Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » 12v fans solar and boon docking. ?
| 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174165] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 05:42  |
glacierfl
Messages: 444
Registered: June 2011
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Hello,
Been doing some research into rv/solar, as we plan to fit some sort of system eventually. The thought occured to me of using the rv fans, but switchable to small solar panels, that could drive the fans basically directly. This would not draw any current from the house batteries, if you needed to reserve power on them. So i wonder if anyone is doing this , or is this a rather stupid idea..... ?. I estimate that 2 fantastic fans would use approx 50 Watts.
cheers and beers
Steve & Debbie
Monticello, FL
77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
EX G4WDT
[Updated on: Thu, 21 June 2012 08:31] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174189 is a reply to message #174165] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 10:00  |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
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i think this is a great idea, west marine sells small solar cells the plug into your lighter 12 volt, maybe you could put the cell in the window
with the fan turned off from the dash, and have a cig plug in the roof that you plug in the solar cell and hang it in the window to run it.
Just tie a cig 12 volt to the postive and negative wires after the fan switch and see what happens. The cell that plugs into the lighter
at the dash is to be laid on the dash for sun through the front windshield. it could work. ? good idea i will keep my eye on this one sounds great.
thank you
regards mickey :-)
On Jun 21, 2012, at 3:42 AM, steve & debbie wrote:
>
>
> Hello,
> Been doing some research into rv/solar, as we plan to fit some sort of system eventually. The thought occured to me of using the rv fans, but switchable to small solar panels, that could drive the fans basically directly. This would not draw any current from the house batteries, if you needed to reserve power on them. So i wonder if anyone is doing this , or is this a rather stupid idea..... ?
>
> cheers and beers
> --
> Steve & Debbie
> Monticello, FL
> 77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
> EX G4WDT
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174191 is a reply to message #174165] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 10:24 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Steve & Debbie,
I don’t think it’s a stupid idea, but all that real estate on top of the coach is ideal for a big solar panel. The battery bank is already on board so with the right controller you could power your fans and lights all night long as well as during the day.
I’ll get there someday, but many are there now. Jerry Work calls it living large on 12 volts.
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
On Jun 21, 2012, at 3:42 AM, steve & debbie wrote:
>
>
> Hello,
> Been doing some research into rv/solar, as we plan to fit some sort of system eventually. The thought occured to me of using the rv fans, but switchable to small solar panels, that could drive the fans basically directly. This would not draw any current from the house batteries, if you needed to reserve power on them. So i wonder if anyone is doing this , or is this a rather stupid idea..... ?
>
> cheers and beers
> --
> Steve & Debbie
> Monticello, FL
> 77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
> EX G4WDT
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174192 is a reply to message #174165] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 10:37 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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| glacierfl wrote on Thu, 21 June 2012 03:42 |
Hello,
Been doing some research into rv/solar, as we plan to fit some sort of system eventually. The thought occurred to me of using the rv fans, but switchable to small solar panels, that could drive the fans basically directly. This would not draw any current from the house batteries, if you needed to reserve power on them. So i wonder if anyone is doing this , or is this a rather stupid idea..... ?. I estimate that 2 fantastic fans would use approx 50 Watts.
cheers and beers
|
What I use for dry camping so my wife can sleep at night is a fan I got at Walmart. It cost around $15 and draws very little current or you could run it on the 'D" battery pack.It's called O2 cool and it is around 1 ft square and a few inches thick. I hang it in the window to bring in the cooler night air and use a wind up timer to shut it off after an hour or more.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: [GMCnet] 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174193 is a reply to message #174191] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 10:37 |
Ray Erspamer
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Dan Greg has this down to a science.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net>
Sender: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:24:24
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Reply-To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 12v fans solar and boon docking. ?
Steve & Debbie,
I don’t think it’s a stupid idea, but all that real estate on top of the coach is ideal for a big solar panel. The battery bank is already on board so with the right controller you could power your fans and lights all night long as well as during the day.
I’ll get there someday, but many are there now. Jerry Work calls it living large on 12 volts.
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
On Jun 21, 2012, at 3:42 AM, steve & debbie wrote:
>
>
> Hello,
> Been doing some research into rv/solar, as we plan to fit some sort of system eventually. The thought occured to me of using the rv fans, but switchable to small solar panels, that could drive the fans basically directly. This would not draw any current from the house batteries, if you needed to reserve power on them. So i wonder if anyone is doing this , or is this a rather stupid idea..... ?
>
> cheers and beers
> --
> Steve & Debbie
> Monticello, FL
> 77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
> EX G4WDT
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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Ray Erspamer
78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen
403, 3.70 Final Drive
Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System,
Holley Hyperspark Ignition System
414-484-9431
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| Re: 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174195 is a reply to message #174165] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 11:19 |
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Can be made to work, but why? If you have enough solar power to run the fans - why not just run the output to the batteries that power the fans? It would be easy to wire up the solar panel to the battery and have the ability to charge your batteries when you are not using the fans.
