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| Solar [message #118848] |
Mon, 14 March 2011 23:54  |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Looking at solar options...
Dan G, can you please post a pic of your coach from above? I'd like to see the layout of your panels.
Do you notice any significant wind noise from the panels while underway?
Anyone else have significant solar on board?
If anyone has that little Harbor Freight kit, I'd like to know what you think of it. I'm considering name brand stuff, but you never know with HF stuff sometimes.
thanks!
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Solar [message #118849 is a reply to message #118848] |
Tue, 15 March 2011 00:34  |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
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Hi Chris
I have a 55 watt panel on the roof. It is behind the Air Con unit, in front of the back room vent.
there is NO NOISE at all.
55 watt is good to keep the battery up in storage and limited power restoration from booning.
I want to get a total of 300 some day, like Dan has.
If you are looking at the 3 panel ( 3 15 watt panels, total 45 watt). It will probably work. Could line 3 along one side and 3 along the other side, give you 90 watt, then fill in the center when you can.
I read somewhere these panels are "starter" panels, probably ave quality, low watts.
There are better but might be a good starter for the price if you find them on sale.
My thoughts
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
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| Re: Solar [message #118859 is a reply to message #118848] |
Tue, 15 March 2011 09:57 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
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| Chr$ wrote on Mon, 14 March 2011 21:54 |
If anyone has that little Harbor Freight kit, I'd like to know what you think of it. I'm considering name brand stuff, but you never know with HF stuff sometimes.
thanks!
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Chris: do a forum search on Harbor Freight Solar Panels and you will find my evaluation of them, about 3 posts down in the search.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: Solar [message #118860 is a reply to message #118849] |
Tue, 15 March 2011 09:57 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
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I was looking at getting a 15 watt on sale at menards.
just for the purpose of keeping the batteries up during the week, and maybe help to extend battery life while boondocking. my motorhome will mostly be used on weekends. and not every weekend.
is 15 watts a waste of money?
I do not plan on running TV's or any 110 stuff off my batteries. just lights, waterpump, and sometimes furnace.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
[Updated on: Tue, 15 March 2011 09:58] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Solar [message #118862 is a reply to message #118860] |
Tue, 15 March 2011 10:09 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
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I purchased a 1 watt (15watt) panel for my SOB some years ago. At first I was unimpressed but found that the overhang kept the sun from shining on the Solar chip surface.
I recently brought my antique truck home storage and wanted to keep the battery charged during my "truck rehab". I put the unit on the roof and angled it toward the sun. It kept the battery at full charge, even with my using the radio while I worked on the body.
Consider it as ONLY FOR KEEPING THE BATTERY UP. You can try to use the radio or a light, a light load and see how it works out for you. Remember, you may have some hidden loads that drain on the battery all the time.
If you are thinking of booning, you might want to wait and save up enough to get a bigger unit. I have a 55watt and though it is fabulous for keeping the battery up, it would struggle at booning.
Dan runs about 300 Watts if I remember right and with controlled usage of dc power, he is more or less, cut off from the land power any time he wants with little used of a generator, as I understand his set up.
remember, Dan has been changing out his lighting to low power LEDs and a Low power Tv, etc, etc. You have to plan for solar.
SO..... for parking and maintaining the battery, 15 watt is ok
for battery maintaining and very limited use, 55 watt is a good start.
For much more freedom, a setup similar to Dans is a real good start.
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 [message #118873 is a reply to message #118848] |
Tue, 15 March 2011 12:03 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Chr$
Dan and Carol Winchester were at the last two Saguaro Jetset rallies. Dan had just had a 130 watt solar panel/controller, etc. installed in Quartzsite at the end of January. They then dry camped at the Painted Rocks BLM site near Gila Bend, for about two weeks. Dan said he was getting 8 amps out of his system and the only time they started their Onan was to use a high power device like the microwave. He runs two 6-v golf cart betteries for the house.
I didn't take any pictures of his panel location, and didn't study it that closely but IIRC, he had it mounted on the left rear of the coach roof, on the roof rack, next to the rear AC. I have plans to add a solar system someday soon and am interested in this thread too. Dan has a website:
http://gmc.dwinchester.com/
You may be able to get hold of him through the website or the Black List, if you want to find out more.
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
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| Re: Solar [message #118881 is a reply to message #118873] |
Tue, 15 March 2011 13:36 |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Carl, someone sold Dan Winchester a "jazzed up" amp meter. While it might be possible to get almost 8 amps to sit on the panel in a test lab, it would never get close to the batteries.
