Date: Sun, 2 May 2010 13:46:11 -0700
Reply-To: Pat Sloan <pmsloan@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Pat Sloan <pmsloan@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Solar Panel Mount -Flexible Panels?
In-Reply-To: <m2t86476e251005011719g8ab88fd2s6909c8e1c21a157b@mail.gmail.com>
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Great points, Loren.
So I guess you're thinking that the propane is essential for cooking and
heating and you're right of course, given the current set up. But I have
been thinking, since the Otter came into my life about 6 months ago, that
there might be a modern technology solution that would transcend the use of
the propane. At home, I hardly ever use the stovetop burners - in fat,
hardly use my conventional stove at all. It's really early days, but I've
begun looking into options like microwaves, small toaster/convection ovens,
electric frying pans, electric kettles etc, all of which would run off the
auxiliary battery which would be charged by the solar. Would require some
rejigging of the current kitchen layout of course, but its fun to speculate.
And if a new fridge is ever in the budget, then that whole area could be
redesigned.
Of course, cooking over the outdoor campfire is still my favourite option.
The heating is more of a challenge. Guess there would need to be some kind
of heat sink (like the stone walls in solar houses) that the solar would
charge up and then the heat could be released as needed. There would need to
be some way of NOT storing or releasing the heat when you're somewhere warm
of course. Hmmm.
Your points re the relative costs of panels are great and very helpful.
Guess I need a course in basic electricity so I can buy with confidence.
Still not very sure how amps and volts relate. Can anyone recommend a
website? Or I'll head out to my local hardware store and challenge the staff
there.
Solar roof mounting is obviously proven to work, but there are two big
issues (at least for me). One is that it would add a few more inches to the
van height and so make it difficult (if not impossible) to drive into an
underground garage like in my building. Two is that I would really like the
freedom I had in my old '73 Westy, where you could park it on a forest road
and level it up so you'd get the best view instead of having to make sure
that the roof solar mount is angled right.
Any thoughts? Any experiences to relate?
Cheers, Pat - 1982 Vanjetta - 'Otter'
_____
From: Loren Busch [mailto:starwagen@gmail.com]
Sent: May-01-10 5:20 PM
To: Pat Sloan
Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] Solar Panel Mount -Flexible Panels?
RE: Solar
First, I don't understand how you are going to replace the use of propane
with a solar panel, at least that's the way I read part of your post.
As for the foldable/rollable/flexible solar panels the flexible panels are
much more expensive than the conventional panels, much more for the same
capability. And the flexible panels seem to only be available in smaller
sizes.
As for the GoWesty setup. a 50W panel, at $649, less than a month ago I
bought a 50W panel for $179 including shipping to my home. The controller
they include is under $50 and the wires and connectors can be done for $20
or under. A 50W panel, under ideal conditions with a good controller, will
put out about 2.6-2.8 amps. Assuming a really good day with bright Sun for
eight hours that's less than 24 amp hours of current. That's fine for
moderate use but you really need to figure what your electric consumption is
going to be and then figure out how much solar charging capacity you will
need.
Several people I know have their solar panels mounted on the roof and are
happy with the results. But I've never talked to them about how careful
they are to park with the panel pointed south for maximum charging. I do
know, from watching the current flow, that the angle to the Sun makes a big
difference in the output from the PV panels.
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