Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

I'll chime in here even though I'm not an electrical engineer. In the camper application there are two wires coming from your lights/heater/accessories so everything grounds to the battery (completes the loop)...with the vehicle they use the chassis as the ground and run all of the negative wires to ground instead of all the way back to the battery. Just my 2cents, I'm very much open to correction though.

 

I'm guessing you are talking about an alternative to using the all-in-one system like a Goal Zero. I followed the examples from various online "experts" and my system has been running great. Check out this channel. https://www.youtube.com/@WillProwse

My reasoning was wanting lithium and needing a lager power bank. This was back in the day when Kimbo was including a small AMG Goal Zero. I did not need to ground my battery to a chassis ground. My electrical build out and resources are on the first page of this thread and linked below.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kimbo-camper-bs-and-mods.651104/page-11#post-25137218

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kimbo-camper-bs-and-mods.651104/page-11#post-25151636


Another owner's setup.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kimbo-camper-bs-and-mods.651104/page-30#post-25893752

 

Mr. Prowse is the best.

 

I didn't have anything there other than what you see. I got the barebones with just some electrical. Attaching things to the shell, I've used

$6 3M VHB 100x200mm~ (4" X8") Double Sided Foam Adhesive Sheet Tape 5952 Automotive Mounting Industrial Grade Very High Bond 5952 (1 Sheets 100x200mm)

3M VHB tape, sheet metal screws, and bolts. I then backed it up with eternabond and/or sealant on the inside and out. Clear sealant on the outside where the bolts attached to the back wall. I used the same Sikaflex on the inside that Kimbo uses. The stuff is messy but works very well. The eterabond was used to cover the sheet metal screws on the top of the Kimbo where the solar panels are attached with VHB tape.

 

Have some time coming up. I'll try and get that measured. Sorry it took awhile. It's smaller than you think unfortunately. What do you have currently? It might be better to setup a portable one on the ground that you can chain in to your system.

 

What did you do for this?

 

I'd agree with the portable option - we were looking at attaching some additional solar to the roof but the more we thought about it, the less it made sense to us. The portable option allows for adjustability to match the sun direction, we can park in under tree cover for getting out of the direct sun on hot days, we can leave it home for those dreary months when the sun is on hiatus. I'm looking at getting a couple inexpensive standard 100w panels and making up a couple stands for them and just using them where and when needed.

 

Same. Just need to figure out how to chain them in easily since the main connection is on the top of the roof. Our Starlink came in a few days ago. I'm pretty sure we will be just fine in the CO sun, but just in case I would like to have a plug and play option ready to go.

 

I did not ground the inverter case. It was not something I saw in other systems. I could run it to my ground bus bar though. I imagine it would increase safty.

 

Don't think I posted these pictures here. I guess possibilities are endless with a full size truck.

 

Looking at a weatherproof socket to add to the area next to the shore power outlet. That'd provide a way to chain it in before it goes into the inverter system.

 

Something like these two put together?

Vemote Solar Panel to SAE Adapter Cable 10AWG, Compatible with MC4 Solar Connector, 50Amps for Solar Panels RV Caravan Battery Charger Kit,with SAE Polarity Reverse Adapter (60Cm/2FT)

https://www.amazon.com/Vemote-Connector-Adapter-Extension-Polarity/dp/B08ZHX51D4?crid=335XZACN4XLVP&keywords=mc4+to+12v+adapter&qid=1681319960&sprefix=mc4+to+12v+adapter%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1-spons

Randpow SAE Socket Solar Sidewall Port, 1FT 12AWG Weatherproof SAE Quick Disconnect Wire Harness Solar Panel Flush Mount Plug Outlet, SAE Cable DIY Cord for Solar Generator Battery Charger (2-Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/Randpow-Side...ords=solar+plug+outlet&qid=1681319726&sr=8-11

 

yep, exactly like that.

 

I'm guessing a switch in-between this positive and the existing system too. That way the new plug isn't hot when there is nothing plugged in. This would be connected to where my original panels come to the first switch. I would double check my fuses on that side of the solar controller and gauges but they should be fine. Curious if I could just ground the extra panel to my ground bus bar or if it needs to be in the solar controller ground like the main two on the roof.

Hopefully that makes sense. Just kinda thinking out loud at this point so I don't have to write this down somewhere else.

 

Well, it technically would be hot at the plug in...but it does have the rubber cover and it's recessed a fair bit so it may be tough to shock yourself on the outlet unless you were real motivated. I'm pretty sure the solar panels are hot swappable due to their nature, so I'd probably wire them direct with a fuse or breaker - then add a switch if they were getting tripped. I would definitely make sure all your grounds in relation to the solar are on a common bus bar.

 

My current panels are grounded to the controller and the controller is grounded to the buss bar. I would possibly have to add a bus bar for the grounds before the solar controller since there may not be room for two separate grounds into the controller. Here is the switch I have to turn off the sun juice to the controller. Was thinking using another for the additional panel to cut off the outside port when not in use.

$25 Blue Sea Systems 6006200 m-Series Battery Switch ON/OFF with Knob, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Systems-Battery-Switch/dp/B00558LSJE?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

 

Thanks RF_Ryan, my system has a similar wiring diagram. And this new system is similair to what I currently have in my sprinter (easy to ground the chassis in the van).
My inverter case is grounded to the negative buss bar per my wiring diagram. It's similar to the one you posted and it also show's a "chassis ground" (which shows coming off the negative buss bar in my case). I'll peak around tomorrow and see if I can sort out my grounding question.

 

2 100w panels at the moment. I don't really want to chain them since the port is on top of the camper.. if my measurements are right then then should be 4-6cms side of the square panel. Could then add a 4th foldable if I need more.

 

I'll be able to get up today.

 

Thanks for looking!