Date:         Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:47:55 -0700
Reply-To:     David Hardy <david@PLANETMIND.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Hardy <david@PLANETMIND.NET>
Subject:      Re: solar charger
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed; DelSp=Yes

I've had a 45 watt panel in my '86's luggage carrier for years, wired
to a charge controller and then to the aux battery. Does a great job
of keeping it charged, as long as it's sunny. Not enough to run
everything (laptop, chargers, lights) for more than a couple days,
though.

In my '90 I just got a 70 watt panel here:
http://www.unlimited-solar.com.  They seem to have the best prices,
free shipping, and ship really fast. (I buy solar panels frequently
for my day job). I mounted it near the rear on the poptop,
longitudinally. I got a charge controller with an LCD readout on ebay,
and I plan to wire that up to the aux battery, which in turn will be
wired to the main battery via a Sure Power 1315 isolator, which will
charge the aux battery when the engine is running (and has a way to
isntalla switch use the aux for help starting). That's the plan, anyway.

For my '83  (yes, I have a problem), I just got one of these for $40:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200496972_200496972
mainly to keep the main battery charged, since it doesn't get used
much (poor girl). BTW, apparently anything over about 10 watts and you
need a charge controller to prevent overcharging the battery.

David


-----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf =
> Of Chris S.
> Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 2:02 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: solar charger
>
> The infamous and loved Harbor Freight sells different types of solar =
> panels. I bought a 12" x 18" (inches not feet, scrutineers) and hooked =
> it up via a cig lighter plug.=20
>
> Chris.


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David Hardy
Planetmind Internetworks
Nedernet, Inc.
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