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Solar Panels

Yahoo Message Number: 585
I saw an old note in the files about a company, RV Solar in Scottsdale, AZ. Sounds like some of us here have had some valuable experiences. I am currently in Sedona, AZ and have been thinking seriously about getting some solar panels on my CC. I have a 2001 Affinity- all electric coach. Any recommendations?

Also, for those that have these panels, how are your solar panels working, any problems? Anything that I should know about the choice of panels, --- brands, number of panels, and any info about the use/care of these panels?

As you can tell, I don't know much about this subject.
Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Den

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 9650
Hi Everyone,

Could anyone out there recommend a good place (store or internet) to buy 110 watt solar panels? I currently have one 110 watt solar panel on my coach and it is not enough to keep my AGM batteries charged up. I also have HPV-22 Controller from Heloptrope. I'm in the market to buy two more 110 watt solar panels.

Thanks in advance,
Rick Barnette,

Fulltiming in a 2004, 36' Allure

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 9653
Hi Rick,

Try this site for backround into solar panels:
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/equipment.html
Fred Kovol

In Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com, surfsidebarney@a... wrote:

Quote
Hi Everyone,
> Could anyone out there recommend a good place (store or internet) to

buy 110

Quote
watt solar panels? I currently have one 110 watt solar panel on my

coach and

Quote
it is not enough to keep my AGM batteries charged up. I also have

HPV-22

Quote
Controller from Heloptrope. I'm in the market to buy two more 110

watt solar

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 9656
Rick, try these sites. Sorry, I haven't figured out how to post an active link yet.
www.solaronsale.com and www.solar-electric.com

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427

Quote from: surfsidebarney@a\.\.\.\[br\
] > Hi Everyone,

Could anyone out there recommend a good place (store or internet)

to buy 110

Quote
watt solar panels? I currently have one 110 watt solar panel on my

coach and

Quote
it is not enough to keep my AGM batteries charged up. I also have

HPV-22

Quote
Controller from Heloptrope. I'm in the market to buy two more 110

watt solar
'02 Intrigue #11427

Solar Panels

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20623
What are the thoughts regarding the installation of a solar panel to deal with low batteries when coach is in storage for an extended period of time.
I will be full timing after June 2006, however, my coach will be in storage for most of the time until June.

I'm having some service work done at Garranty in Gilroy, CA this week and have asked them to provide me with price quote for a 100 watt and 150 watt system.

Would this resolve my low house battery issue. I would also be able to use some the solar power while traveling in the future.
Any information regarding solar panel experieriences would be helpful.

Jock Vargo

2005 Inspire 330
51428

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20624
Hi Jock,

Click on the link below to get an idea of prices:

www.windsun.com/

(Northern Arizona Wind & Sun Inc - 2.6 miles E - 2725 E Lakin Dr # 2, Flagstaff, 86004 - (928) 526-8017)

For long term use, consider 600w (4 - 165w panels) or 50 amp peak.

You will also need a controller (charge controller).

These folks propably have the best equipment and pricing.

Fred Kovol

2000Allure30593

Solar Panels

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20627
Jock

The draw on my inspire was almost 3 amps after CC checked it at the East Coast Rally. I installed a manual shut off switch like the one on the start battery. This does not save your batteries for long extended periods, because they will loose their charge slowly over months. If you are able to plug in or run the gen once in a while, that will top off the batts. If you install the solar panels, hot wire to the batteries and install the switch. This will keep the batts topped off and eliminate running your gen.
I don't think, just having the panels will over come the 3 amp continues draw. If you are just keeping the batts up, a small panel will work. ( disconnected Batts. The other thing you can do is just disconnect your positive lead, isolating your house batts.
Having a switch is safer than wrenches in a battery compartment. Ned

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20629
3 amps? Any idea what is sucking that much power? I might guess the inverter, but you can allegedly shut that off at the power control center inside the coach. As for a disconnect switch, how about the one built in, just inside the door?

John 04 Inspire 51078

Quote from: hbatlantis
Jock

The draw on my inspire was almost 3 amps after CC checked it
at the East Coast

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20630
Jock, a solar panel to keep the batteries charged in storage is usually a good idea, particularly if you store it where electrical hookups are not available. Make sure you have a good controller which minimizes boiling off of the water in the batteries. I think I've seen where they have solar powered desulfaters too, which might be useful.

If the batteries start off in storage fully charged, you can probably get by with a fairly small panel. If you want to use it as a source of power, then the bigger, the better (and more expensive). Check out to see what tax breaks for solar are available in your state.

John 04 Inspire 51078

Quote from: Jock Vargo
What are the thoughts regarding the installation of a solar panel

to deal

Quote
with low batteries when coach is in storage for an extended period

of time.

Quote
I will be full timing after June 2006, however, my coach will be in

storage
 

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20631
Ned

After installing the house battery disconnect switch so that it disconnects ALL current flow from the battery, what sort of issues or problems did you encounter as far as re-programming "stuff" like the backup camera display, Inverter/charger control panel, and other things running off the battery?

My 04 Allure also draws around 2 to 3 Amps when "turned" off, because as we know, the standard disconnect system does not REALLY disconnect all loads from the house batteries.

I will be facing the same problem as I re-locate my storage from a nice under-cover, electric power available site to one out in the open with no power.

I'm hoping to find a small solar panel for roof mounting and capable of supplying around 12 Amps. I figure that in central Florida I ought to be able to have a nominal 6 hours of sunlight/day. Because the coach is drawing 3 Amps X 24 Hours = 72 Amp-Hrs, a solar panel capable of supplying 12 Amps ought to top off those batteries in the nominal 6 hour sunny day. Is there anyone out there with more experience who could verify or correct these assumptions?

Joe in Punta Gorda, FL
2004 Allure 36 #31031

Quote from: hbatlantis
The draw on my inspire was almost 3 amps after CC checked it
at the East Coast

Quote
Rally. I installed a manual shut off switch like the one on the
start battery.
Ned