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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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 Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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I have sort of figured out my configuration.
A pair of 20 watt panels. Wired in series or parallel, not sure yet, but they fit the rack.
A cheap 10 Amp MPPT controller.
A "Marine" battery with a calculated AMP HOUR capacity of about 60. NOTE: This is way less than the listed reserve capacity on the battery, which is not realistic for fixed based lower amperage drain, I know!
This all is under $200 and is "good enough" for my uses. Translation, it fits my needs, budget and I want to play with something to see how it works out.
There are these locally available 48V 50W panels I can get for a deal to try too later as a ground mounted array I can try (pair less than $200.)
I think I have met my constraints with this now. I just have to implement it.
(I reserve making a custom fit 60W+ panel still, but it is a lot of effort.)
_________________
"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....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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RBEmerson
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2011
Posts: 2108
Location: SE PA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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Wire the panels in parallel! Do it in series and the voltage to the controller will be double that of one panel. Depending on the controller's specs, that could well smoke the controller. Check the Voc (Voltage open circuit) of the panel and check the controller's maximum input voltage. In series, the Voc's are added together.
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Lord, give me coffee to change the things I can change, and wine to accept the things I can't change. |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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| RBEmerson wrote: |
| Wire the panels in parallel! Do it in series and the voltage to the controller will be double that of one panel. Depending on the controller's specs, that could well smoke the controller. Check the Voc (Voltage open circuit) of the panel and check the controller's maximum input voltage. In series, the Voc's are added together. |
My series Voc would be 22V x 2 for series which is well below the rated 100V the MPPT controller in question is supposed to be able to deal with and charge a 12V lead acid wet battery (in fact, you have a few choices of battery profile too, I think.)
So I get a less wattage (40 instead of 50 or 60) than I wanted but gain some for the MPPT and in low light, I am guessing, I still can be charging a wee bit too. At least, that is my thought for running in series.
_________________
"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....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6243
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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You absolutely want to wire them in parallel, not series. You want to get more amperage out of the panels to charge the batteries quicker, not increase the voltage.
watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N86eHRGRJwQ
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto
Last edited by PDXWesty on Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:48 am; edited 2 times in total |
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kuleinc
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2007
Posts: 1604
Location: East Bay Area, California
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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My install in the luggage rack per above request.
My mounting is all bar stock, fasteners and PVC irrigation end caps for stand offs - all from Home Depot.
NO holes are drilled for this install!
_________________
"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....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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| dobryan wrote: |
Looks nice. 
If no holes were drilled what keeps it from bouncing around on rough roads? |
Toggles in the corner drain holes!
Look close at the pictures......
_________________
"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....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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rumitcu
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2008
Posts: 97
Location: Boulder, CO
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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I have two 50W panels in that area with a custom mount that allows me to quickly remove each of them to be repositioned somewhere else. The panels are from Ramsond. I am assuming that the dimensions are still correct and they will still fit the cargo area.
http://www.amazon.com/Ramsond-Monocrystalline-Photovoltaic-Battery-Charging/dp/B0068WCCHS
I was planning to do a video showing them in action, but I just haven't gotten around to that in almost 2 years 
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85 Westy with Bostig V2.0 & private beta turbo
Boulder, CO |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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| rumitcu wrote: |
I have two 50W panels in that area with a custom mount that allows me to quickly remove each of them to be repositioned somewhere else. The panels are from Ramsond. I am assuming that the dimensions are still correct and they will still fit the cargo area.
http://www.amazon.com/Ramsond-Monocrystalline-Photovoltaic-Battery-Charging/dp/B0068WCCHS
I was planning to do a video showing them in action, but I just haven't gotten around to that in almost 2 years
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That's neat.
But, you can see them from the side of the van.
I wanted stealth......
You can not see mine from the side of the van.
They maintain my golf cart batteries, but do not supply a whole lot at only 60 watts.
Is that 50 watts per panel for 100 watts or do the 2 panels combined produce 50 watts total?
_________________
"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....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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backyard_cnc
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2012
Posts: 385
Location: MANITOBA CANADA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 12:22 am Post subject: |
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Does it generate enough power to cool all that beer in the fridge?  |
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WestiCoast
Samba Member
Joined: June 25, 2012
Posts: 194
Location: Oceanside Ca
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| Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:18 am Post subject: |
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I think in CO the beer stays colder on the roof.  |
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Syncronoid
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012
Posts: 1111
Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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| Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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What are toggles??
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'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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purplegodzilla
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2006
Posts: 253
Location: Duluth, Georgia
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| Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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Where did you buy the panels and what are the measurements of each panel? Also how much were each panels if you don't mind sharing.
_________________
1995 Eurovan Camper (SOLD)
1971 Westfalia (SOLD)
1991 Westfalia (SOLD)
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/purpleGORILLA/P1020720.jpg
1985 Westfalia |
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Syncronoid
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012
Posts: 1111
Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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| Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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| purplegodzilla wrote: |
| Where did you buy the panels and what are the measurements of each panel? Also how much were each panels if you don't mind sharing. |
+1
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'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 8:29 am Post subject: |
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| Syncronoid wrote: |
| purplegodzilla wrote: |
| Where did you buy the panels and what are the measurements of each panel? Also how much were each panels if you don't mind sharing. |
+1 |
+2
There are many folks who could benefit from info on a full luggage rack sol'n.
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'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17117
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:15 am Post subject: |
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| Syncronoid wrote: |
| What are toggles?? |
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Syncronoid
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012
Posts: 1111
Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:37 am Post subject: |
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| rsxsr wrote: |
| Syncronoid wrote: |
| What are toggles?? |
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Thx!
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'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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