Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2010 23:32:25 -0400
Reply-To: Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: solar question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hey Mervyn,
With an efficient fridge and enough amp hours in your battery bank you
should be really happy with a 130 watt. I get by with my old 70 watt but am
watching the prices drop and watts go up and will be upgrading soon.
When considering any wiring run for a solar panel the shortest route is
always best as you probably know. Further more put the controller as close
to the battery or batteries as you can, use big enough wires etc.
I tried to figure out a good way to minimize work should I want to
remove the panel on my van. In the end I ran the wiring for the panel
through a hole that I drilled in the fiberglass top. I was already drilling
mounting holes for the panel so adding a small hole for the wires wasn't a
big deal in my opinion. Good cleaning soap then water then acetone and the
appropriate goop like Boatlife's Life-Caulk and you shouldn't have to worry
about the wire hole for a long time. If you put the wire hole under the
panel then it is protected from branches etc. and the goop from sunlight.
I oriented my panel with it's wiring close to the back of the pop-top so
that the wires don't need to have too much excess for the opening/closing of
the top. A long staple (not too tight) holds the wire to the corner of the
top ceiling so that it doesn't hang loose for snagging toes in the
night. From there the wires run down near the rear corner of the canvas to
the underside the top bunk's matress. I drilled a hole under the mattress
into the front-passenger corner of the hangup closet. From there the wire
goes down and forward until it makes it under the bench seat near the front
of the water tank. I kept the wire in the cabinet corners for
protection/clean running etc. My panels controller is under the bench seat
near the aux battery on the passenger side. If I lift the seat rear seat I
can easily see the indicators on the controller, not that I check them
often.
One of the great things about solar is that once it is setup all you have to
do is remember to park in the sun. No on off, plug unplug or anything, it
just works. I spend most of the year in my camper and the solar panel is
probably the best upgrade that I have made to my van. It's great to be able
to rarely need to worry about battery power. Led lights, and other changes
definitely help though.
Jonathan Poole
'83 AC Westy
From: Mervyn Readman <themervino@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: solar question
I am thinking of buying a 130 watt panel for my van. I am also thinking of
buying a portable refrig/freezer (not the cheapie kind) that that panel will
help power. My question is how are folks with panels routing the wire into
van. I was thinking the air intake at the rear of the van. Any one have any
ideas? Also if anyone has any experience with the $400 to $600
refrig/freezers(ones shaped like a regular cooler)I would love to hear pros
and cons. Thanks Merv
