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techntrek ![]() Admin Group - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
![]() Posted: 19 Jan 2010 at 10:44am |
Something to keep in mind is that partial shading will prevent an entire solar panel from producing any useful output. So if one corner of the panel gets some shade, its as if the entire panel is in shade. This is due to the internal series wiring of the individual cells - when one cell is in shade it acts as a resistor and so it blocks the current from the other cells. If you often camp - or store the camper - where you can't get the panel(s) in full sun most of the day you should reconsider using solar. Often just buying a 2nd battery is the cheaper and more reliable option for a week-long trip, and/or using your tow vehicle to top off your battery every other day for a half-hour (use jumper cables and make sure to start the vehicle before attaching the camper battery).
Don't get me wrong, I've been a solar enthusiast for years (I subscribe to http://www.homepower.com) and can't wait to get it on my house. I just don't think it has the best cost-to-benefit ratio for the average one-weekend-per-month-one-week-per-year camper, especially if you usually camp under the trees.
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techntrek ![]() Admin Group - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
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I wouldn't worry about the fridge - you could run it for a month on one tank of LP, that's how little it uses. It also uses a lot of energy in electric mode, 3-8 amps per hour depending on the model (I'm not sure what the exact number is for the 'pods). At 3 amps, that's 72 amps per day, far more than a small solar setup can provide.
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GrandPod ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Location: Southwest Flori Online Status: Offline Posts: 50 |
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Local Harbor Freight has this same solar set up on sale for $199. Regular price is $249. They had this for for last black friday 2009 sale for
![]() Tom
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Tom and Linda
R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
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rpodcamper.com ![]() Admin Group - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Location: Reading, Pa Online Status: Offline Posts: 3990 |
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Yes was the Harbor Freight that had this special. I get e-mail specials from them weekly with all kinds of deals and they run this one pretty many times.
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TerryM ![]() Admin Group - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Saint Augustine Online Status: Offline Posts: 1950 |
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Myself, I don't trust Harbor Freight to anything near good quality.
Terry |
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RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4
Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
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GrandPod ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Location: Southwest Flori Online Status: Offline Posts: 50 |
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When it states that it is a 45 watt Solar Power unit; what is the output of this unit per hour or day?
Tom
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Tom and Linda
R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
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techntrek ![]() Admin Group - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
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That would be 45 watts per hour in full sunlight. You can look up the "solar insolence" for your area by searching the net (one resource is below). Around me in MD its about 4.5 hours per day average, which means year-round you can count on 4.5 hours of useful sun. You'll get more during the summer when you are camping. Let's say its 6.
So 6 x 45 watts = 270 watts on a perfect summer day, no shading. At 12 volts that's about 22.5 amps. There is then some loss between the charge controller and internal battery resistance. You might get 75% into the battery (but not if its near a full charge already), so about 17 amps.
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