Date:         Tue, 6 Aug 2002 14:15:03 -0600
Reply-To:     Michael Blackbun <mtblackburn@QWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Blackbun <mtblackburn@QWEST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Solar panels and curtains
Comments: To: peter hargreave <phargreave@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <F31cWNYgEj4v5iJarnJ0002c475@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I have set up solar panels on a couple vans now.  You mentioned setting up a
solar panel instead of getting a second battery.  This really won't solve
your problem and it is probably cheaper to get a dual battery setup with a
charging relay to your alternator.

The reason people put in second batteries is to have a deep cycle battery
they can discharge, without fear of not being able to start the van.  If you
had just a solar panel charging the starting battery and you discharged it
all the way, it would still take some time to recharge it... This could
potentially leave you stranded for some time until the battery recharged.
Also, with a standard battery if you fully discharge it several times it is
generally trashed and won't take a charge again.

One advantage of dual battery with a solar panel is there is no need for a
battery isolator or relay.  The solar panel batteries can be totally
independant of the vehicle charging system.  But, a solar panel can be quite
expensive an 80 watt panel and charge controller cost around $600.  The
other route is much cheaper...a relay is only around $20 from BusDepot, or
an isolator is something like $80 from surepower.

I got my setup from RVSolar in Bend, OR.  I am using two trojan T-105
batteries.  They have a kit available for the Vanagon, so I decided to go
with them and have a little support after the sale for a van application.
There web site is http://www.rvsolar.com/vanagon.htm.  If I were to do it
again I would probably just buy the parts myself individually.  The "kit"
wasn't really made just for the vanagon and I had to do a considerable
amount of customizing and the instructions they provided where for an RV.  I
ended up just making up the installation.  It was nice to have all the
components pre-sized for each other.

Michael Blackburn

1990 Syncro Adventurewagen



  From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of
peter hargreave
  Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2002 1:07 PM
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Subject: Solar panels and curtains



  Wondering whether anybody has setup a solar panel on there westy instead
of hooking up a second battery - If so where did you get it - how much was
it - difficult to install?

  Also I am wanting to install a curtain behind the front two seat to use
instead of the front window button-up. Does anyone know where I could find
one or do I need to build it myself.

  Thanks for the help,

  Peter Hargreave

  Long time admirer, first time owner - '85 Westy






  >From: James B Robinson

  >Reply-To: James B Robinson
  >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  >Subject: Re: Revisiting the Catalytic Converter...
  >Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2002 11:44:59 -0700
  >
  >Your point here being that only the perfect may speak? Or perhaps that if
  >one cannot do everything one should do nothing? Or maybe you're saying
that
  >if you do some damage you may as well do a lot?
  >
  >Maybe you just feel defensive because you ripped all of that enviro crap
  >out of -your- Vanagon.
  >
  >Oh, and if I find somebody taking a dump in my back yard I don't really
have
  >to ask myself anything before I ask them to knock it off.
  >
  >On Tue, Aug 06, 2002 at 08:33:00AM -0700, kevin obrien wrote:
  > > I didn't say I didn't want to preserve it....I was
  > > implying that a person should ask himself/herself if
  > > they are doing everything possible to limit the use of
  > > our enviro-damaging Vans BEFORE they post a message
  > > suggesting the measures another member should take.
  > >
  > > We love our Vanagons...but they are NOT the perfect
  > > vehicle for enjoying the natural world...or preserving
  > > it....catalytic converter or none. I think our feet
  > > do alot less impact....
  > >
  > > Kevin
  >
  >--
  >[ Jim Robinson -- System Administrator -- ratwerks.com ]
  >I am a boomer. My generation looked nuclear annihilation
  >in the eye and said "No thanks, I'd rather drive a BMW."


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
  Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: Click Here