Getting ready for Solar season
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11098
Printed Date: 21 May 2025 at 4:22am
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Topic: Getting ready for Solar season
Posted By: Leo B
Subject: Getting ready for Solar season
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2018 at 8:50am
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Just received our renogy 100 w solar panel and hook up kit. Cant wait to get some sun so we can hook it up and give it a try. We ae planning on doing a lot more dry camping this year! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2018 at 10:00am
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We get a lot of good use out of ours -- mostly at the OBX, mostly because that's where we've been most since we got the kit. It works great there. We stay down at the NPS campground at Frisco, which has no hookups. Of course there's no point in having it at a KOA. We really like the Frisco campground as opposed to almost any commercial campground where they stack you like sardines. There are certainly advantages to hookups though. Frisco is relatively more isolated than Rodanthe but you might really like the fishing at Cape Point. Buxton and Hatteras villages have lots of good places to eat. Frisco too for that matter. Ocracoke is an easy boat boat ride away. (Take Capt. Rudy Austin's boat over to Portsmouth Island for most of a day if you ever have the chance.) Even from way down there we don't hesitate to run up to Manteo, Kitty Hawk, or even Corolla. It's a beautiful drive.... TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2018 at 11:39am
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TT, We checked out Frisco, Cape Point and Oregon Inlet on our last trip down to Cape Hatteras. We really liked Frisco and Cape Point. Going to try two to three weeks at each this coming October. We stayed at Oregon inlet a couple of nights this past fall. We have a couple of camping spots lined up on state land here in VT to try things out and practice over the summer. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2018 at 7:13am
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Good luck with the solar. We love our renogy 100watt unit. We have used it for 2seasons and can only say positive things. One important thing to do is to remember to adjust the positioning of the panel. I do it at night before we go to bed to catch the early morning sun before we get up. I also do it before we leave camp in the morning. I do it again when we return from the days activities. I use a simple compass to find true west and then position the unit accordinglly. I will adjust it several times during the day when we are in camp. The charge controller is very accurate in telling you what the input levels are, so pay attention to that at first until you get a feel for it. I also made 2wooden blocks out of 6x6 to prop up the panel for a higher angle than the stock frame arms allow. There are lots of tables available online that will tell you the optimum angle and direction(degrees between southwest and west) depending on your location. We have bbeen out as long as 13 days keeping our 2 six volt batteries fully charged usinqg the panel. Cleaning them occasionally will help their efficiency. Enjoy the solar freedom! Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2018 at 7:46am
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I appreciate your guidance! Am really looking forward to trying it out. Will probably be asking a lot of questions this spring when we start. Can’t wait to be back down fishing the OBX! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |