Date:         Fri, 11 Aug 2000 08:42:31 -0700
Reply-To:     Bill Davidson <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Davidson <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
Subject:      Re: Solar Panels in Vanagons
Comments: To: PSavage <psavage@saber.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

>     My solar panel measures 11 x 19" & is approx 1/16" thick.
> It can put out 8 watts of power while in full sun/good angle.
> I have not yet tried using my new laptop with my system, but
> will be soon.  So, don't know if 8 watts is adequate.  If it is not,
> I will simply call Real Goods Trading Co & find out how many
> more watts I need.

Real Goods will not know for any given lap top.... look at the output
ratings on the transformer that came with your laptop for a clue :)

Solar panels come in a variety of wattages.
> It is perfectly easy to use them in tandem--& can be more useful that way,
> at times.

You will need a lot of them!!! And once you put that many together you will
also need a regulator to make sure you  don't over charge your battery...
mush simpler to just buy one large one; otherwise you're going to get caught
in your own web of wires :)

>Just be sure & buy the "bulletproof" type.

Not necessary... the glass ones are about half the price per watt and they
take up less room per watt... they are also quite durable as they are
designed to withstand all types of weather, hail stormes, snow loads, etc.

Bill


> Hope this helps,
> Phaedra
> '85 Westy-Wolf
> "Hester"
>