Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:14:01 -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 panels for your Vanagon
In-Reply-To: <Pine.LNX.4.64.0706190058050.28978@birdbird.example.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Matt, those are excellent product recommendations for solar panels. I've
never heard of Del City before, they appear to be an good resource for
low-voltage bits -- I'm bookmarking them.
--
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
Matt Roberds typed:
>> From: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
>> Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 08:23:18 -0700
>>
>> The 6-gauge wire I use is similar to westmarine.com's p/n 290882, but
>> there's no way that it could actually be that wire, at more than $8 a
>> foot! Still, it looks just like it.
>
> Del City ( www.delcity.net ) sells different kinds of cable that might
> be suitable. They also carry the two-conductor Anderson connectors.
> They do have a $25 minimum order, and the minimum lengths on some of
> their cable are somewhat long. Having said that:
>
> Parallel booster cable in 5 gauge at $2/ft (57151) or 3 gauge at $3.50/ft
> (57131), 100 feet minimum. (This is like lamp cord on steroids.)
> They also sell 4 gauge jumper cables in lengths from 12 feet ($19) to
> 20 feet ($26) - you could buy a set and just cut off the clamps. Or do
> the same with a locally-purchased set.
>
> General purpose parallel wire:
> http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?parentid=358&page=1
> This comes in 18/2 up to 14/4; not really enough for a big solar panel,
> but the /3 and /4 can be handy if you need more than two wires that run
> together - it makes a neat harness without having to wrap individual
> wires with tape, loom, etc. 100 foot minimums. (Some FLAPS will have
> the 18/4, 16/4, or 14/4 parallel wire in 20' or so chunks with their
> trailer lighting stuff.)
>
> Duplex brake cable:
> http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?parentid=354&page=1
> This comes in 18/2 ($16/100 ft) up to 10/2 ($61/100 ft); 10/2 might be
> enough for a smaller panel or a shorter run. Just two wires in a jacket.
> 100 foot minimum.
>
> Two-conductor Anderson connectors:
> http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?parentid=1043&page=1
> http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?parentid=1042&page=1
> Note that for these, both housings have to be the same color or they
> won't plug together. The 50 amp connectors will be good for up to 500 W
> of solar panel; you can choose the bigger ones for less contact
> resistance or greater power handling if you like. You can put together
> a complete set of two connectors (two housings, four contacts) for about
> $6.50.
>
> An option I forgot to mention earlier, if you don't have the big crimp
> tool for the larger contacts: you can solder these onto the cable with
> a propane torch. You can use regular wire solder, or get a ready-made
> slug for $0.25-$0.50 that will drop into the connector:
> http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?parentid=1036&page=1
>
> For single-conductor wires, Del City also has battery cable and welding
> cable, but you may be able to get smaller quantities and less shipping
> cost locally. You can also get type SJ, SJOOW, or SOOW power cord at
> most big-box stores - this is the stuff with a round black rubber jacket.
> It's sort of like a cheap orange extension cord for 120 V but the rubber
> is more durable than the orange PVC. The big-box stores will have it up
> to about 12 or 10 gauge; if you go to the electrical supply house, you
> can probably get heavier gauges.
>
> Standard disclaimers apply; I don't get money or other considerations
> from any companies mentioned.
>
> Matt Roberds
>
>
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