Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Lots of solar - not too much money (($0.83 a watt!) sorry, NOTan advertisement..)
| Lots of solar - not too much money [message #176681] |
Fri, 13 July 2012 23:36  |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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I was poking around looking for the best deal for some solar panels and think I might have found it...
http://www.dmsolar.com/solar-module-1141.html
Two 145 watt polycrystalline panels for $240. That's only about $0.83 a watt. And I figure 290 watts ought to do pretty much anything I'm going to want to do (and then some). I haven't even worked out if they'll fit on top of my rig or not yet (I'm sure they will SOMEHOW), but wonder if any of the alternative energy gurus here have seen these, or know the vendor (who seems to have a pretty solid reputation online).
The down side is they're out of stock through August 5th, but I'm in no big hurry. I might even consider buying two, and splitting the purchase with someone else who needs "only" 145 watts (which is still a LOT of power, IMHO).
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
[Updated on: Sat, 14 July 2012 14:34] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Lots of solar - not too much money [message #176713 is a reply to message #176712] |
Sat, 14 July 2012 15:10  |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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Thanks, Dan... I suspect I would probably find a way to use 290w if I had those panels. Why rig has two ac units and a storage pod on top already, so whatever I do will end up being pretty tight. And right now I only have two 12v house batteries, which would get pumped up pretty quick with almost 300 watts of solar.
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: [GMCnet] Lots of solar - not too much money [message #176715 is a reply to message #176711] |
Sat, 14 July 2012 16:47 |
Ray Erspamer
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
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I'm getting ready to mount my first 100w panel. Thought of using a linear actuator to tilt it up & down electrically, not sure if I'll get that sofisticated or not yet.
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-----Original Message-----
From: Mark <mark@habcycles.com>
Sender: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2012 14:39:33
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Reply-To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Lots of solar - not too much money
I'd probably mount them flat on the roof, if I can find the real estate. There's already a much smaller panel on one of the A/C covers.
It might be nice to be able to angle them to catch more sun, but that would add one more thing I have to do before driving. The thought of watching the panels blow off the top of my rig in my rear view mirror gives me cold sweats. ;)
--
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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Ray Erspamer
78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen
403, 3.70 Final Drive
Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System,
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414-484-9431
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| Re: Lots of solar - not too much money [message #176749 is a reply to message #176731] |
Sat, 14 July 2012 21:00 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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| winter wrote on Sat, 14 July 2012 17:41 |
how do you guys calculate the wattage your rig uses?
I assume the 250 to 300 watt usage is what it takes to charge the batteries when the sun is out and you have near peak output from the pannels. Is the actual average usage 1/4 of that continous for the entire day? What all are you running (dc swing motor fridge, dc vent fans, lights at night, ect.)?
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I'm sure I won't get nearly 290 watts average because of the flat mounting I'm pretty sure I'll do, plus the less-than-direct angle of the sun during much of the day. OTOH, I'm not sure I'll need anywhere near that much anyway. I'm in the process of installing a 1000 watt inverter, which should power everything but my A/C units and fridge (unless I want to save propane). I'm replacing all the incandescent bulbs in the rig with LED panels, which should save a good bit of power, though this may be offset by the fact I found a blender carafe for my NuTone built-in kitchen center unit, so I plan on making a lot of margaritas. 
I've got a couple vent fans, plus the furnace fan to consider.
But there's a certain comfort in the fact that if I ever screw up dry camping and run all my batteries dead flat, all I have to do is wait for the sun to shine for a while, and I can self-rescue. And let's not forget that - unless you're hooked to shore power - charging the batteries loads down either the generator (obviously) or the engine alternator - probably to the tune of 1-2 horsepower for a while, which isn't insignificant. A solar panel that would keep the batteries topped off, and charging even when en route would ultimately save gas. I'm not sure what my payback break-even period would be, but I'm guessing it would be pretty quick.
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: [GMCnet] Lots of solar - not too much money [message #176772 is a reply to message #176749] |
Sun, 15 July 2012 02:07 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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My buddy who owns a Nissan Leaf (and loves it) says that when Prius cars start hitting the junkyards RVers should snap up the batteries. They are bullet proof. Now if the Leaf battery becomes available you can power the AC off of it!
