pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi Brian
$150 for 40 watts of panels is highway robbery.
Have a look here:
solar panels
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.
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briantroy
San Diego, CA, USA
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Joined: 05/09/2004
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Holy smokes! Great link, Piano. You just cut my bill in half and saved me $70. I really appreciate that. Think I will go with 2 of these instead:
http://www.solarblvd.com/p1399/Solar-Cynergy-20-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel/product_info.html
That leaves me lots of wiggle room for a nice controller like this:
http://www.solarblvd.com/Charge-Controllers-PWM-Charge-Controllers-Morningstar-Charge-Controllers/c6_48_100/p191/Morningstar-Sunsaver-SS-10-10A,-12V-Pwm-Charge-Controller/product_info.html
Thoughts?
* This post was
edited 03/13/12 09:39pm by briantroy *
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Not that far from SD to drive out and get them to save shipping.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675 watts solar
Send a PM if I missed something
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briantroy
San Diego, CA, USA
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Joined: 05/09/2004
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Norco? Is that right? I will pay the $30 as gas would run me $20 and 3 hours of life.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Yes shipping is not so bad on the smaller panels.
If you did drive I was going to say make an appointment so they would make sure they had the item on site held for you.
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briantroy
San Diego, CA, USA
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Joined: 05/09/2004
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Thanks, S. I appreciate that. It just wouldn't be worth my time, but thank you. I just need a controller now? Everyone here has been so nice, I am really excited about doing this project and I am so impressed with how willing people are to help. I plan on spending the weekend with my Dad doing this and that will be great bonding time. By that I mean I will end up watching his 70 year old Mexican frame do the whole thing and I will hand him tools while my mom tries to feed us. Good times!
* This post was
edited 03/14/12 04:46am by briantroy *
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi Brian,
I'd encourage you to have at least 60 watts per 100 amp-hours of battery bank. If I were in a "single battery" configuration, I'd probably do 150 watts of panel.
Why? Because the solar harvest from 60 is about 23 amp hours per day. Correspondingly 150 watts will garner about 58 amp-hours per day. Those numbers presuppose perfect conditions--so the 150 watts is a lot safer.
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briantroy
San Diego, CA, USA
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Joined: 05/09/2004
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Thanks, Piano. Even though I will probably go with the 150 amp-hour battery, I think a single 100 watt panel is about the max I can afford and still manage in a reasonable manner within the space I have. I plan on either keeping it on the dashboard or mounting on surf racks when not in use (I have direct southern exposure in great San Diego sun) and then pulling it out and adjusting while at camp:
http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Panels-&-Systems-Individual-Solar-Panels-100---170-Watt-(8)/c1_25_42/p1394/Solar-Cynergy-100-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel/product_info.html
I am hoping that most of the juice will get replaced by the alternator/isolator while driving home and the panel is used only to top the bttery off and maintain. Is this sound reasoning? With a 100 watt panel I am now at budget limit. I will have to splurge for a controller. What do you think? Thanks!
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