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Date:         Wed, 9 Oct 2013 10:39:03 -0600
Reply-To:     Miguel Pacheco <mundopacheco@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Miguel Pacheco <mundopacheco@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Mounting Solar Panel on a Westy
Comments: To: mark drillock <mdrillock@cox.net>
In-Reply-To:  <52557B6D.1020309@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

It's really very simple....Reduce your needs, use LEDs and an efficient refrigerator and controller, then do the math and give yourself three to four times the storage required. No stereo or TV. Just an ocean view and the sound of the pounding waves.

Miguel

On Wed, Oct 9, 2013 at 9:51 AM, mark drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:

> So the answer to the inadequacies of solar is to buy ever more of it and > cover the roof, then carry some extra panels to spread around the camp > on long leashes? Then put a couple hundred pounds of battery in the > interior storage spaces, and do the solar panel shuffle every day to try > to make the best of things? Kinda makes one long for a 3 way fridge again. > > Mark > > Barry Cotter wrote: > >> I agree with Neil... >> >> Having a 150w or 200w panel fixed to your roof and then a second mobile >> 50w to chase the sun when necessary seems like a good solution. If using >> an MPPT controller, I'm told it won't properly function with two panels of >> different size, but apparently will function at least as a PWM controller. >> >> If time permits, my winter project is to fix a 190w panel to the roof and >> then a quick connect port elsewhere for the mobile panel, possibly at the >> city water hookup entry as I don't use it any more. I've got 2x6v AGMs >> under the back seat and panels much smaller are going to struggle in the >> PNW... Maybe in the open of the Baja but not here. If I bring my batteries >> down to near 50% it can take my shore charger a couple days to get them >> back up to full charge. >> >> I've seen folks mount and dismount a 150w panel to their roof and attach >> aluminum struts to provide an angle to the sun and though it was a cool >> solution, it also looked like a chunk of work for short stays, specially >> for a short guy! Longer term it might make sense and all that would be >> necessary is wing nuts instead of lock nuts or the like. >> >> That's my $.02... >> >> Barry >> >> >> On Oct 8, 2013, at 10:20, "Neil N" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> wrote: >>> >>> Not to complicate things but..... >>> >>> In hindsight, especially for PNW conditions, (cloudy) if I had two >>> panels I'd be tempted to hard mount one then use one as a roaming >>> panel to chase the sun. That would all depend on size of panels, draw >>> etc. >>> >>> Neil with 150 mono single panel, cheap 10 Amp PWM controller, >>> Truckfridge, 100 AH battery. >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Oct 8, 2013 at 9:39 AM, Rocket J Squirrel >>> <camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> I have a Vitrifrigo and two 55W panels. The refrigerator's overnight >>>> usage consumes between 19 to 25 amp-hours, depending on ambient temp. >>>> >>> >>> >>> I don't put the panels on the roof as I usually camp in areas where >>>> there are trees and I must move the panels frequently to keep them in >>>> full sun. >>>> >>> >>> >>>


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