Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 08:13:10 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Fw: Solar panel mount
In-Reply-To: <03588F26DDC44633BD9C91237FC9B616@Guenther>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
When you measure the output of a solar panel you will find that their
electrical production capacity is quite dependent on how they are oriented
to the sun. Stationary mounts are a significant compromise to solar panel
output. With a fixed mounted panel your 'optimal' electrical production is
delivered, at best, for a few hours per day. The rest of the daylight
hours, the stationary panel is at an oblique and ineffective angle to the
sun's rays...it's electrical production is low, compared to an optimally
aimed panel.
When you see hard-mounted solar panels, you will notice they are often
quite large (numerous panels in series) in order to meet electrical needs.
This is because most of every day they aren't producing at anywhere near
their optimal capacity. Most of the big motorhomes with solar have multiple
large panels that mount on their roofs and have some kind of 'struts' to
allow them to be angled up to near 45degrees..very few have the capacity to
'follow the sun' across the sky as the day passes, so they have multiple
panels to make up the electrical shortfall. I see some RVs that drive
around with their solar array 'deployed' at an angle, but on a vanagon, that
would probably be impractical.
So, if you plan on always parking in direct sunlight with you van oriented
in a certain direction, you can get satisfactory production from your solar
panels. But you may need more panels ($) to 'keep up' due to poor solar
exposure much of the day.
I've been solar for many years. I started with one small (maybe 12"x30"
panel, on a long power lead that plugs right into my 12v coach battery
system. Recently we've increased our electrical consumption so now
we also have a larger panel (about 3'X3' with a solid state controller right
on the rear surface) I won't quote a bunch of numbers. I still just use my
small panel for the vanagon. Most of the time it keeps up fine in that
vehicle..
The larger one is also 'portable' in that it is connected with a longer
'lamp cord' to whatever system needs power...usually the coach battery
circuit. My first action every AM (or the last at night, if I remember) is
to turn the panel to the East to catch the morning sun. During the day, the
panel gets moved as required. Depending on your campsite, a longish cord
and a movable panel is often the only way to get solar at all.
I've described my 'storage system' in another post...long post..a pic
would be better but that is not possible. Briefly what I've done is use
some 1/4" plywood and piano hinges to configure the panel and its' covers
into a 'book-like' configuration. Take a hardback printed book (remember
those?) with a book jacket and unfold it on a table...you will get the
idea. When 'deployed' I have an equal lateral triangle structure..120
degrees..two plywood sides and the solar panel. When closed, a 'book' with
the solar panel in place of the fly leaf of the book jacket. The cord coils
up inside.
Works for me..though on windy days and nights I have to remember to weight
it down or fold it up. Mine travels under the rear pad, flat on the engine
decklid.
Don Hanson
On Sat, May 1, 2010 at 2:07 AM, Arkady Mirvis <arkadymirvis@gmail.com>wrote:
> Subject: Solar panel mount
>
>
>
> I woiuld like to ask the listees to display, describe the mounts of solar
>> panels on Westys. Some have the panels not mounted and stored. That is an
>> option. Some may have them roof mounted, some may with tracking. Very
>> interesting tread to discuss,lean and implement.
>> Thanks in advance, Ark.
>>
>
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