Solar System

[mikeschn]

Solar system

Someone on teardrop times had set up a really nice solar system with electronic digital readouts that showed the status.

Does anyone have a link to that system?

Mike...

[mikeschn]

Okay, I'm still hoping someone has that link to the solar powered Teardrop that I saw on teardroptimes. In the meantime here are some other solar links I found.

Ultimate RV Solar Power System
http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/solar/

SunExplorer TM RV SOLAR POWER KITS
http://www.alpinesurvival.com/rv-solar-power.html

Solar power notes and calculator
http://www.where-rv-now.com/Notes/Solar/

[mikeschn]

Okay, I found what I thought I was looking for.

http://www.retroteardrop.com/project/build/galley1.php#

Except now I don't think he has solar????? At least it's not shown on his wiring diagram.

I guess I'll have to design a teardrop system on my own.

Mike...

[BufordT]

Mike if I'm not mistaken I think it was Q who added a solor panel to his tear.


Buford

Okay, I found what I thought I was looking for.

http://www.retroteardrop.com/project/build/galley1.php#

Except now I don't think he has solar????? At least it's not shown on his wiring diagram.

I guess I'll have to design a teardrop system on my own.

Mike...

[mikeschn]

Yes you are right, it was Q. Gage also has a PV panel. Here's a picture of what Q has...



Q also said, "You can buy PV equipment from most RV shops but my favorite people to deal with are Steve and Elizabeth at Backwoods Solar in Idaho. Lots of good info and a catalog on their web site at http://www.backwoodssolar.com" so I wrote directly to Steve and Elizabeth and am waiting to hear back!!!

Mike...

[BufordT]

Been doing a lot of thinking about this on the next one I build. I'm going to use solar on it. So the more info we can get on this the better it would be for us all. Thanks Mike and it wil be easy to find the info as all you have to do is search for solar in the seach.

Buford

[mikeschn]

According to Q and Gage, solar is as easy as hooking the panel directly to the battery, like in this picture...



What I have to find out is which panels prevent the battery from overcharging.

Mike...

[mikeschn]

In May of 1995, author Rush Dougherty left Long Island, New York with a 10' slide in camper. His plan was to spend at least three years traveling around the US and Canada. He wanted to be as self contained and independent as possible.

He knew that there was this thing called solar energy that would enable him to be free of plugging into an outlet. This article, in PDF tells of the many things he learned!

http://www.mikenchell.com/images/rv_pv.pdf

Enjoy!

Mike...

[R Keller]

Mike,

It looks like you might have tracked down the solar power info you need, but this might help you or someone else.

Like anything else, setting up a solar system can be pretty easy or it can be more elaborate.

In addition to the PV panel. You'll need a charge controller. That's the thing that will charge the battery at the right rate and keep from overcharging it (and, I believe, losing current from the battery back to the panel at night, though I think most panels now have diodes to stop this). You'll want to do is do a little research to figure out what panel size (wattage) is going to be optimum for the battery that you plan to charge.

A few years back I mail ordered a warrantied remaindered solar panel at: Solar Electric Inc. in San Diego http://www.solarelectricinc.com/. They have some really good deals on all sorts of factory second PV panels. I got one of the Unisolar 32 watt (2A at 16V) flexible panels.

The cool thing about this type of panel is that it is unbreakable, you can roll it into a pretty small radius and store it away, you can attach it to just about anything, and it's extra low profile. The Unisolar panels (including their rigid panels) have a series of internal diodes that allow the panel to keep producing current, even when partially shaded. They do have a lesser output for their size than some other panels, but they do work in partial shade. And of course, the flexible panels are a bit more expensive, but not outrageously so.

My solar setup that I've used at Burning Man for several years now for the "Spiro-Dome" at "Camp Spiro-Graph" consists of that panel mounted to the outside of the dome, and this unit, which is a small sealed battery, battery charger and 300W inverter all in one small portable case:

Xantrex Portawattz XPower 300

That unit was quite reasonably priced (cheaper than buying the components separately) and works well for a small system. The battery has large outputs so I'll be able put it in the galley to connect it to my trailer system. This system might not work for everyone since the battery is pretty small. Just 21 amp-hours. But the battery size is perfect for the 32W panel. It gets fully charged in about a half day in full sunshine.

Rik

[mikeschn]

Hey Rik,

I guess it is pretty simple stuff. I've told my wife that's what I want for my birthday. Now I just have to wait... and cross my fingers!!!



Mike...

Mike,

I'm not too surprised by the fact that they don't carry the lower voltage modules any longer. Using a higher voltage module like the SM55 along with a regulator is more efficient and adds very little complexity to the system. All you're doing is attaching the 2 wires from the module to the controller (regulator) then attaching the 2 wires from the regulator to the battery. Rest assured that the folks at Backwoods will never steer you wrong.

Q

Hey Q,

I got this message back from your friendly folks at backwoodssolar...

Hello Mike We no longer carry self-regulating modules but we can provide a module and separate controller which will accomplish the same thing. We have a $315.00 Shell SM55 watt module which can be effectively regulated by a $33.00 Sunguard controller. Scott

So how much complexity does this add to the system? Should I be looking for the same unit as you have? Please advise.

Mike...

[/quote]

[PhotoGuy]

Okay, I found what I thought I was looking for.

http://www.retroteardrop.com/project/build/galley1.php#

Except now I don't think he has solar????? At least it's not shown on his wiring diagram.

I guess I'll have to design a teardrop system on my own.

Mike...

Mike

Did you make up your own system? I need to make my own power for my tear when I build it. As I need to power a laptop and ext hard drives along with charging camera battery's when I am out working.

thanks

[Shadow Catcher]

Bruce actually has his solar system up and running, mine is still in boxes waiting to go on the trailer. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11275
sdtripper2's index at the top of the page has a fairly large solar section a bit past half way down. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=12276

[bdosborn]

Bruce actually has his solar system up and running, mine is still in boxes waiting to go on the trailer. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11275

Wow, I forgot all abut that post. I just re-read it and PV prices have come down a *LOT* since I posted it. I would expect to pay in the $1.85/watt range for a smokin' deal and around $3/watt for an average price. Anything higher and you're buying somebody's marketing.

An 80 watt solar panel seems to be the commodity size for RVs right now, with the best price per watt and lowest shipping. A 135 watt solar panel is about the largest they can send by UPS, anything bigger and you pay truck freight ($$$$).

I'm building a 60 watt folding solar panel out of two 30 watt panels that's pretty small. I'll post pictures when I'm done as it would be a slick setup for a teardrop.

Bruce