Chris, I am not in a position to get a picture of my roof now. What I did was to make sure my panels were not going to be shaded. That is tough when you put 4 panels on a GMC. After I bought my first 110 watt panel, I measured my available space that was left. Then I bought the other 3 panels to fit. Late afternoon I will have a bit of shading but that is when I am charged up anyway. I try to orient the coach for maximum sun. During January in Quartzsite, my maximum charge, to the batteries, was 10 amps. If I were there in the summer, which I won't be, I would get 14-15 amps to the batteries. Even in Missouri I get a 14 amp charge during the summer months.
The trick is learning to live "high on the hog" using solar. We can do it now, with exception of no air conditioner or ice maker.
I used #6 welding cable for my runs to the batteries. (I have never seen a welder with #6 cables, but that is what they called this stuff}. I monitor the amperage, and voltage, sitting on the panels AND the amperage, and voltage, getting to the batteries. I see from 1/2 to 1 amp difference. I think that is pretty good.
Dan,
sitting in Kingsland, Tx, right beside a nice Avion for sale.
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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| Re: Solar [message #118887 is a reply to message #118881] |
Tue, 15 March 2011 13:52 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
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Hey Dan, A quick Question...
You used #6 cable but in my case, when you get to the regulator, it has #12 wire. It is not upgradable because the cable is sealed inside the regulator.
Now #12 should be good for, if I recall, about 15-20 amps. Does this sound right or how did you connect your regulator into the mix???
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 [message #118909 is a reply to message #118848] |
Tue, 15 March 2011 18:02 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Thanks folks, I'm looking at 4-6 60W 2x3 ft mono crystalline panels for my coach. SHE is getting worried that the world is going to hell, so the purchase may be easier to justify!!!
Dan, What Trace inverter do you have?
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Solar [message #118927 is a reply to message #118909] |
Tue, 15 March 2011 20:40 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
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| Chr$ wrote on Tue, 15 March 2011 16:02 |
Dan, What Trace inverter do you have?
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Chris: I think you meant to say what "Trace Charge controller do you have" Right?
And inverter is a completely different item.
The Trace (Xantrex) C 30 or C35 should do you well, as Dan said he got a deal on a higher capacity one, but it is unnecessary. I use the Trace charge controller on my various volunteer projects for the Forest Service as well as my own systems. Great unit, very moderate price.
BTW, HF has a charge controller that is more expensive than the Trace. Don't buy it, it is over priced and has no track record.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] Solar [message #118963 is a reply to message #118927] |
Wed, 16 March 2011 04:31 |
Douglas Norton
Messages: 191
Registered: April 2008
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20 watts is a good start. If you will read Dan Gregg's Blog from March 7 and 8 at http://danandteri.blogspot.com/ you will get a good sense for how Solar can mesh with GMC boon-docking.
I did my solar system all wrong. I bought the panel then changed stuff and near the end bought a Trimetric 2020 monitor. If I had it to do all over I would have got the monitor first. It would tell how much battery was being used and thus, how much solar was needed and how much could be saved by lighting and heating upgrades.
Then I would have started the load reductions: LED lights, better located lights, catalytic heater, and a smaller computer. The big loads I cut were incandescent lights (2 amps each), Heater fan motor (4 amps when running), and an inefficient laptop. At that point I would have learned that I could get by with a 50 or 65 watt panel. From 5:30 to 10:30 PM, two incandescent dome light bulbs alone draw 20 ampere hours or one third more than I used. After upgrades I used no power for heat (saved 30 ampere hours a day), used 4 to six bright LED light fixtures (1/2 to 1.5 amp draw for a total of 5 ampere hours), 2 hours of TV (4 ampere hours), and two hours of Laptop use (3 ampere hours) for a total of 12 ampere hours a day.
My total daily use in Quartzsite from sundown to sunup was from 12 to 24 ampere hours (I used the heater fan part time on very cold nights). With 6 hours of useful sun I needed to charge from about 2 to 4 amps per hour. In theory I could get 2 amps out of a 30 watt panel and 4 amps from the 65 watt panel I purchased to get started. On the other hand, averaging 15 amp hours a day, I could go 3 days with no charging without using more than 20% of my battery capacity. I could go 7 days without using 50% of my battery capacity. A good charger and a generator run once every 3 days for a couple of hours would get me by for about $5 of gasoline without solar panels. Keeping batteries charged when storing the coach is important so I think a 20 watt panel will do that and can work to help to finish off a generator powered charge. When batteries are low they can be charged fast, when they are near full, they will only take a couple of amps regardless
of how many solar watts are available. I now have two panels totaling 115 watts.
