Date:         Sun, 17 Oct 1999 12:03:08 MST
Reply-To:     dchris907@JUNO.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Christensen <dchris907@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Interior Lights/rechargeable batteries
Content-Type: text/plain

Has anyone considered the solar battery rechargers found in 'Real Goods'
(http://www.realgoods.com/products/indexBatt.htm) catalogs?  I used one
of these while backpacking the Appalachian Trail three or four years ago.
 When I'd stop for a day every 3 or so, broke it out and it kept the
batteries for my mini mag light recharged, wasn't the greatest setup, but
it worked.

In the perfect world, he could just drop a 45/55w solar panel (with
variable angle mounting brackets) and a charge controller on top of his
roof?  Probably not much more then $500 USD complete and he wouldn't have
to worry about lighting again? Ok, I know, this may not be a perfect
world.  Anywho this may be sacrilegious, but if he swapped out the
incandescent lamp with a fluorescent he'd have more light, and less amp
draw.  Anywho though, Mexico gets lots of sun--usually so anything solar
should work pretty well.

My two bits...

Dave Christensen
Phoenix, Arizona (Yes!!! the heat has broke!!!)
99 VW Jetta TDI
Soon to be owner of an 82 Diesel Westy
98 Diesel Dodge Ram 2500


On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 11:51:38 -0500 Jim Cain <jcain@MINDSPRING.COM>
writes:
> At 10:36 PM -0400 10/16/99, Doug Demarest wrote:
> >I'm about to take off for Mexico in my 86 Vanagon and I'm trying to
> >out a good way to make light in the interior for reading, cooking,
>
> My interior lights run from the main battery and we have been in one
> location several days with no problem.  Also have a cheap D cell
> battery
> camp light that is like flouresent with strap that I hang from the
> top to
> save battery.  It gives better light for reading than the built in
> one and
> D cells are available everywhere.
>
> Jim with Herbie, 85 Westy in Atlanta