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Old 10-11-2019, 09:09 AM   #481
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I'm currently using a marine battery bank switch to manually control a connection between banks, but I have been planning to replace it with an esp32, voltage sensors, and a big solenoid to connect them automatically in the future. My experience is also that solenoids fail open.

I know you know this Josh but for the OP's info:

If you are switching between two battery banks using a single charge controller you may want to make sure that your battery switch is "make before break" .

A "break before make" variety will leave your charge controller without battery while your your panels are still connected. This can make your charge controller very unhappy.

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Old 10-11-2019, 09:40 AM   #482
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Marine switches are pretty universally make before break. Pretty much any switch that goes in order 1 - All - 2 - Off will be. It's just a lot easier to make them that way, they are very primitive devices!
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Old 10-11-2019, 09:58 AM   #483
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Marine switches are pretty universally make before break. Pretty much any switch that goes in order 1 - All - 2 - Off will be. It's just a lot easier to make them that way, they are very primitive devices!
Yup. Just wanted to forwarn the OP that there is a right one and a wrong one. I replaced one for a gent a few months ago.

He had an RV dealership install one and his charge controller started going nuts. Charge controller was loosing battery for a moment when he switched. Panels remained connected.
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Old 05-31-2020, 11:17 AM   #484
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Another step closer. My son came and helped to mount the solar panels. The original luggage rack was exactly the right width. It was two rails tall and with a little cutting and welding the top rail went forward to mount the front two panels.

I did repaint the roof after I took this photo.





1530W, still have to finish the wiring but, this is the part I couldn't do by myself.
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Old 05-31-2020, 11:20 AM   #485
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That luggage rack was a real find.
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Old 05-31-2020, 11:23 AM   #486
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that came out great!!! helps with shade too!! win-win
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Old 05-31-2020, 01:45 PM   #487
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Very nice looking job!


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Old 05-31-2020, 02:00 PM   #488
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Looks like it belongs. Very professional (like all your work)!

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Old 06-09-2020, 08:11 AM   #489
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I was having a problem loosing my mice. They would fall into the trash so, I made them a nice little nest.

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Old 06-09-2020, 09:41 AM   #490
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cool deal.. I need to make something that for my Office phone.. it likes to vibrate over to the edge and either fall off or the receiver does..
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Old 07-24-2020, 07:41 AM   #491
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Made some new LED light fixtures.

Top left is walnut, right is pine, bottom right is cheap plastic original fixture.

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Old 07-24-2020, 09:02 AM   #492
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Made some new LED light fixtures.



Top left is walnut, right is pine, bottom right is cheap plastic original fixture.



Woodworking warms the soul. Great job!
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Old 07-24-2020, 09:35 AM   #493
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these rock!! love the top left the best! modern yet rich!
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Old 07-24-2020, 03:50 PM   #494
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Made some new LED light fixtures.
Great minds think alike. I had a friend machine a couple of these this week on his ShopBot. Going to use them to mount a pair of off-road lights into my front bumper cut-outs.
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Old 07-24-2020, 11:11 PM   #495
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Just wanted to say awesome build. I appreciate all the time effort and energy that has gone into this. Not always my style, but the attention to detail and craftsmanship is undeniable. Bravo.
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Old 08-19-2020, 07:52 AM   #496
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I'm working, finally, on finishing the ceiling. I made two of these. This is my second design first one worked well for many years. I just wanted them to match. Frame is walnut, fan is one of the 10 inch radiator cooling fans. I added a speed control and reversing switch.



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Old 08-30-2021, 09:05 AM   #497
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Made a new ID tag, mounted beside front door.

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Old 08-30-2021, 10:15 AM   #498
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Made a new ID tag, mounted beside front door.
That looks awesome! How does one make something like that? I'd like to have one for potentially skirting RV parks' 10-year age limits.
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Old 08-30-2021, 10:17 AM   #499
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Made a new ID tag, mounted beside front door.

Nicely done!! Where can one acquire?
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Old 08-30-2021, 11:30 AM   #500
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I made it, I polished the aluminum for this one, it was a real pain. I have some plates on order to see what they look like.
If they look ok I'll do them for $20.
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