In July in the redwoods there was less than 2 ours of sunlight a day on the panels. I ran the charger off 110 volts for a couple of hours every other day to keep the batteries up. I had near no advantage over a 20 watt panel. When It was cold and partly cloudy in Quartzsite and we wanted to watch several hours of TV, the 115 watts I had was near the minimum amount I could get by with without running the generator.
I hope this helps. This was not intended to be all about me, but it was easier to write in first person rather than from the point of view of my other schitzophrenic self.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Solar [message #119050 is a reply to message #118927] |
Wed, 16 March 2011 22:13 |
GMC_LES
Messages: 569
Registered: October 2009
Location: Montreal
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All this talk about solar power and conserving battery energy has got me thinking. Has anyone tinkered with pulsed DC for feeding electric fan motors in an effort to reduce power consumption? If I'm not mistaken, this type of technology is used on electric trolling motors to prolong battery life.
Thanks,
Les Burt
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Les Burt
Montreal
1975 Eleganza 26ft
A work in Progress
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| Re: [GMCnet] Solar [message #119077 is a reply to message #119050] |
Thu, 17 March 2011 08:22 |
Rodney Hamilton
Messages: 24
Registered: August 2005
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| Les Burt wrote on Wed, 16 March 2011 23:13 |
All this talk about solar power and conserving battery energy has got me thinking. Has anyone tinkered with pulsed DC for feeding electric fan motors in an effort to reduce power consumption? If I'm not mistaken, this type of technology is used on electric trolling motors to prolong battery life.
Thanks,
Les Burt
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Our Fantastic Fans use PWM (pulsed width modulation?) my ammeter shows 1 to 3 amps used when setting low to high.
Rodney Hamilton
Late 76 PB, 455
Montreal Canada
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| Re: [GMCnet] Solar [message #119129 is a reply to message #119077] |
Thu, 17 March 2011 20:22 |
GMC_LES
Messages: 569
Registered: October 2009
Location: Montreal
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PWM must be what the variable speed 12v water pumps use and I would assume that the power demands would be a bit less than a comparable fixed speed pump.
I'm far from an expert in electronics but my understanding of pulsed DC (PWM) drive controllers is that they can drive a DC motor to a specified speed & power output with as little as 50% of the amp/hrs used on the same motor when applying unmodified DC. The efficiency of the circuitry is what I guess is the determining factor.
Am I atleast half correct in my understanding?
Thanks,
Les Burt
On 2011-03-17, at 9:22 AM, Rodney Hamilton <rodney.hamilton@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Les Burt wrote on Wed, 16 March 2011 23:13
>> All this talk about solar power and conserving battery energy has got me thinking. Has anyone tinkered with pulsed DC for feeding electric fan motors in an effort to reduce power consumption? If I'm not mistaken, this type of technology is used on electric trolling motors to prolong battery life.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Les Burt
>> _______________________________________________
>
>
> Our Fantastic Fans use PWM (pulsed width modulation?) my ammeter shows 1 to 3 amps used when setting low to high.
> --
> Rodney Hamilton
> Late 76 PB, 455
> Montreal Canada
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Les Burt
Montreal
1975 Eleganza 26ft
A work in Progress
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| Re: [GMCnet] Solar [message #119132 is a reply to message #119129] |
Thu, 17 March 2011 21:13 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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| Les Burt wrote on Thu, 17 March 2011 20:22 |
PWM must be what the variable speed 12v water pumps use and I would assume that the power demands would be a bit less than a comparable fixed speed pump.
I'm far from an expert in electronics but my understanding of pulsed DC (PWM) drive controllers is that they can drive a DC motor to a specified speed & power output with as little as 50% of the amp/hrs used on the same motor when applying unmodified DC. The efficiency of the circuitry is what I guess is the determining factor.
Am I atleast half correct in my understanding?
Thanks,
Les Burt
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Close enough for a general understanding of the process.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: Solar [message #119273 is a reply to message #118927] |
Sat, 19 March 2011 14:03 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Yeah, that's what I meant...
| idrob wrote on Tue, 15 March 2011 18:40 |
| Chr$ wrote on Tue, 15 March 2011 16:02 |
Dan, What Trace inverter do you have?
|
Chris: I think you meant to say what "Trace Charge controller do you have" Right?
And inverter is a completely different item.
The Trace (Xantrex) C 30 or C35 should do you well, as Dan said he got a deal on a higher capacity one, but it is unnecessary. I use the Trace charge controller on my various volunteer projects for the Forest Service as well as my own systems. Great unit, very moderate price.
BTW, HF has a charge controller that is more expensive than the Trace. Don't buy it, it is over priced and has no track record.
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-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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