The fans will use the same amount of electricity no matter if it gets the power directly from the solar panel or if it gets power from the batteries.
John Ruff
| glacierfl wrote on Thu, 21 June 2012 03:42 |
Hello,
Been doing some research into rv/solar, as we plan to fit some sort of system eventually. The thought occured to me of using the rv fans, but switchable to small solar panels, that could drive the fans basically directly. This would not draw any current from the house batteries, if you needed to reserve power on them. So i wonder if anyone is doing this , or is this a rather stupid idea..... ?. I estimate that 2 fantastic fans would use approx 50 Watts.
cheers and beers
|
John Ruff
Chandler, AZ
1975 Eleganza
WA3RIG
If I use ZDDP in a new car - will the tappets go flat?
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| Re: 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174200 is a reply to message #174165] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 11:40 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| glacierfl wrote on Thu, 21 June 2012 03:42 |
... The thought occured to me of using the rv fans, but switchable to small solar panels, that could drive the fans basically directly. ...
|
Our Audi has, as part of a "hot weather package," a solar panel replacing the sunroof. The only thing it powers is the AC/heater fans when the engine is off and the car is in the sun. (Currently I am in need of the relay that controls this feature.) It does keep the car cooler, but I have always wished they would have connected it to a controller so it would also charge the battery.
To answer your question with a question:
If you have the panels, a fan or two and a battery, why not add a controller so the battery can be charged... providing power to run the fan even after the sun goes down?
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Fan for fridge [message #174237 is a reply to message #174199] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 21:55 |
bukzin
Messages: 840
Registered: April 2004
Location: North California
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Thu, 21 June 2012 09:36 |
I run a small fan in my refer vent from solar. It is on during daylight and goes off when sun goes down. Never have to worry about it and it moves a good bit of air. Everything else is run from the on board batteries, which are charged with the roof panels.
Dan
in the gmc all week and loving it
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Dan,
Where did you place that fan?
Why did you feel it should be added?
Thanks!
Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
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| Re: 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174243 is a reply to message #174165] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 22:15 |
glacierfl
Messages: 444
Registered: June 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hello,
Interesting reading, your comments to this topic.
I would like to reply to a few comments.
Those 15W panels at HF look very interesting, gonna look them up this weekend.
Someone mentioned real estate. I envisioned 2 smaller panels, on the front. One above the drivers seat, and one above the passenger seat. That would leave plenty of space further back, for the main system. That smaller system could also recharge nicads, run radio etc also. Kind of helper system.
Some may wonder why, 2 separate systems. Well if you have a bunch of very expensive high watt panels, you likely do not need 2 systems.
However looking at the current prices, it seems cheaper, to have 2 systems. You could easily reach the situation, where you need ALL the power, simply to recharge the main batteries.
Imagine for instance being in some hot desert place. You need all the input from the solar panels to get the main bank recharged. But you wanna have the fans on to help cool you down...!!!! With one main lower wattage system, all you are doing is depleting the main bank, or hardly recharging it at all....
Remember we plan to spend lots of time in the desert. Amongst other things, i am a creative photographer, and potentially have a great book idea, but thats another topic totally.....
So you could spend big bucks, on high wattage panels for instance. Or have 2 systems, the smaller of which is not really that expensive.... That helps out when needed.
Another thought, Simply put. Batteries are rated for so many recharges. If one can run the fans/some items independantly, that would actually, increase the life of the battery bank, at least in theory...
I am under no illusion that there is a perfect, do it all never run out of power system. Because there are a lot of variables, but i think this idea really makes a difference.
So for us, i see this as a way forward, but our needs may be different to many peoples.
cheers and beers
Steve & Debbie
Monticello, FL
77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
EX G4WDT
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| Re: 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174257 is a reply to message #174165] |
Thu, 21 June 2012 23:19 |
glacierfl
Messages: 444
Registered: June 2011
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Hello, John
you said this :-
'The fans will use the same amount of electricity no matter if it gets the power directly from the solar panel or if it gets power from the batteries.'
My question then is, why do you want to use the fans with batteries, when you can in daylight, run them without involving a battery at all. So the situation is that you are charging the batteries up, simply to allow the fans to run them down again...
Seems like a waste of energy to me ??????
Remember batteries only last a certain time. Longer if you are religeous in your battery care.
Also, its not such a good solution, to connect panels of different ratings, into the same system. I had better edit it here and explain further.
We plan to fit 2 panels of around 175 watts each, as the main system. To be added to later on when the boat comes in ....
