Date:         Fri, 28 Jun 2013 15:57:25 -0400
Reply-To:     J B <jbever@EXCITE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         J B <jbever@EXCITE.COM>
Subject:      Solar Power
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Hi everyone. I was hoping to get feedback and ideas from anyone that has loo=
ked 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 t=
he luggage rack of my Westy which measures approx 19"x45". I don't use the l=
uggage 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 i=
s 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=3DLH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=3Ditem3f22d4c6f8=


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 r=
adio.  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 th=
an 3 days in a row

Thanks - John.