How to recharge is another matter...
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
On Jul 14, 2012, at 7:00 PM, Mark <mark@habcycles.com> wrote:
>
>
> winter wrote on Sat, 14 July 2012 17:41
>> how do you guys calculate the wattage your rig uses?
>>
>> I assume the 250 to 300 watt usage is what it takes to charge the batteries when the sun is out and you have near peak output from the pannels. Is the actual average usage 1/4 of that continous for the entire day? What all are you running (dc swing motor fridge, dc vent fans, lights at night, ect.)?
>
>
> I'm sure I won't get nearly 290 watts average because of the flat mounting I'm pretty sure I'll do, plus the less-than-direct angle of the sun during much of the day. OTOH, I'm not sure I'll need anywhere near that much anyway. I'm in the process of installing a 1000 watt inverter, which should power everything but my A/C units and fridge (unless I want to save propane). I'm replacing all the incandescent bulbs in the rig with LED panels, which should save a good bit of power, though this may be offset by the fact I found a blender carafe for my NuTone built-in kitchen center unit, so I plan on making a lot of margaritas. :o
>
> I've got a couple vent fans, plus the furnace fan to consider.
>
> But there's a certain comfort in the fact that if I ever screw up dry camping and run all my batteries dead flat, all I have to do is wait for the sun to shine for a while, and I can self-rescue. And let's not forget that - unless you're hooked to shore power - charging the batteries loads down either the generator (obviously) or the engine alternator - probably to the tune of 1-2 horsepower for a while, which isn't insignificant. A solar panel that would keep the batteries topped off, and charging even when en route would ultimately save gas. I'm not sure what my payback break-even period would be, but I'm guessing it would be pretty quick.
> --
> Mark Hickey
> Mesa, AZ
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen
> _______________________________________________
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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] Lots of solar - not too much money [message #176779 is a reply to message #176775] |
Sun, 15 July 2012 08:19 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
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The other thing to consider is that a new battery pack for a hybrid is hideously expensive, and we'd be competing for used batteries with other Leaf owners when their batteries start wearing out.
Keep in mind the Leaf costs around $35k (after all us happy taxpayers subsidize $7500), and that the battery pack costs Nissan an estimated $18k. So when a Leaf owner is looking at a $20k+ bill to replace that battery with a new one, the market for a used one is going to be pretty stiff.
Plus, it's interesting that the electronics in the Leaf are run off a lead acid battery, not the main lithium-ion battery (the little solar cell on some of the Leafs charges this lead acid battery only).
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: [GMCnet] Lots of solar - not too much money [message #176807 is a reply to message #176779] |
Sun, 15 July 2012 13:38 |
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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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A note from my Leaf friend:
8 yr warranty on the battery. Nobody will need a used one for a while. Minor electronics.... Radio etc is 12v but all the heavy stuff... Ac, heat, is form the
Lithium battery. A leaf has 48 battery modules in its pack. Each one is in a case and designed to be replaceable.
Also the leaf was 35k before the happy tax break of 7500+5000 from the
California taxpayers. :)
I guess we won't be seeing those batteries any time soon!
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
On Jul 15, 2012, at 6:19 AM, Mark <mark@habcycles.com> wrote:
>
>
> The other thing to consider is that a new battery pack for a hybrid is hideously expensive, and we'd be competing for used batteries with other Leaf owners when their batteries start wearing out.
>
> Keep in mind the Leaf costs around $35k (after all us happy taxpayers subsidize $7500), and that the battery pack costs Nissan an estimated $18k. So when a Leaf owner is looking at a $20k+ bill to replace that battery with a new one, the market for a used one is going to be pretty stiff.
>
> Plus, it's interesting that the electronics in the Leaf are run off a lead acid battery, not the main lithium-ion battery (the little solar cell on some of the Leafs charges this lead acid battery only).
> --
> Mark Hickey
> Mesa, AZ
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen
> _______________________________________________
> 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: [GMCnet] Lots of solar - not too much money [message #176811 is a reply to message #176807] |
Sun, 15 July 2012 14:36 |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Larry, go to Sams or Costco a grab 4 6 volts and forget about those hybrid batteries. You will miss out on too much fun just waiting for them.
Dan
in the gmc this week
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
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