Blue Ridge Spirit, Bob and Lynn's 6x14 CT

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

10 am, pulling 700 watts, starting to get scared with all that power.

By noon was pulling in 900 solar watts, by 12.15 batteries were 100% full at 14.1 volts.

[lrrowe]

My 160W solar panels by Solar Cynergy came yesterday. Also on the floor is the Midnite Brat PWM controller (on the floor in front of the panels) that came today. Now I need to get the appropriate wire, combiner bow and start the installation.

But first I am going to run an experiment using the panels to see if I can preheat a freebie water heater water to run into my radiant heat boiler tank. My goal is to reduce the amount of propane I burn in the winter.

[flboy]

My 160W solar panels by Solar Cynergy came yesterday. Also on the floor is the Midnite Brat PWM controller (on the floor in front of the panels) that came today. Now I need to get the appropriate wire, combiner bow and start the installation.

But first I am going to run an experiment using the panels to see if I can preheat a freebie water heater water to run into my radiant heat boiler tank. My goal is to reduce the amount of propane I burn in the winter.

Bob, those look nice.. 320 Watts is a good capacity. Best of luck getting them all installed. I apologize if I missed it... but what size battery bank (Ah) did you decide to go with?

[lrrowe]

I went with two 6 Volt Duracell batteries from Sam's Club. If my memory serves me right, they are 215 ah at 20 hours. I would have to double check tomorrow to be sure.
Darn, they are heavy.

[m.colley]

Congrats Bob. That and a inverter are one of my next major projects/purchases. For now I'll just have to depend on shore power and my generator.

Martin

[lrrowe]

But they should serve you very adequately for awhile. I pushed mine along because of the home use experiment as the leaves are falling and the temperature is dropping ever so slowly.

[McDave]

Hey Bob,
I'm on the hunt for an awning as well, and I came across this. I wasn't able to locate a PDF on it, but the price is right, and again FREE SHIPPING. Take a look.

http://www.alekoproducts.com/10-X8-Retr ... 1&CartID=1

McDave

[lrrowe]

McDave,
That sounds like a very good deal. I do not know much about the brand though.
Unfortunately, I just received my Carefree of Colorado 10' Pioneer Lite awning for $369 plus freight. Had I seen this ad a week ago, I,would have given it a lot of attention. Timing seems to be everything in life.

I have company coming in for the weekend, so I will not be able to open the boxes til Monday. Then I will start to install it. Photos will come soon.

[Padilen]

Those are good prices, what was shipping charges? My fabric alone was 161.
Oh was the top rail included?
Edit
I see one was free.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lrrowe]

Those are good prices, what was shipping charges? My fabric alone was 161.
Oh was the top rail included?
Edit
I see one was free.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

$150 from The West Coast to mid VA.
I got it from Shadeproinc on eBay. I found that doing the research first helped and then call them rather then place the order online. I found more color choices which were not listed on eBay. I think they cut mine down to 10' from other inventory. It only weighs about 54 lbs which to me is a good thing.

[lrrowe]

Those are good prices, what was shipping charges? My fabric alone was 161.
Oh was the top rail included?
Edit
I see one was free.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

$150 from The West Coast to mid VA.
I got it from Shadeproinc on eBay. I found that doing the research first helped and then call them rather then place the order online. I found more color choices which were not listed on eBay. I think they cut mine down to 10' from other inventory. It only weighs about 54 lbs which to me is a good thing.

And here is the photo before installation.

[Padilen]

Those are good prices, what was shipping charges? My fabric alone was 161.
Oh was the top rail included?
Edit
I see one was free.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

$150 from The West Coast to mid VA.
I got it from Shadeproinc on eBay. I found that doing the research first helped and then call them rather then place the order online. I found more color choices which were not listed on eBay. I think they cut mine down to 10' from other inventory. It only weighs about 54 lbs which to me is a good thing.

And here is the photo before installation.

What about the top rail- or doesn't attach to one?
Still with shipping less than most.
But I'm glad I was able to cut down and reuse my moms old one. I think everyone could use an awning. They add shade and lite rain protection. I'm sure cost is an issue for many, I hope these are a good alternative to the much more expensive units.
The only negative other than costs for having one is it makes a cargo trailer camper look like a cargo trailer camper. But for some reason they still look better than a TT.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[McDave]

Hey Bob,
I think you did real good there. The Carefree units are a known quantity. So you know what you are getting, and parts and warranty are readily available. That shipping charge is very reasonable. A place in Gillette wanted almost 400.00 to ship to Montana. And the Carefree awning was 800.00. I just can't justify it. I'm going over to look at that link right now.
Thanks,

McDave

[lrrowe]

Padilen,
It does not require a mounting rail. I have not open the instuctions yet, but I recall from my previous research, that all the mounting is in the brackets on the uprights. Yes, it takes a little away from the stealthiness, but I have seen commercial CT's with awnings. Usually for demo type trailers.

McDave,
Here is a link that starts you off with Shade Pro.
After the success I had with them, I suggest talking to them over the phone.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/shadeproinc/m.h ... 7675.l2562

[McDave]

McDave