Date:         Sun, 2 May 2010 15:37:40 -0700
Reply-To:     "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\"" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\"" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Solar Panel Mount -Flexible Panels?
Comments: To: Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <h2r86476e251005021411z9e3e3b4ak7c5300fb5407b87a@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Loren Busch wrote:

> Second,  I think you will find that the electrical consumption of any one,
> let alone all, of the cooking appliances you list is well beyond the
> capabilities of any solar system practical in a Vanagon.

Of course, Loren says it far more concisely that I ever could.

Pat, if microwave oven/electric kettle/electric skillet cooking appeals,
then you're pretty much going to need to head in the larger RV
territory, one with one of those obnoxious generators, because any
manageable solar rig on a Vanagon won't be able to support the power
that electric heating requires.

A gallon of propane packs 90,000 btu. Discharging a 100 amp-hour battery
to 50%* will provide 50 amp-hours, or 0.6kWh -- about 2,000 btu. (Rough
numbers only, the student is invited to do the eggheadery math ... in
fact, the student is /urged/ to do so because I've had three very nice
local ales now and cannot be trusted to even figure out the frickin' tip
here.)

* I try to stay above a 50% discharge to encourage long battery life.


--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Bend, OR
KG6RCR