I've got a AM100-22B system. It's a 100 watt panel with the HPV-22B controller. I run the new panel with the factory 80 watt panel on a combiner I mounted on the aluminum mount for the factory panel. It seems to keep a good charge on my batteries in most weather. The controller has the normal buttons...voltage, array amps, charging amps, MPPT control, on/off, and a dry camp or shore power switch. The highest charge I see regularly (from about 12 to 4pm) is 9.42 amps. I mounted the new panel on the Yakima rack up top. I got the bar adapters from the local Yakima dealer.
I spoke with Dave at AMSolar a few times with questions and concerns and he was always helpful and knowledgeable. I think I got AMSolar's name from jimandsue and I think I got the mounting idea from Mooney. I had this system installed on my 1030 and then moved it to my 1131. I've had the system about 2 years.
'07 Lance 1131
'04 Weldcraft Sabre
'06 F-550 PSD-4DR-4WD Rear air-ride and a Gear Vendor
Boatycall wrote: Not an option. My coffee maker and I have a history. It's a Seattle thing, you wouldn't understand...
Ah, but I do, and go to any Starbucks, and ask them if Malita coffee is the best. They'll even grind the beans to a "Malita" grind. By far, no doubt, undisputed, goes without saying, say no more, say no more, Malita is the way to go. I need another cup of java. WHERE'S MY CUP?
I've got a AM100-22B system. It's a 100 watt panel with the HPV-22B controller. I run the new panel with the factory 80 watt panel on a combiner I mounted on the aluminum mount for the factory panel. It seems to keep a good charge on my batteries in most weather. The controller has the normal buttons...voltage, array amps, charging amps, MPPT control, on/off, and a dry camp or shore power switch. The highest charge I see regularly (from about 12 to 4pm) is 9.42 amps. I mounted the new panel on the Yakima rack up top. I got the bar adapters from the local Yakima dealer.
I spoke with Dave at AMSolar a few times with questions and concerns and he was always helpful and knowledgeable. I think I got AMSolar's name from jimandsue and I think I got the mounting idea from Mooney. I had this system installed on my 1030 and then moved it to my 1131. I've had the system about 2 years.
Quote:
Thank you for sharing the pictures they really tell a lot. I like the attachments. I have bars to give.
Do you have the Lance option solar panel on the roof too?
I can't help with a dealer recommendation as I got my setup (3-90W panels, mounts and Solar Boost2000 controller) from a friend, that got them as salvage (theft recovery after insurance had already paid) from some company's outdoor project.
As far as panels go, since most are roughly the same size once you get to the 80ish watt range, with your lack of available roof real estate I would suggest getting a 120ish watt panel to maximize your limited space. One thing with solar is that there is really no thing as "too much". What's overkill on a bright sunny day becomes just enough when the weather turns or your camping spot is less then optimal.
A controller with MPPT will also help maximize your panels output as it clamps the voltage to allow a higher amp output to your batteries (amps are inversely proportional to voltage).
I have had good dealings with No. AZ Wind and Solar too. I got my 2 Kyocera 85W panels Solar Boost controller and all the goodies from them. Over the phone, they went down a checklist to figure out what I needed, and didn't try to oversell my on anything. I also found the company in Victorville, CA to be very knowledgeable and helpful, but they didn't have anything[\i] in stock at the time.
A key concern is to look at what space you have available on the roof, as I almost ordered the 135W panels which would not have fit. Also, I found a useful measure was to divide the panel's area by the output to determine the most efficient panels. There are cheaper panels out there but they produce substantially less power for the real estate they occupy.
"I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks." Daniel Boone
alan s wrote: If your coffee maker is the culprit, I suggest going the Melita route.
I have been using this for the last 5 years. You don't use any power, only your stove to heat water to a boil.....then pour the water slowly in the Melita coffee urn. It isn't an automatic operation, but, hey, anything worth having is worth working for! I get about 5 cups out of my Melita......probably 5 more than my doctor would like me to have!........but, he doesn't camp with me!
Ditto on this idea. We use a coffee funnel and drain it right into a stainless steel thermos bottle. Stays hot all day and we save the power for something else. ...Arizona Wind and Sun has been helpful to me in the past.
2007 F-350 SRW 6.0L Auto CC SB 4X4
2006 Outfitter Apex 8, 220W Solar and 3 AGM's
Just a quick overview ot the things I regularly power off the inverter--
(these are the draw-numbers off the bottom/back of each)
Toaster - 900 watts
Stand-alone Icemaker - 500 watts
Coffee maker - 900 watts
Espresso maker - 900
Microwave - 1150
LCD tv - 85
Sat Rx - 65
Stereo - 12v, guessing 20a constant due to amplifiers
Lights - of course, just depends
Now, like I mentioned at the start, my 4 trojans go 3 days being a total power hog, 4 if I'm nice. Just to give an idea how much I hate generator noise, my TC is an '03, and the gen has 4.5 hours on it.
I like the setup above that TSJA's got so far, 9.4 amps from one panel. What sort of output can you expect on a typical Seattle cloudy day? I'm guessing dramatically less?
Boatycall wrote: Just a quick overview ot the things I regularly power off the inverter--
(these are the draw-numbers off the bottom/back of each)
Toaster - 900 watts
Stand-alone Icemaker - 500 watts
Coffee maker - 900 watts
Espresso maker - 900
Microwave - 1150
LCD tv - 85
Sat Rx - 65
Stereo - 12v, guessing 20a constant due to amplifiers
Lights - of course, just depends
Now, like I mentioned at the start, my 4 trojans go 3 days being a total power hog, 4 if I'm nice. Just to give an idea how much I hate generator noise, my TC is an '03, and the gen has 4.5 hours on it.
I like the setup above that TSJA's got so far, 9.4 amps from one panel. What sort of output can you expect on a typical Seattle cloudy day? I'm guessing dramatically less?
I guess the question isn't what will the solar panels do for you in Seattle... it's what will they do for you when you are away from seattle.
If I remember correctly your beach property has shore power... and of course you can plug in at home.
Where do you plan on traveling to... and be using light to provide electricity?
Since you are a young guy your decision is a long term one... you can take the panels with you for future rigs.
I too liked the lesson link on the AM Solar's link.
AM Solar will have Gov't solar incidence maps especially for your area... I have looked at them for north america from online googled sources.
The 9.4amps is from 2 panels...the factory 80 watt and the AM Solar 100 watt. This number only exists for a few hours every day. The common numbers are 4 to 6 for non-peak hour, dropping to 0 towards sunset. These numbers are from the beach we camp at frequently. I know you'll like the solar, I'm just not sure how many panels you'll need to keep yourself happy.
Call AMSolar. I'm sure they can give you the info you need.
Here's a pic showing both panels. Factory one is right above the bed.
The 9.4amps is from 2 panels...the factory 80 watt and the AM Solar 100 watt. This number only exists for a few hours every day. The common numbers are 4 to 6 for non-peak hour, dropping to 0 towards sunset. These numbers are from the beach we camp at frequently. I know you'll like the solar, I'm just not sure how many panels you'll need to keep yourself happy.
Call AMSolar. I'm sure they can give you the info you need.
Here's a pic showing both panels. Factory one is right above the bed.
Offline
