| solar panel and charger [message #72459] |
Mon, 01 February 2010 09:17  |
bukzin
Messages: 840
Registered: April 2004
Location: North California
Karma: 0
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This may be a handy add-on.
Its a small 18 watt panel that comes with a controller.
http://deals.woot.com/sellout
This deal ends today (Monday) at 10pm PST
Anyone tried one of this type?
Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
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| Re: solar panel and charger [message #72469 is a reply to message #72459] |
Mon, 01 February 2010 11:27  |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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| bukzin wrote on Mon, 01 February 2010 07:17 |
This may be a handy add-on.
Its a small 18 watt panel that comes with a controller.
http://deals.woot.com/sellout
This deal ends today (Monday) at 10pm PST
Anyone tried one of this type?
|
Some general comments on this and other solar panel systems:
It might maintain a battery but the wattage is just too small to do anything for charging except the most minimal use. It would keep the engine battery system up, especially if you have a radio or other things which use power 24/7 to keep the stations set, etc.
To do much for the house load batteries, I would recommend at least a 120 watt solar panel system. More is even better.
BTW, the inexpensive 4 panel systems I have seen in several places lately (like Costco and Sams club, and Frys electronics) only have about a 60 watt capacity total, for all the panels combined. Don't be fooled by number of panels, look at the wattage they put out. The older "standard" crystaline panels put out more power for the area they take (about double) so if roof real estate is important, use them vs. the thin film kinds. The one in the ad cited is a thin film panel, which in my opinion are not the ones you want for RV use.
Good solar systems work, and work very well. They are not inexpensive. The lower quality systems mostly give solar a bad reputation, which is unfortunate.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: solar panel and charger [message #72478 is a reply to message #72469] |
Mon, 01 February 2010 13:04 |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Senior Member |
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What Rob said. And, don't think you are getting a good deal at Harbor Frieght on the one they sell. The smaller the unit the more expensive. I have 1300.00 tied up in our 300 watt system and it works. I would have had it cheaper but I did not do it right the first time. I know nothing about solar, I don't have to. I do know what to buy and how to install it because of folks like Rob, in the above post.
That said, you do what you think is best for your situation.
Dan
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
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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