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Date:         Fri, 18 Mar 2005 11:39:27 -0700
Reply-To:     jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject:      Re: Solar power
In-Reply-To:  <20050318165031.68830.qmail@web21323.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

On 3/18/05 9:50, "Barb Cotton" <cottonscrafts@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> I need some advice. I am getting an Optima battery installed to run my stuff > when I am camped, and want to get a solar charger to keep the power up when I > am parked. I am looking at 2 different ones in the Northern Tool and Equipment > Catalog. One is small enuf to sit on the dash, maintains 12 volt car, truck, > MC, boat, or RV batteries for $29.99. The other does all that plus says it is > ideal for deep cycle, otherwise similiar to the cheaper one, for $69.99. Also > quite a bit bigger. I don't want to spend more money than I have to, but want > to get one that will work for me. Will the smaller one work, or should I get > the bigger one?? > > > Barb > 83 Westy > > Never regret. > If it's good, it's wonderful. > If it's bad, it's experience. > Victoria Holt

These solar panels are only good for keeping a battery "topped" they are useless for anything else. Did a project using 8 of those small panels and found that even that many were not of any real use. You need a minimum of about 30 watts from a solar charger to do any recharging of the battery. If you are not using anything on that battery you will be recharged in about 24 hours. (if the sun was out for 24 hours). That means you really need about 90 watts output to charge a battery in one day. These panels are about 4 foot long and two foot high and run about 420 bucks a panel. Can be found at RV stores. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• jimt Planned insanity is best. Remember that sanity is optional. http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info) http://www.westydriver.com


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