fixed and start the next 6 week trip in Maine!

LIBB

Plan B....

Buy a travel trailer.

The past few years I have dreamed of buying a camper, RV, travel trailer, a pickup truck I could sleep in, tiny home on wheels, or converted bus to sleeper...you name it I wanted it so I could travel the US. I no longer wanted to tent camp as it rains wherever we go so I wanted something simple but dry. Basically a hard sided tent.

After the depressing experience of trying to buy a house I decided it was time. Mike and I have been looking at them for the past 2 years online, at camper shows and visiting RV dealers to narrow down our choice and decide what would fit our needs the best. We did not want something too big that we would need a new vehicle to tow it nor too big for me to feel comfortable towing it. Mike has no problem with towing but I am skeptical in my abilities. We needed the camper to be less than 4,500 lbs. so our vehicle with a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. would not struggle. 

There are so many different types of campers that your mind can spin with the options: Class A Motorhome, Class B Motorhome, Class C Motorhome, Travel Trailer, 5th Wheel, Toy Hauler, Teardrop Trailer, Truck Camper, and Tent Camper. We decided on a travel trailer and so we then had to select a floor plan. This is a daunting task and was hard to do for us because one of us is super picky about housing. Yeah that would be me, Nancy. We needed to consider Mike's height so he can actually stand inside the unit. We needed to consider the bed layout...do you want to crawl over each other or have your own access. Consideration of bathroom possibilities is also a factor. As we are used to tent camping this was not a huge issue for us. We know how to dig a hole and go but if we are buying a travel trailer they come with a bathroom. Also kitchen layouts.

While looking at campers they are full of acronyms so a notebook came in handy in the beginning so we knew what a 15TB meant versus a 18BH, 19DS or a 25RB. The number usually means the length. The letters mean different things: kitchen, bed, bath or slide layouts.

• BH Bunk House 
• DS Dinette Slide
• RB Rear Bath
• TB Twin Bed

Once you decide on the type of camper then you need to decide on the manufacture of the style you want. These are the top 4 companies: Thor Industries and Forest River hold the majority of the market. Winnebago is third and REV Group is the last of the 4. These 4 manufacturers own the RV brands that you might have heard of or if you were like me learned all this in the last few years as I researched travel trailers. For instance Thor owns Airstream, Dutchmen, Coleman and Jayco while Forest River owns Coachmen, Rockwood and Forest River.

We decided on Forest River who bought out Dynamax in 2011. It was between the Rockwood GeoPro and the Flagstaff E Pro. Both come off the same assembly line and there is no visual difference that I could find between the 2. We compared specs and they seem to be the same. The price was not the same though with the Flagstaff coming in a few $1,000 more. 

We tried out the Rockwood GeoPro G15TB, testing it for size, in Maine: could Mike stand up in it, stand in the shower, stretch in the bed, etc... and decided it was a go. We looked online and found last years model (brand new) in a dealership in MD in the town next to my brother. It was significantly cheaper than a new 2023. 

15 means that is is 15 feet inside with an exterior length of 16'4" and TB means twin beds which can be converted into a king bed. The ceilings are 6'3" or 4" because Mike can stand! It has a European bathroom meaning small and tight, you sit on the toilet to shower. Has kitchen sink, fridge and freezer, 3 propane cooking burners, microwave, AC, outdoor shower, awning, 3 windows and a ton of storage. It is also a walkable travel trailer which means we can push and pull it manually to get it into tight spots.

We drove down from Maine to Maryland and bought LIBB! (our Little Itty Bitty Baby). Our new home!!