Date:         Sun, 30 Jun 2013 05:55:32 -0400
Reply-To:     Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Solar Power
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

        "While driving"  the alternator is sufficient for charging all your batteries, having the solar panel add to the charging does nothing.  Below are links to solar panels I just put on my new to me motor home and also put one of them on Karl Ws Westy roof while out in Pheonix, <http://frankcondelli.com/travels/?p=984>   These 100w panels are cheap and work so well you will be surprised.  I have a 130w Kyocera panel on my Westy that's been there for several years now, paid something like $1000 for the whole set-up, panel, Morningside controller, connectors and wiring, enough to install and make up three 33' foot extensions.  The new panels I just got out-perform this old panel by far, at first light the panel is putting out power, not so with my old Kyocera.  Solar panel technology has come a long way and it's not over yet !  My advice, get the biggest panel you can afford, bigger is better, even if you "think" you don't need it YOU DO !  Remember these things produce electricity with the sun and the sun is unreliable !  Plus the angle of the sun on your panel is not going to always be optimum so BIGGER is better.

http://www.windynation.com/products/solar/solar-panel-kits
and
http://www.windynation.com/products/solar/solar-panels



On 2013-06-30, at 12:00 AM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:

> Thanks for the great answers everyone. Although I like the thought of having=
> a larger 100W panel, I want to keep the roof clear for a potential future r=
> oof rack to add other "toys". I also like the idea that a smaller one can be=
> somewhat hidden inside the luggage rack.
> I did look in to the removable panels that can be set-up elsewhere in the di=
> rect sunlight but I would rather have it permanantly attached to take advant=
> age of the sun while driving. I do use the original dometic fridge on propan=
> e which works fine for me so my other electric needs aren't that great but w=
> ill definitely look for more than a 30W panel now



Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 06 ~ 09, 2013