RE: A Solar Question
Solar is not a reliable source of power especially with the number of panels you have.
Those panels will do a great job. There are waay more sunny days than cloudy, and on cloudy days I fully agree with you. I had 1 single 120W panel for nearly a year, and in most cases, my two T-105's were nearly fully charged. The addition of a second 120W panel almost guaranteed fully charged batteries by noon, and recently I very nearly stole a GREAT deal on a third panel.
A generator will make power anytime - solar will not.
Jim
Sure a genny will make power anytime, but the addition of solar will lessen the amount of hours, and maintenance required for a generator.
I can go about my play time, and not have to "stick around" waiting for the batteries to charge. I also enjoy the asolute silence of the panels doing their job.
Solar is a convience thing, and if you don't have them, you likely wouldn't understand.
RE: Instrument Cluster Replacement
Don't think I would give you anyone's name, much less their extension numbers, (Yes I have them), with that attitude you have.
It's all about finessing your way through the system. Customer service is obviously not your strong point. Bad attitude will get you no where.
Sorry, I won't/can't help you.
RE: Instrument Cluster Replacement
The newer replacement clusters, have an orange background, and slightly larger LCD displays, that make them easier to read. The Worknorse forum, over on IRV2.com has a number of threads about this very subject.
RE: We're staying pretty warm without using propane!
We mostly dry camp. The TC and FW haven't seen a 110 plug in so long that I forgot where they are. :W
Thank You.... that's what I'm talk'n about!!
Turn the coach to face N-S, so the sun warms the sides, during the daylight, all doors/windows closed, to keep the heat in, silver reflective insulation in the windows @ nite to keep the cold out, foam insulation inside the roof vents to keep the cold out, AM coffee by perk coffee maker helps reheat the interior. It's dry camping, the way it's supposed to be! OHH, YEAA!
RE: Workhorse 8.1 chev.
Go to the other side of the engine cylinder heads. There is a threaded plug there, in the same location that is perfect for you to use, if I remember correctly. Otherwise, a replacement thermostat housing w/a threaded hole could work also.
RE: Solar Panel Installation
Mfg a mount that attachs to your roof rack, or, I've seen folk's make an attacement that looks, and attachs like a surfboard rack, that is, it clamps to the roof rails, and has no holes thru the roof. Gotta B creative, and as 2OM said, 60 watts won't accomplish much, been there, done that.
RE: Magnetek upgrade or solar or both?
Yep, I'm w/ C&G. Another battery, (2-6V Deep Cycles if possible), and NO LESS than 125W of solar, or larger if you have the real estate on the roof. Listen, your out camping, and want to enjoy yourself, so why scrimp on power supply?
I started out w/a single 120 W panel, and in less than 3 outings, was installing another 120W panel. My family is very frugal w/12V power consumption, and we/I found that in any sort of shade, or overcast sky's, the charge rate dropped off significantly enough, that the batteries were not fully charging.
So try a set of batteries, and a solar array prior to convertor change out.
RE: AGW 3
Got the tunes covered this weekend. 1000 Watt Yamaha amp and Subwoofer, running thru my Laptop. Aout 2K tunes, a mix of 80's 90's, Country, and Comedy, (and some nasty comedy at that)!!
............Unless Sean (Hooligan 2) pays us a visit.....:R
RE: SATELLITE DISH QUESTION
.... and yes the home receiver will work just fine. You may not receive the local channels, if you travel outside your geographic "local area", but a subscription to distant networks can be had by contacting the service provider.
RE: What's wrong with my RV
you have a bad coil pack on one of the sparkplugs.very common problem for ford.
On a 7.5??...:h
On a 6.8 V-10 probably, but a 7.5 still has a distributor, doesn't it?
(excuse the confusion, as I'm a career GM Master tech, not so hot on the FoMoCo products).
I'm thinking EGR or even toasted ignition wires.
RE: Radiator Problems
I wouldn't recommend buying a radiator from the manufacturer. Too much mark-up.
Rather, go to a reputable radiator shop and let them recommend the best path to pursue. More than likely, it will be repairable, given the age/mileage, and FARRR less $$$$$.
RE: solar panels
Just to try to tease out a little more infomation for the good of the discussion... (already some good info - that didn't include "use the search feature.")
2. Has anyone had any problems covering up areas of the roof which made it less convenient to move around up there or get to important areas?
3. Did you have to move or eliminate something on the roof, like the Winegard crank-up TV antenna?
4. Any weight problems? (don't know how much panels weigh.)
5. If one rarely does off-grid camping, is there any reason to have something anyway - such as emergency preparedness?
6. If one only has two 6V batteries, is one 120 watt panel probably enough?
Thanks for letting me horn in here.
#2 No problems here. Except, if I get in a hurry putting on the Addco cover, the sharp corners of the panels will snag and tear the cover.
#3. No here also. Still plenty of room.
#4 My 3 panels are only 40lbs each or so, and I have the basement A/C, so it's a non-issue.
#5 I imagine if a catistrophic earth quake or something knocked out all power for a number of weeks, and gasoline was unavailable for the same period, (UNLIKELY) the use of a generator could be problematic
#6 I still have 2 6V batteries. They are nearly always @ float level by 10 AM, I can run the invertor/TV/surround all day, if I wanted, and the panels are more than able to supply enough current to maintain float level.
As mentioned previously, yea a single panel does an excellent job during the summer month's, when the sun is nearly directly overhead, but winter sun is a different animal. Charge rates are diminished by a guesstimate of 30-40%.
RE: solar panels
The purchase location is not as important as the product being sold. So some homework will be in order. I shopped around, did lot's of reading, and settled on Kyocera Brand panels. 3 @ 120 watts each, but not all at once. Other name brands that are quality products would include Mitsubishi, Sharp, Kyocera, Suntech etc. All offer solid silicon ingot construction for the best efficiency, and 25 year warrantees.
Charge controllers should be carefully considered. You will want a MPPT controller, capable of future growth, (panel additions), and mounting location is an important consideration. Some brands have the main controller mountable in an out of the way location, such as a storage bay, and then a small satellite display that can be mounted inside the passenger compartment, so as not to hatchet the cabinetry to death. In my estimation, the Xantrex and Outback brands are head and shoulders above the others. My package deal included a controller, mfg by an alternative company, and the satellite display is not an option, so I am considering a switch to the Xantrex, after the first of the year.
Just do some homework, and know what is being offered out there. It makes for a wise purchase.
RE: California RV Parks
Might try Golden Shores here in Long Beach. Tons of shops, restaurants, and it's clean & quiet.
.......and this Thousand Trails deal looks very tempting also.
RE: Best way to mount solar panels?
I'm thinking, as flat as possible. That is how I mounted mine. If half of them were tilted away from each other, the total light gathering capability would be cut by 50%, depending on the position of the sun.
There are those that prefer tilting mounts, and that works well for some, but for me, wind is a big concern, and I don't need to come back to an RV after a day away, only to find my expensive investment all over the ground, or worse, was on the ground, then stolen while I was away.
I have played with plastic refective surfaces, and noticed large gains in charge rates, but the ability to follow the sun proves challenging.
Best of luck in your decision. I don't think there is any right or wrong way to mount them. You will likely get many different responses.
