Date:         Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:44:19 -0700
Reply-To:     "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\" Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\" Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Low-voltage alarm
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Even though I post a warning sign on the side of Mellow Yellow when
camping "Caution: Occupant may be armed, naked, or both," I get a
certain number of people wander into the campsite to inquire about my
solar rig.*

As anyone who has been reading these recent threads about solar can see,
it's not as easy as hooking up a generator, donning earplugs and
breathing gear, letting 'er rip and retiring inside the RV to watch TV.
Explaining everything would take some time, time better spent
contemplating how to lash a tablecloth down or something.

So I'm preparing a little handout to give the curious folk. Maybe one or
two will be able to use the information to go solar. It's mostly a
description of our rig, with a little additional information about
panels, wire, connectors, controller, batteries, as well as information
about energy-efficient appliances and stuff. Jumping-off places for
determining panel wattages and needed battery capacities -- simple stuff
that's already been written up these past few days here.

I want to find a simple low-voltage alarm to add, too. I built mine out
of parts I found in the junk drawer here, so I'm no help. Does anyone
know of a cheap and cheerful off-the-shelf alarm?

*I'm not sure who was more embarrassed on the last trip when a nice
gray-haired couple, looking like salt and pepper shakers, came into camp
to find me standing, old white bare ass (and other bits) hanging out
while I stood at the table kneading dough. They backed out fairly
quickly, I dashed for a towel, and Mrs Squirrel seemed fairly scandalized.
--

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