Date:         Fri, 27 Jun 1997 10:33:17 +0000
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Karl Bloss" <blosskf@ttown.apci.com>
Subject:      Re: Block Heaters and other stuff

JC Whitney has solar panels.  I got mine from Damark, one of those 
mail order liquidation companies.  It's a 5W (about 1/2 amp since it 
runs at 16V) panel that's maybe 12"x16" that came with battery clips 
for under $70.  I use it to charge my deep cycle battery, which I'll 
be installing soon.  Also, my cranking battery is weak and I suspect 
I have a power drain somewhere, so it keeps it topped up.  

I don't have a charging cut-off, so I manually check the voltage,
etc.  From what I have heard, it _is_ possible to cook off your
battery with a trickler charger if it has no overcharge protector.

The panel has countersunk holes for permanent installation and are 
allegedly weatherproof.  I have not tested to that extent.

-Karl

> Also, I saw a solar panel attached to the top of a vanagon the 
> other day.  Would this be used for battery charging or maybe just
> aux power for toys?  Any thoughts on uses, $$$ for solar panels?
> 
Karl F. Bloss - blosskf@ttown.apci.com
'87 Vanagon GL Weekender "Beverley"
http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/