Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:15:54 -0800
Reply-To: Pat Sloan <pmsloan@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Pat Sloan <pmsloan@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Solar Power Charger for Van Camping
In-Reply-To: <COL109-DS21891D93A55D4C4A6BE060EE310@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Thank you very much, Mike. I've had a quick look at the mrsolar page and
have saved it for when I have more time to figure it all out. The thing is,
for me, I read about the ThinkGeek thing and they describe its capacity in
terms of 20,000 mAh. Then I go to the mrsolar site and they're talking in
terms of watts and volts and AC. Since I don't really understand what any of
those things are, I throw up my hands, place my brain in Park, and go off
and do something else.
They will sell a lot more solar items generally, when people don't need a
journeyman's certificate to decide what to buy.
Cheers, Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Thyer [mailto:matt_thyer@hotmail.com]
Sent: November-10-10 1:43 PM
To: 'Pat Sloan'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Solar Power Charger for Van Camping
Take a look at something like this:
http://www.mrsolar.com/page/MSOS/CTGY/rv
Those TG devices are nice, but seriously the PV capacity of something like
that is 'limited'. Depending on what you intend to run with it you're going
to want at least 50 watts on a big deep cycle battery with a charge
controller. Depending on how far north you're hanging out in the winter you
may want more than this (80 to 100 watts). The price difference is nominal
(I got a 50 W BP panel and charge controller this summer for about the same)
and you'll have something that will work *way* better.
MT
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Pat Sloan
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 12:37 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Solar Power Charger for Van Camping
I know this has been discussed several times on the list, but I came across
this solar charger on ThinkGeek.com and wanted to get some opinions.
What I like about it is that it's small but can collect and store a
relatively heavy charge. I really like to have my laptop and Iphone with me
when I'm travelling and camping alone (65 yr old woman here). Also that it's
versatile and can be charged by AC, cigarette lighter or the sun. It also
seems relatively uncomplicated and idiot-proof, which is important to me.
The other systems I've seen so far have much larger solar arrays, are
heavier and appear to be more complicated to set up, connect, etc. At
$199.99 the price seems good also.
I don't have enough electrical knowledge to realistically evaluate whether
it can do what it says it can do and what I want/need it to do. Any
thoughts?
Cheers, Pat
