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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Solar Power
    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.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2010 at 10:51am
Originally posted by sylviablue

The price is right now we just gotta see if it works for our needs.  Where did you find it?  For us I am thinking lights, water pump (not the water heater) plus I'd like to get the frig off LP.  
 
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.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 2010 at 7:47pm
 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 Ouch $150.
Tom
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 2:02pm
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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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 3:50pm
Myself, I don't trust Harbor Freight to anything near good quality.

Terry 
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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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 7:38pm
 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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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 2010 at 2:59pm
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.
 
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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