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joseph928
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2011
Posts: 2114
Location: flagstaff az.
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 Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: anderison |
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| Sodo wrote: |
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANDERSON-CONNECTOR-SB50-6A...1e61275dc4
| joseph928 wrote: |
-You need two
-they're interchangeable
-polarized can't put it together wrong
-these are about the size of a match book:D |
Perfect! Thanks
Gotta wonder why the eBay poster didn't think that info was important.
Dimensions: 1-7/8" x 1-7/16" x 5/8" |
Here it is. 
_________________
1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug. |
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DaveMag
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2013
Posts: 2
Location: AZ
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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| r39o wrote: |
Grid tie panels are out there plenty.
My mppt controller can handle up to 150 volts of solar input, for example.
The advantage is availability and the size of wire used is smaller because there is less current and hence less loss. |
"Grid tie" panels run a far higher voltage. Mine are peaking at 70V and more.
Our small systems on the vans are quite sensitive to loses, so we maximize, best we can, with the right wire and highly efficient charge controllers. Our panels, generally, are not optimally sized nor oriented.
What I am stating, for our uses, is that for about the same money you can piece together a better system more suited for our application.
There is nothing wrong with the thread starter system, but you can do better.[/quote]
OK, I see your point. I buy these kits to install them. My customers have the expectation of a new product from a reputable manufacturer. My customers and I want to purchase a solar kit from a company that is going to back-up the product with a warranty and product support. I can’t call the guy on craigslist six weeks later if something goes wrong and get a replacement under warranty. And I can't call yoosmart, which is based in China, to get warranty support on their MPPT controller. But these very well could be good choices for someone doing their own install. |
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J Charlton 
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007
Posts: 1546
Location: The True North Strong and Free
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:54 pm Post subject: solar panel |
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While I really like this kit http://www.sunwindproducts.com/Products/SolarandWindKits/80wattRVkitJuta1500.html I'm sure that it would be cheaper and available without the inverter.
If you poke around their site you'll find adjustable racking so that the panels can be raised or tilted to get maximum efficiency.
I like the idea of using higher voltage panels to minimize energy loss in transmission from panel to battery. Does anyone know if the construction of the higher voltage panels is appropriate for the rigours of traveling?
_________________
NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024 |
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themervino
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2008
Posts: 87
Location: Bryson City NC
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epaddler
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2010
Posts: 222
Location: Slippery Rock
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| Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 7:10 am Post subject: |
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So, seems like a couple of you were about to jump on the Windynation 100 w kit. Any takers? Anything to report?
I haven't been looking for a long time, but the price for the 100w kit and free shipping is cheaper than you can get a 130w or 140w panel by itself. I'd rather have the larger watt panel to run my Truckfridge, but it would be a fairly big price jump, especially for those of us living in the boonies without a close source of panels to avoid shipping costs.
_________________
1989 Syncro Westy
My build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=450246 |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9606
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:36 am Post subject: Re: solar panel |
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| J Charlton wrote: |
| I like the idea of using higher voltage panels to minimize energy loss in transmission from panel to battery. |
Wow. You guys must have big vans. 
The solar dilemma: To park the van in the shade ----> but put the panel in the sun you need an extension cable. Its hard to knock 12v panels for a 12v van especially if it's hard-mounted on the top, which is a 'short wire'. Simple is good and convenient, cheaper.
Extension cord example: for a 100W panel, if you wanted a 30 foot "extension cord" to set the panel 30 feet away from the van (30 feet is probably minimum). Keep in mind that to get 30 feet you need 60 feet of cable.
12v system:
30feet away = 60 feet of wire 12v panel, 100W, 4% loss, need 5ga (1/4" diameter)
50feet away = 100 feet of wire 12v panel, 100W, 4% loss, need 3ga (3/8" diameter)
These are some FAT wires you'd have to buy and carry around, and keep in mind its a 'double' wire. But its SIMPLE, but you don't need a converter. You might be better off spending the money on simple (big) wire, than buying some no-name electronic box from china. Copper is heavy and expensive, aluminum wire may be better for carrying around. I did not look up the cost of wire but 3ga copper might cost $1.50 per foot that's $150 of wire. Consider to buy a bigger panel and accept some losses. Aluminum will be less.
Compare to 48v:
30 feet (=60), 48v panel, 100W, 4% loss, need 16ga (standard lamp cord)
50 feet (=100), 48v panel, 100W, 4% loss, need 14ga (heavier lamp cord)
For gathering sunlight on an extension cord, note that 48v makes it much easier to deal with the cable. But you have to buy and service the components and hassle and loss of going to 120v then converting back to 12v for the van. 48v and a bigger panel to cover the losses is not a bad way to go.
Another way:
Convert to 120vac out at the panel (12v or 48v) and send 120vac back to the van using a standard extension cord!
The bigger panel takes more effort to carry around but takes less babysitting (adjusting for sun angle) to get the amps you need. It's compelling when gathering sunlight to not waste ANY of it, but with the price of panels coming down, you can buy a bigger panel and waste "some".
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Vinzanto
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2012
Posts: 247
Location: Kansas City
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| Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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| epaddler wrote: |
So, seems like a couple of you were about to jump on the Windynation 100 w kit. Any takers? Anything to report?
I haven't been looking for a long time, but the price for the 100w kit and free shipping is cheaper than you can get a 130w or 140w panel by itself. I'd rather have the larger watt panel to run my Truckfridge, but it would be a fairly big price jump, especially for those of us living in the boonies without a close source of panels to avoid shipping costs. |
I have recently installed this kit on my Westy and so far it is working great since you asked. |
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gwh611
Samba Member
Joined: March 15, 2005
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 11:49 am Post subject: |
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| Vinzanto wrote: |
| I have recently installed this kit on my Westy and so far it is working great since you asked. |
Is the panel permanently mounted, or do you remove it while driving? |
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