Date: Fri, 26 May 2000 09:01:02 -0700
Reply-To: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject: Re: batteries, power, wiring,...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi Donna,
I have a solar panel that I have set up to mount in the luggage rack... it
is removable.
The problem with mounting it permanently in the luggage rack is that,
depending on the orientation of the van, there are many instances where the
pop top will shade the solar panel (and only the slightest amount of shade
will shut off the solar panel cells)... For instance, I have found that in
warm climates the fridge works best if the Van is parked facing east... thus
the back side of the fridge is facing north and does not heat up from the
sun. With the van facing east the pop top will shade a solar panel in the
luggage rack in the afternoon. I suppose you could face the van south and
this would eliminate this problem... but put more stress on your fridge's
cooling ability... at least in the first half of the day.
So my solar panel is on an extension cord and can be placed to face the
sun... on the ground... leaning against the side of the van... or in the
luggage rack. I can drive with it in the luggage rack or store it behind the
rear seat (standing up on its long edge) where it takes little room.
The advantages of the solar panel being in the luggage rack are:
While driving... though I don't think it adds much, if any, charging
advantages to the already more than adequate alternator charging.
While parked in a public place, the solar panel is not very noticeable in
the luggage rack and therefore not likely to be stolen. (My main reason for
doing the luggage rack mount.)
To wire it I put about 18 inches of extension cord on the solar panel itself
(plug attached to one end) and a short piece of extension cord on the solar
panel controller (plug attached to one end). Then I can connect the two with
an unaltered extension cord and place the solar panel outside while camped.
Up in the luggage rack, I installed one of those shore side power plug ins
with a weather proof lid (available at boating or RV stores) in the rear
wall of the luggage rack. A 3 ft or so section of extension cord (plug attac
hed to one end) runs from the back of the luggage rack through the lower
left (driver's side) corner of the front canvas pop top window. When I want
to hook up the solar panel in the luggage rack I simply plug the solar panel
into the shore side power receptacle and inside the van I plug in a short, 3
foot, section of power cord between the plug coming off the back side of the
shore side power receptacle and the section of power attached to the
controller (which is wired to the auxiliary battery).
You also have to figure a way to securely attach the solar panel to the
luggage rack... just in case you have to stop fast! ... and just the small
amount of shade that bungies make on the solar panel will shut it off !
I figured a way to cut slots in the side of the solar panel frame that are
aligned with four of the luggage rack tie down brackets... then I insert
some custom make pieces of metal (about 1" wide by 8" long by 1/8" thick)
that go through the brackets and the side slots cut into the solar panel
frame. [lots of micro engineering involved with this... way more time than
it's worth... but it's secure, doesn't rattle, and is even padded underneath
to dampen vibration... an best of all it works!]
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donna Cassano" <pokeswagon@BLAZENET.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 8:19 AM
Subject: batteries, power, wiring,...
> How about solar panels mounted in the luggage rack? Has anyone tried or
> dreamt of doing this?
>
> If this is a crazy question, just consider that it's Friday. : ~ )
>
> Peace - donna
> '84 Westy (Pepe)
> '80 Westy (Pokey)
>