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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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FNGRUVN Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2007 Posts: 2237 Location: Fort Collins, CO
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 8:05 am Post subject: |
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That's just what I need. Awesome! That would work for my Edgestar fridge, as well. For when I want to plug it in outside the van. _________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16508 Location: Brookeville, MD
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yycwesty Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 403 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:35 am Post subject: |
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So Huston
How are you going to use these in your solar install..Any pics..I'm just collecting the parts for my solar install and TFridge so any help you could provide would be appreciated
Cheers
Al |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 11:02 am Post subject: |
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yycwesty wrote: |
So Huston
How are you going to use these in your solar install..Any pics..I'm just collecting the parts for my solar install and TFridge so any help you could provide would be appreciated
Cheers
Al |
I havent bought one yet but I thought about ordering one and mounting it on the roof of my Westy so when I do place my solar panel on the roof it can plug in nice and cleanly. right now i have a roof mount but not wiring options yet... _________________ Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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yycwesty Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 403 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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I've ordered the luggage rack solar panels. That would work well to have a plug and then if I wish to take them from the rack and put on the ground I could just unplug it and have a similar plug on the side of the van..Hmmmmm |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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thatvwbusguy Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Newmarket, New Hampshire
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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These plugs are also known as "RV roof connectors" they are available at many RV supply stores. Be sure to seal the base well with butyl rubber or silicone to avoid leaks that could soak your canvas when driving in heavy rain if you mount it on the poptop.
Another good mounting location for small portable solar panels is in whichever side inlet (city water for me) you use the least. This location can also be used as a convenient power source for exterìor lights, air compessors etc. _________________ Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion. |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16508 Location: Brookeville, MD
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yycwesty Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 403 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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That sounds like a great location on the side.
So when you have the wires plugged into this outlet, is it coonsidered waterproof at the outlet. The reason I ask is that most of the time my solar panel would be mounted on my luggage so it would be plugged into that outlet which would be under the solar panel mounted somewhere on one of the inside walls of the luggage rack. if it rains would that plug be waterproof when connected to the solar panel and not short out my system |
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 4002 Location: Maine
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Steelhead Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Kentfield, CA
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TommyBoyGomes Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2005 Posts: 1531 Location: L.A./Dublin, Irl
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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very cool, thanks for sharing. _________________ 1969 Squareback, 1776cc
1990 Vanagon Multivan |
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yycwesty Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 403 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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Those look good and waterproof when connected..great |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16508 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 4002 Location: Maine
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thatvwbusguy Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Newmarket, New Hampshire
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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The simple equation to find amperage is Amps = Volts x Watts, so a 3A plug @ 12V would only be good for a 36W solar panel maximum.
The SAE connector shown at the top of the post uses 12AWG wire, which will carry 20A (240W) continuously without a problem. This should handle most solar panels that would be installed on the roof of a Vanagon.
I never use the term "waterproof", since it is just begging to be proven wrong. I go with "water resistant" or "weather resistant" instead.
The SAE connector will be equally (if not more) water resistant than the other 2 prong plug. Since water acts as an electrical conductor, if either plug is completely submerged, it could short out. Of course if this plug is on your van and it is completely submerged, an electrical short at the solar panel hookup is probably the least of your worries.
Since one of the most common uses of the SAE style connector is the flat 4 plugs found on boat trailers, I would say that they have a well proven track record for "weather resistance". _________________ Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion. |
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yycwesty Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 403 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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Busguy
Thanks for your wealth of knowledge..Looks like its the first plug then for my 80 watt solar panel |
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teej Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2010 Posts: 897 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:08 am Post subject: |
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I have been using the OP pictured connector for several years on our portable solar panels, up to 130 watts. Pictured is a 60watt. _________________ 1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans |
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