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stumpy
Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2007
Posts: 181
Location: york, pa.
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 Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:05 pm Post subject: solar |
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| r390 had a pic of 3 s-panels in his lugage rack some time ago. Has any one seen or know if he shared his install? I too would like to install s-panels in the rack. I am haveing trouble finding panels that fit into the rack. I believe the rack measures somewhere around 46"x 191/2".I would need something like 80 w. maybe I could add a second panel with a piano hinge or something to give me 80 to 100w. El is not my long suit, never was never will be. So much I don't know about installing s- panels , but Iam learning (learning,learning all the time) |
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IdahoDoug
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10357
Location: N. Idaho
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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Not sure what your intentions for the solar energy are, but do your homework to discover just how small the energy is you will actually get after the "real" wattage ends up in your battery. I find it much more cost effective to pay $90 for a quality deep cycle battery for reliable auxiliary power separate from the starting battery. Even a third one can be carried for a fraction of the cost of a poor quality solar setup.
DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: solar |
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| stumpy wrote: |
| r390 had a pic of 3 s-panels in his lugage rack some time ago. Has any one seen or know if he shared his install? |
Sadly those panels are NOT commonly available.
Standard industry sizing of cells makes it hard to produce a panel that fits the Westy luggage rack cutout.
I was in China last month. I am in contact with the manufacturer. We hope to make a two panel setup that fits the rack. Target power is about 50W or so.
50W will allow you float up your house battery, but not enough to constantly recharge your house battery on a daily basis.
That luggage rack is not a strict flat rectangle, also.
Think of an array that fits up there as a stealth battery helper and no more.
For more power I have a 200W portable array I am working in to prop up on the ground for optimal ppwer turning it through out the day.
Nothing is for free.
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
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