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Getting ready for Solar
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Syncro Jael
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Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 7:40 pm    Post subject: Getting ready for Solar Reply with quote

I just finished getting the house bank wired up with the Solar Charge control unit. This is a pretty nice unit that will let me monitor my house bank and let me know amps in and amps out. I can turn on each accessory and see how much it draws to get an idea of how big of a system I need to keep the dual Optima Blue tops charged up.

I also tidied things up with a Blue Sea fuse panel for all the accessory hookups.

I should have the panel installed this week and see how this all works out. Right now I will have a small 28Watt Thin film panel attached to the top of the Thule skybox. Later I will be installing a larger panel. Cool

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euro911
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Joined: May 20, 2007
Posts: 162
Location: So. Cal, So. Bay
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice.

I installed two Renogy 100 watt mono-crystalline panels on the roof, charging a Concorde 12 volt 258 Ah AGM under the rear seat.

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'70 Karmann Ghia Coupe
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Syncro Jael
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Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
Syncro Jael is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 6:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well the Power Film Flexible solar panel arrived today.

I got a size that would fit on the top of the Thule Skybox. 76" x 14". It is a 28 Watt panel.

I bolted through the grommet holes into the top of the Thule. Then I ran a bead of silicone along the inside edges to glue it down.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


It only weighs 1.5lb and I wanted something pretty stealthy up there but still wanted something going into the battery during the day. I am excited to get it installed. The wiring from the box to the panel was easy. I used the 15' wire ran it down through the rubber boot (that the rear hatch wiring goes through) then along the cabinets and upper tray to the solar charge controller.

I left a little slack in the line for opening the box and for raising the pop top.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Other than the wire, you would never know there is a panel making power up there!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)
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