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blemon
Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2014
Posts: 106
Location: WV
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 Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 7:50 am Post subject: if you have the suitcase solar panels? |
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How do you lock it up?
Wondering if you would lock it to your luggage rack with a bike lock or something?
We would like something portable like the suitcase solar but when staying at state parks and stuff, we typically leave the van open so it doesn't get too hot -- like if we're heading over the dunes for a swim or something.
We otherwise carry nothing of value with us while camping -- just phones which come with us. |
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ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:12 am Post subject: |
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Fwiw... Yakima sells locking straps that are nylon coated over steel. GW sells larger stainless brackets for the luggage rack.
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:22 am Post subject: |
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Are you planning on using the panels to recharge your aux batteries? If so Renogy sells 100-120W suitcase panels for less than GW's 80W panels. If you are only using your panel to recharge cell phones etc... Goal Zero sells excellent 20W panels that fold up the size of an iPad. Don't forget about RMW's under seat locking steel safe for other valuables.
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:59 am Post subject: |
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I am not sure if you have a pop top?
But you could fold it up and place it behind the upper cushion then close and latch the top. Not secure, but out of sight. 
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 9:25 am Post subject: |
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mine travels inside on top of the engine lid-rear bed cushion
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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blemon
Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2014
Posts: 106
Location: WV
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 10:57 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the tips!
We don't have the solar yet -- still shopping around. This is great info.
Just need to charge up an iphone and keep the fridge running. That's all we use the electric for.
I'm so excited to not have to deal with ice when we are away from power! We're getting a new fridge soon. |
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gbrandt
Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2006
Posts: 590
Location: Calgary
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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We had it under the rear seat, which is lockable on our van, but moved it to the cabinet because it was wasting space (fit was not great).
I put in a UBOLT that I lock it to in the cabinet.
Gregor
_________________
'Lucky' our 1987 Red Westy, ALH 1.9 TDI
We've driven in 49 countries and 5 continents to date
Canada to Argentina and back, 2015 to 2017.
Canada to Europe and back (including Turkey, Morocco and Iceland), 2017 to 2019
Mexico 2022-2023
https://www.instagram.com/live.travel.play/
http://livetravelplay.ca |
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Kombi Dad
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2011
Posts: 44
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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| I carry my panels in the trailer that I tow but when in camp and I am leaving for a bush walk, I leave the panels out but use a light weight chain to tether them. I lock one end to the panels where I have drilled a suitable hole for the padlock in the frame. The other end I loop around the bull bar or convenient tree depending where the panels are at the time and lock the chain with a second padlock. Note I have extended the lead on the panels so that I can position them a long way from the vehicle if necessary. The lead is heavy guage and about 60 feet in length. |
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ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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| blemon wrote: |
Thanks for the tips!
We don't have the solar yet -- still shopping around. This is great info.
Just need to charge up an iphone and keep the fridge running. That's all we use the electric for.
I'm so excited to not have to deal with ice when we are away from power! We're getting a new fridge soon. |
You'll want the full 100W Renogy suitcase panel to keep your fridge going.
http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Foldable-Suitcase-Bat...enogy+100w
1. Are you planning on replacing the OEM Dometic fridge in it's original location or getting a cooler/chest style fridge?
2. How many aux batteries do you have? What type?
3. Solenoid (GW style) battery combiner or Blue Seas / Yandina type combiner? The latter will make connecting solar easier and are generally considered superior to solenoid combiner.
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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blemon
Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2014
Posts: 106
Location: WV
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 4:01 am Post subject: |
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| ThankYouJerry wrote: |
You'll want the full 100W Renogy suitcase panel to keep your fridge going.
http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Foldable-Suitcase-Bat...enogy+100w
1. Are you planning on replacing the OEM Dometic fridge in it's original location or getting a cooler/chest style fridge?
2. How many aux batteries do you have? What type?
3. Solenoid (GW style) battery combiner or Blue Seas / Yandina type combiner? The latter will make connecting solar easier and are generally considered superior to solenoid combiner. |
1. We either going to go with the TF-49 or the CF-51.
2. We have 1 Aux battery under the seat. I don't remember the brand but it can be taken out to start the engine in an emergency.
3. No combiner yet. We haven't gotten that far in the research but will check these out. There is so much info it's a bit overwhelming. The van came with the GoWesty aux setup and we won't be changing it anytime soon.
Thanks! |
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