| Solar Panels [message #70878] |
Fri, 15 January 2010 11:56  |
tgeiger
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
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I'm researching solar panels for the GMC and I'm sure finding alot of brands and types. Does anyone have a link or recommendations on what to get? I've read something of the "Alpine Survival Panel" that it's a very durable panel. I have not found anything specific on them as of yet. 
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
[Updated on: Sat, 16 January 2010 05:07] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Solar Panels [message #70934 is a reply to message #70878] |
Sat, 16 January 2010 01:54  |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
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I'm researching solar panels for the GMC and I sure am finding alot of brands and types.
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I am at a loss of the brand I bought some time back for another SOB unit.
I have heard the BP are ok but I don't know who make them.
Have you make up an excell sheet to play with power use and battery drain with and without the solar panels???
If you are planing to live on them while dry camping, get as many watts as you can find space for up there.
200 watts of solar panel will give you 15 amps of 12.5vdc at full sun with the panels tilted at optimum angle to the sun.
if flat on the roof, like most of us would put them, that output can easily be cut by half.
West marine has a nice panel that is flexible and can be glued to the roof line, almost un-noticeable. They claim you can walk on them but I don't recommend that practice. But to build up your solar output, you need to really fill the roof spaces with panels. EBay is your friend, lolololol
The higher the output of the panel, the more drastic the prices are. there are 200 watt panels out there.
Remember, you only have good sun for charging for a couple hours, then the panels will put out less charge.
You have to compute what you are using at the time as well as what the battery needs to charge up again....
I think its Bubs sight that gives you the battery voltage readings of charge conditions and you don't want to go too low or the batt can be crippled.
Also, use big cable to the battery or fuse panel. Minimum #10 but if there is a long run, use larger.
Check your voltage at the fuse panel. Too low a voltage ( caused by resistance in the long wire/cable) will prevent any charge to happen.
Good luck
LarC ( Keep on playing with Solar and experimenting but have yet to put a substantial system on Gatsbys' CRUISER  )
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
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| Re: Solar Panels [message #70937 is a reply to message #70934] |
Sat, 16 January 2010 04:40 |
tgeiger
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
Karma: -1
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Thanks guys this helps. I'm just starting to look at this so I am finding some things but feel I have some more reading to do.
Here is a couple of things I've found to this point. I'll try to post up more as I find them.
This is a site I tripped across. It seems to be pretty decent.
It has the BP panels for sale on it. Price seems resonable.
http://www.mrsolar.com/page/MSOS/sizingrv
There is a worksheet pdf on this web site as well. Tried to upload it but it was bigger than the alotted upload limit.
Here is it's link
http://www.mrsolar.com/pdf/rv/rv_solar.pdf
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
[Updated on: Sat, 16 January 2010 05:14] Report message to a moderator |
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