GMCforum
For enthusiast of the Classic GMC Motorhome built from 1973 to 1978. A web-based mirror of the GMCnet mailing list.
Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Small Solar System
Small Solar System [message #189977] Mon, 12 November 2012 11:25 Go to previous message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma:
Senior Member
The last two weekends, and the evenings in between, I have been working on the installation of a small (140 watt) solar charging system for my batteries. After much consultation with Dan G. and much reading up on the subject, Kathy and I finally went for it. We like to dry camp, not for extended periods, but for anywhere from a few days to a week at a time. Living in Southern Arizona, we decided to take advantage of the abundant sunshine we have here.

I have taken other steps to prepare our coach for dry camping, such as installing LED lights in appropriate locations throughout the coach, installing a Trimetric battery meter (it's like a gas gauge for your batteries), and installing a Heat absorption refrigerator. The only thing we lack is a means of heating water without running either the Onan or the 455.

I started out with a small system, but sized the controller, wire, etc. so as to be expandable if we find that we need more charging capacity. Below is a list of the items I used:

http://www.solar-electric.com/kykd140wasom1.html

http://www.solar-electric.com/tracc35solch.html

http://www.solar-electric.com/xabatese25fo.html

http://www.solar-electric.com/xlp--6.html (about 50')

http://www.solar-electric.com/maxfusholinw.html

http://www.solar-electric.com/dipozrvmofe.html

I installed a 20 amp fuse between the panel and the controller and a 40 amp between the controller and the battery.

I will be taking my annual sand dune trip in a few weeks (Thanksgiving Weekend) and will get a chance to see how well the system keeps up with our power usage.

Here is a link to the 'photo essay' I put together on the photo site:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6227-solar-battery-charging.html

Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

[Updated on: Mon, 12 November 2012 12:36]

Report message to a moderator

[Message index]
 
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Previous Topic: Re: [GMCnet] Neat New Droid app for ONP
Next Topic: [GMCnet] Small Solar System
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Mon Oct 07 21:40:06 CDT 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.04491 seconds
.:: Contact :: Home ::.

Powered by: FUDforum 3.1.1.
Copyright ©2001-2021 FUDforum Bulletin Board Software