Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 17:29:19 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Solar Power
In-Reply-To: <20130628155725.24705@web005.roc2.bluetie.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I don't think that will be quite enough to do what you describe. I have
something similar....without going through your links and doing a bunch of
math....I charge about the same stuff and have an under-seat sized coach
battery and a similar sized solar panel.....It is often sufficient but not
always...I camp off the grid a lot but I also drive my van almost every
day, which is helpful to the charge...but if I spend significant time on my
computer or listen to too much radio...my aux battery goes low...I had an
inverter that really didn't work well with this set up, now I use only 12v
stuff with adapter plugs...though I do have the inverter along just in
case...inverters aren't that effective, it seems...
Anyhow, if you don't mind sometimes having to start your engine to top
up the aux battery, you can probably get by with the panel you mention and
the battery...but it will be 'just most of the time' if your usage is
similar to mine, which it sounds like might be the case. Still, it's nice
to have it simple and small...I don't get too bothered if I can't do
something electrical every time.... "right now" , without sometimes firing
up the van... You can always add more solar panel at a later time.
On Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 12:57 PM, J B <jbever@excite.com> wrote:
> Hi everyone. I was hoping to get feedback and ideas from anyone that has
> looked into a solar panel set-up for their Vanagon.
>
> I have done some research and would like to find a panel that would fit in
> the luggage rack of my Westy which measures approx 19"x45". I don't use the
> luggage rack and would prefer using it rather than the pop-top roof.
>
> The battery I was thinking of getting that will fit under the drivers seat
> is this one:
>
> http://www.batteryconcepts.net/yuasa/ub12500.html
>
> Cheap and 50AH
>
> The problem I'm finding is most solar panels seem to be 26" wide which
> won't fit the luggage rack and the largest one I can see that will fit is
> only a 30W (16"x26") something like this:
>
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/30W-30-Watt-Solar-Panel-12V-12-Volt-Battery-Charger-Off-Grid-RV-Boat-/271167309560?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f22d4c6f8
>
> I have a 400W power inverter and really only need power to charge 2
> phones, 1 ipad, sink pump, 1 laptop, interior LED lights, and maybe a few
> hours of radio. Would a 30 watt solar panel be enough to keep the battery
> charged or would a 60/100Watt be needed? I also have yet to camp "off grid"
> for more than 3 days in a row
>
> Thanks - John.
>
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