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shadetreemech
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2005
Posts: 777
Location: Claremont, CA
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7925
Location: Arizona
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 Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2019 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Renogy Solar Panel Sale |
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I've got their first iteration of the suitcase panel... still going strong. Although, I removed the charge controller, installed it inside the van, and permanently connected the panel wires. The controller is wired to the battery (didn't want to deal with alligator clips), and the panels get connected to the controller via Anderson connector in the former city water hookup box.
I did the same thing for my parents' van, except bought the suitcase version without controller (bought controller separately), and used GW's solar hookup box. Built the whole thing at home; when I arrived at their van, installation was practically plug-n-play.
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9810
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9618
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2019 2:13 pm Post subject: Re: Renogy Solar Panel Sale |
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| Ahwahnee wrote: |
| Does it fit in the well of the luggage rack (assuming you park pointing south)? |
Heres appx dims of the flat floor area.
It gets a little bigger as you rise up out of the rounded corners.
Looks like it will fit in the middle of the cargo area while folded up, then certainly fits when opened and up on the stand.
_________________
'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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Howesight
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2008
Posts: 3274
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2019 2:25 pm Post subject: Re: Renogy Solar Panel Sale |
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My Renogy 100W folding panel fit nicely:
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX |
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Ride-Fly
Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2015
Posts: 621
Location: PDX
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| Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2019 9:14 pm Post subject: Re: Renogy Solar Panel Sale |
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| So I know nothing of electricity. I just got GW’s Aux Batt kit with the LiFePo battery. Next I need solar panels, and was thinking Goal Zero. But if I want permanent panels, I need something like Renogy right? But wondering why bigger isn’t better. To charge a house battery, you need a 12V system, but why wouldn’t Renogy’s 300W 12V system be better for the off-grid Vanagon? Is it just overkill? If it’s overkill, what is the optimum system to go with? Thanks. |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7925
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2019 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: Renogy Solar Panel Sale |
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| Ride-Fly wrote: |
| But wondering why bigger isn’t better. To charge a house battery, you need a 12V system, but why wouldn’t Renogy’s 300W 12V system be better for the off-grid Vanagon? |
It all depends what your system needs; each van requires its own setup. For me, a 50Ah aux battery that simply powers a 12V fridge, LED lights, faucet pump, and occasional phone charging, 100W/120W* works just dandy... 300W would be overkill.
*I've got the 100W Renogy suitcase and a 120W Solar Blvd. flex panel... which one I use depends on where I am.
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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shadetreemech
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2005
Posts: 777
Location: Claremont, CA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2019 5:32 am Post subject: Re: Renogy Solar Panel Sale |
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I carry my Suitcase setup in the space behind the bunk mattress, safe from the elements.
I chose the portable option so I could position panels toward the Sun at the optimum angle. The extension cord, with MC4 connectors, adds to the versatility.
Dan
_________________
'84 GL 1.9
'01 Volvo V70 T5
'88 Westy - "MZDRTHY" |
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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2019 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Renogy Solar Panel Sale |
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Just get a 100 watt flexible panel. Light weight, easily stores under the top bunk cushions when traveling.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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