Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2007 07:23:24 -0700
Reply-To: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Solar Panel config?
In-Reply-To: <001e01c76c48$07b27710$0401a8c0@SimonLightBox>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi B,
I've done exactly that. I have a pair of 45W BP Solar panels which I
stash where the upper bunk used to be - we use that area for storage.
The panels get deployed out in the sun, propped up by a couple of
telescoping hiking staffs. They are connected to a Solar Boost 2000E
solar controller via 6-gauge "extension cords" which I made from some
nice wire I got at West Marine and Power Pole connectors. The solar
controller usually gets me 20 to 40% more current than connecting the
panels alone. In good sunlight I read 6+ amperes through my analog
ammeter. I use a Xantex digital volt/amp/amp-hour meter to monitor
battery state of discharge. I have a Group 27 deep-cycle battery under
the bench seat. A typical evening with soft music, fluorescent and LED
lighting, and a DVD plus however much power our Norcold 12V refrigerator
needs (depends on outside temp) generally reduces the battery's charge
by 15%. When it's sunny, the battery is recharged by midmorning. The
panels put out enough current that I can take the battery offline during
sunny hours and run everything -- including the 2.5 amp refrigerator --
from the panels alone. I'm real happy with the system.
I have written some pretty detailed messages about the system for this
list - search back for a couple years for my posts. You can find posts
where I give more descriptions along with links to the various bits.
Maybe you'll get some ideas from that.
P-mail me after you've looked over my posts if you need more info.
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR
Savar @ Gmail typed:
> I've decided to outfit my 88 Westy with a solar panel for my sojourns into the Desert!
> Here's my idea:
> I want to get a rigid panel (the flexible ones just aren't that efficient) that fits up in that space behind the folded bed on top. When I'm camped, I would pop the top, take it out and place it in a good spot for ol Sol and have a through-lid plug of some sort, with the wiring running down to my aux. deepcycle battery that's hangin under the rear seat.
> Has anyone tried this, or some version of it?
> Any panel reccs?
>
> Thx
> B. Simon
>
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