Date:         Sat, 2 Jul 2011 21:06:26 -0400
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      first week of july project (part 1)
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Okay, so after getting my solar panel, that meant I had a project to do....get it mounted on my Westy.

Several years ago I decided I wanted a lot flexibility in putting things on the poptop of my Westy. So I bought some VersaTie track from Mac's Tie Downs <http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/category/VersaTie>. I mounted these on the poptop crosswise, rather than lengthwise. I put 5 of them up there. One towards the front, 2 in the middle, 2 towards the rear.

The first use of them was to hold my Packasport <http://www.packasport.com/home/ps2/page_14.html> The cool thing about my mounting system is that its nigh on invisible. People kept stopping me thinking the Packasport was falling off the top (I had it offset to the side, and overhanging the rear so that I could still open the poptop without too much effort.

When I got my canoe (cedar strip made in Canada <http://www.headwatercanoe.com/models.html>) I realized that the Packasport model I had was just too big to be on the poptop when I was carrying the canoe. I also had to figure out a good way to carry the canoe. A lift system designed for kayaks caught my eye....and I figured  a way to attach the Thule Hullavator to my tracks. Works great.

Now this weekend I had my new solar panel to mount up on my tracks. A trip to Home Depot/Lowe's saw me acquire 2 sets of aluminum angle pieces. One pair in 1/2" wide 1/8" thick 4 foot length, the other pair 1" wide 1/8" tick 4 foot length. I picked up some stainless bolts, locktite nuts and washers and set to work. Marking, drilling, filing and fitting. About 6 hours later, the solar panel is now mounted up on my track system. Looks nice and clean again.

The remaining task is to update the wiring to accommodate the solar panel on my multi-use external (anderson powerpole) DC connection point. This will consist of inserting a single pull double throw switch in the circuit (correctly rated for possible amperage of course) that will allow me to send power to a solar battery charge controller, or direct to the battery.

My external DC connection point actually has several uses. I've mentioned it on the list already. One of these is for the solar panel (or will be RSN). Another is so that I can give folk a battery jump without having to open up my battery compartment (yes, my wiring is designed with this in mind. All the internal wiring is 6 gauge, though the custom jumper cable is only 10 gauge.) I also have a 30 amp circuit breaker in the circuit. The other usage is for my portable wind turbine (which has it's own battery charge controller built in, hence the reason for the direct to battery.)

Actually all of this is to the secondary battery. I have a Surepower 1315 battery separator between this battery and my starting battery.

Next major project is going to have to be following in Karl's footsteps and install a Truckfridge.