The ones i plan to fit on the front of coach, would be a lot smaller 'total around 50 Watts'. They would basically be dedicated to the fans, and smaller stuff, that could use the output from a smaller separate charge controller.
It seems odd in these days of 'saving energy', to run items from a battery, that does not need to be pulled down, then have to recharge again...
cheers and beers
Steve & Debbie
Monticello, FL
77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
EX G4WDT
[Updated on: Thu, 21 June 2012 23:44] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174335 is a reply to message #174257] |
Fri, 22 June 2012 17:59 |
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If you have enough solar power to run the vent fan and the solar panels are connected to the battery; then no power will be drawn from the battery if there is power being generated from the panel.
This would be simple to prove. As connected above - just disconnect the battery from the circuit and the vent fan will still run if the solar panel is generating electricity.
It will be a waste of the excess energy that the solar panel will generate when the fans are not in use.
Also.... If only the solar panels will power the fans - then you will not have the option to use the fans if the sun is not shining or it is night time (unless you wire the panels in parallel with the ability to choose solar or battery power).
So lets make it simple. A solar panel will not charge an already fully charged battery. The better system will be that the panel is connected to the battery and not just to the vent fan.
<My question then is, why do you want to use the fans with batteries, when you can in daylight, run them without involving a battery at all. So the situation is that you are charging the batteries up, simply to allow the fans to run them down again...>
John Ruff
Chandler, AZ
1975 Eleganza
WA3RIG
If I use ZDDP in a new car - will the tappets go flat?
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| Re: 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174352 is a reply to message #174165] |
Fri, 22 June 2012 23:04 |
glacierfl
Messages: 444
Registered: June 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hello,
Well i stuck my toe in the water today, and ordered 2 x 50w Poly panels, and a cheapish 60 amp, charge controller. May not need the 60amp capacity for those, but dont know what future needs i may have. MPPT comes much later on for the main bank of panels.
They are around 24in square, and i hope they will fit on the front roof of Aurora.
'It is best if possible to buy in pairs'
I have fitted a spotlight, and have to fit other stuff, so was looking for 2 smaller panels, to fit my needs there. I do plan to allow the fans to be run from either the solar panels on the front, or off the battery bank in some configuration. These panels would also serve some 12v outlets for a small tv, cellphone charger etc etc.
With thinking about a battery bank. I think that 6 x 6V golf cart batts would be a good start.
Do you guys think that the area in front of the back window, would support 6 golf cart batteries. Perhaps would need some reinforcements... ?
We are rebuilding that back area, and if the weight was not a problem, could build a sealed box, that vents into the older battery area, next to the Onan, 'Palm Beach 77'. Putting a fan in there thats temp controlled might be a good idea also?. Perhaps make it reversable so you could push or pull air ???
It sure is a lot of work, just triyng to work it all out.
Cables to fit, connectors, fuses, connector blocks etc etc
Any help from you guys, with what you have done/or doing, pictures etc would be much appreciated.
I am trying to think of anything thats gonna help out making life easier and, preserve the battery life as much as possible.
I do welcome all of your comments/ideas 
Cheers and beers
sorry for editing, i got dyslekia today i think ....
Steve & Debbie
Monticello, FL
77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
EX G4WDT
[Updated on: Fri, 22 June 2012 23:25] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174355 is a reply to message #174352] |
Sat, 23 June 2012 00:00 |
Kudzu
Messages: 377
Registered: November 2011
Location: Marshville, NC
Karma: 0
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Good advice from here has been to figure out your needs (load) and size
the batteries accordingly. Then figure out how much solar you would need
to recharge that right-sized battery bank - given that you would average
less than 8 hours a day of useful sunlight and that the batteries should
only be discharged to 50%.
Dan in NC
Caregiver to a 1976 Eleganza II
"Tzetze Fly"
On 6/23/2012 12:04 AM, steve & debbie wrote:
>
> Hello,
> Well i stuck my toe in the water today, and ordered 2 x 50w Poly panels, and a cheapish 60 amp, charge controller. May not need the 60amp capacity for those, but dont know what future needs i may have. MPPT comes much later on for the main bank of panels.
>
> They are around 24in square, and i hope they will fit on the front roof of Aurora. I have fitted a spotlight, and have to fit other stuff, so was looking for 2 smaller panels, to fit my needs there. I do plan to allow the fans to be run from either the solar panels on the front, or off the battery bank in some configuration. These panels would also serve some 12v outlets for a small tv, cellphone charger etc etc.
>
> With thinking about a battery bank. I think that 6 x 12v golf cart batts would be a good start.
>
> Do you guys think that the area in front of the back window, would support 6 golf cart batteries. Perhaps would need some reinforcements... ?
>
> We are rebuilding that back area, and if the weight was not a problem, could build a sealed box, that vents into the older battery area, next to the Onan, 'Palm Beach 77'. Putting a fan in there thats temp controlled might be a good idea also?. Perhaps make it reversable so you could push or pull air ???
>
> It sure is a lot of work, just triyng to work it all out.
> Cables to fit, connectors, fuses, connector blocks etc etc
> Any help from you guys, with what you have done/or doing, pictures etc would be much appreciated.
>
> I am trying to think of anything thats gonna help out making life easier and, preserve the battery life as much as possible.
> I do welcome all of your comments/ideas :)
>
> Cheers and beers
>
>
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1976 Eleganza II
1996 Chevy Impala SS
1999 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad
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| Re: [GMCnet] 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174358 is a reply to message #174352] |
Sat, 23 June 2012 01:54 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Steve,
Figure out what you'd like to power first. That will determine the size of your battery bank and solar panels.
Four 6 volt batteries -deep cycle or golf cart - and one or two solar panels on the roof will probably provide all the power you need except for the air conditioning.
There have been some excellent articles on solar and battery selection. If I come across them I'll post the link.
Larry Davick
On Jun 22, 2012, at 9:04 PM, steve & debbie <zzdebz@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hello,
> Well i stuck my toe in the water today, and ordered 2 x 50w Poly panels, and a cheapish 60 amp, charge controller. May not need the 60amp capacity for those, but dont know what future needs i may have. MPPT comes much later on for the main bank of panels.
>
> They are around 24in square, and i hope they will fit on the front roof of Aurora. I have fitted a spotlight, and have to fit other stuff, so was looking for 2 smaller panels, to fit my needs there. I do plan to allow the fans to be run from either the solar panels on the front, or off the battery bank in some configuration. These panels would also serve some 12v outlets for a small tv, cellphone charger etc etc.
>
> With thinking about a battery bank. I think that 6 x 12v golf cart batts would be a good start.
>
> Do you guys think that the area in front of the back window, would support 6 golf cart batteries. Perhaps would need some reinforcements... ?
>
> We are rebuilding that back area, and if the weight was not a problem, could build a sealed box, that vents into the older battery area, next to the Onan, 'Palm Beach 77'. Putting a fan in there thats temp controlled might be a good idea also?. Perhaps make it reversable so you could push or pull air ???
>
> It sure is a lot of work, just triyng to work it all out.
> Cables to fit, connectors, fuses, connector blocks etc etc
> Any help from you guys, with what you have done/or doing, pictures etc would be much appreciated.
>
> I am trying to think of anything thats gonna help out making life easier and, preserve the battery life as much as possible.
> I do welcome all of your comments/ideas :)
>
> Cheers and beers
>
>
> --
> Steve & Debbie
> Monticello, FL
> 77 Palm Beach :- Aurora
> EX G4WDT
> _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] 12v fans solar and boon docking. ? [message #174360 is a reply to message #174352] |
Sat, 23 June 2012 06:51 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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You ask some good questions, and are right to do your research.
I thought I would include this email from one of our excellent (early
adopters) Doug Norton, about some of the problems he encountered when he
installed his solar on his GMC. HIs account, almost seems funny, but , he
was very lucky, and he is very interesting to talk to, about this GMC
project.
----------------
Now that you mention it, someone might like to hear how to burn down a
coach - or avoid it. Several years ago I bought a used 65 watt amorphous
panel with a controller attached to it's back side. The controller was not
rated but probably was 6 amps, however, I figured it was over engineered
to 10 amps. Later I added a 50 watt panel that ran into the same
controller. That panel system worked good for a year. Then, with a panel
potential for 10 amps and often working at or over the design limits,
thecontroller apparently heated enough to melt internal components and
create
a little short. The little short ignited plastic sealer and a small fire
followed. When things got a bit hotter, the main wires to the battery
melted together and according to the guy who saw it, flames were blowing
several feet to the side of the coach in the wind. He called the fire
department and sprayed some hose water at the flames. The panels did not
have enough
power to do much damage alone but after the short, the 200 amp battery
added a lot of heating to the molten mess. I now would recommend a fuse.
The paint on top of the coach was scorched and the back of the panel was
blackened to the point my wife approved a new 80 watt panel and a new 40
amp controller. I purposely did not test the old panel till after I
had thelarger new one.
The scorched amorphous panel still worked! It now adds to my total power.
The fire department cut some wires and removed the panel. Surprisingly,
they used a wrench and did not damage the coach. I had expected them to
have applied advanced axe technology to the roof of my coach. Thanks to GM
engineers for a metal roof!
----------------
gene
Hello,
> Well i stuck my toe in the water today, and ordered 2 x 50w Poly panels,
> and a cheapish 60 amp, charge controller. May not need the 60amp capacity
> for those, but dont know what future needs i may have. MPPT comes much
> later on for the main bank of panels.
>
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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