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Old 02-26-2012, 06:04 PM   #41
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I was just curious about costs and efficiency. I don't feel a great need to add anything, but I seem to find something new to do every year. This year it is a new floor and making a new dinette table. A TV in the bedroom has crossed my mind, but I am trying to repress that thought.

Gene
If you ever get to Udvar-Hazy, check out those units. In a way, more valuable than the payload aboard those ICBM's. Awesome to actually see them.

A TV in the bedroom has crossed my mind,

The reasons for a solar bank are many. I always figured the "best" trailer can accommodate two couples or about [4] adults with varying agendas. A second "office" or "lounge" is therefore mandatory. The solar project is going to have a lot of wiring in power distribution, AFAICT.

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Old 02-26-2012, 06:56 PM   #42
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Has anyone done objective tests of the gain in charging from tilting panels? What is the cost of the tilt kits?

I suppose I could jack up one end of the trailer but the fridge wouldn't like it.

Gene
A simple approximation is output = full rated output * cosine(angle of sun with respect to panel).

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Old 02-26-2012, 09:04 PM   #43
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My wife ans I just spent over two weeks off the grid near Lake Havasu AZ. We charged the batteries with a 1000i Yamaha. One of the batteries failed. We replaced both of the batteries with the same Interstate Batteries that came with the trailer in 2010. After the replacement we had no further power problems.

Last fall I replaced all the lights with LEDs.

At one time I read (here I believe) about a flexible solar panel that was being manufactured in Prescot AZ. I stoped in Prescot, but was unable to locate the company.

Can any one refer me to a flexable solar panel supplier?

We are in the South West for another month and want to hire the Instalation.

Jay
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Old 02-26-2012, 09:09 PM   #44
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My wife ans I just spent over two weeks off the grid near Lake Havasu AZ. We charged the batteries with a 1000i Yamaha. One of the batteries failed. We replaced both of the batteries with the same Interstate Batteries that came with the trailer in 2010. After the replacement we had no further power problems.

Last fall I replaced all the lights with LEDs.

At one time I read (here I believe) about a flexible solar panel that was being manufactured in Prescot AZ. I stoped in Prescot, but was unable to locate the company.

Can any one refer me to a flexable solar panel supplier?

We are in the South West for another month and want to hire the Instalation.

Jay
In the movie "Who killed the electric car" the old guy who owned the company which manufactured solar panels, they had a flexible solar panel... I forget the name though! Go watch the movie and then watch the sequel, both were good.

Sorry I couldn't be more help,

Brandon
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Old 02-26-2012, 10:07 PM   #45
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We read the increase by appropriate tilting (i.e., at least 4X/year adjusting to correct angle for yur latitude), can relize 30 to 40% increase in solar gain versus flat panels. Likely works out to the cosine Bart offered, eh? We tilt only one panel, ours are mounted too close together to tilt both without the front one shading the other.

But the improvement is immense in two ways. We are, for the first time ever, picking up charging current by 7:30 a.m., and by 10 we are at float rate.
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Old 02-27-2012, 05:40 AM   #46
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At one time I read (here I believe) about a flexible solar panel that was being manufactured in Prescot AZ. I stoped in Prescot, but was unable to locate the company.

Can any one refer me to a flexable solar panel supplier?


Jay

Jay,

Not an endorsement...

I have 30w of flexible ICP panels, used to keep batteries charged while on the pad.(before getting SP).
Not a practical option where we camp most often, although they did come in handy when our Xandex converter up-grade took a dump.

We all have our own boondocking preferences, a permanent solar array is not one of ours at this time.

Bob
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Old 02-27-2012, 08:38 AM   #47
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A simple approximation is output = full rated output * cosine(angle of sun with respect to panel).

- Bart
Bart,

I haven't seen a cosine since high school. Last time I saw one it was cavorting with a hypotenuse and they were both put in detention.

Without tilted panels, I get some charging current shortly after dawn.

Gene
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Old 02-27-2012, 09:02 AM   #48
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Bart,

I haven't seen a cosine since high school. Last time I saw one it was cavorting with a hypotenuse and they were both put in detention.

Without tilted panels, I get some charging current shortly after dawn.

Gene
I expected the conversation would go off on a tangent

We see the same thing; I hear the controller relay click on shortly after sunlight hits the open vent. For summer camping, I don't need to tip the panels - they charge the batteries quite quickly. In the winter, we tend to use more lights and the sun is less strong, so we may not catch up completely every day. However, that's good enough for now. If I fit those tilt bars, I'll need to bring along a ladder to adjust 'em. I think it would be worthwhile if I were parked somewhere for weeks, but for a weekend outing which is what we can manage in terms of time off they're unneeded.

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Old 02-27-2012, 12:50 PM   #49
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I expected the conversation would go off on a tangent
And that's never a good sine.

Our experience is the same with the panels. Camping in late October into November means conserving more power even with 200 watts, new batteries and upgraded converter. I do bring a ladder, but unless we find a significant need for tilting, it would be tilting at windmills for now. Of course, someone will come up with motorized, remote operated tilters and maybe they already have. I'll bet Lew could build it. Or just install a reflector at the back of the panel if you always park the same way (foldable to avoid wind issues when driving).

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Old 02-27-2012, 05:59 PM   #50
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Factory Solar?

We just ordered our 2012 30' Flying Cloud for delivery first week of April, with the factory installed solar and inverter system. Was this a mistake? Or is the factory system done right?
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Old 02-27-2012, 06:27 PM   #51
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Hibby,

I don't know about the factory system. The dealer installed an aftermarket one.

Gene
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Old 02-27-2012, 06:57 PM   #52
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I think you can save money by pricing a system
separately .
My 92 had a sticker of $1,100 for the solar package, consisting of a 30w panel connected to the battery's.
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Old 02-27-2012, 07:12 PM   #53
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My dealer charged me $700 for the factory solar and controller (not including the inverter, which was another $637) and I think it's a 100w panel...
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Old 02-27-2012, 08:31 PM   #54
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Hibby,

I think if your serious about getting a quality system for the best price the consensus would be to go to the aftermarket.

Bob
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Old 02-27-2012, 09:43 PM   #55
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Hibby-
Conversely, if you're looking to grab your new 'stream & run out of town to play... You did just fine getting the pre-fab panels (I'm guessing that ship sailed for your order/purchase). Like anything else "techy" it's antiquated before you leave the dealer, at some point you just commit & go on your way... OR... you could park your AS in storage & spend months agonizing over panel choices, installation options, relays, pricing, etc.

Congratulations & enjoy you new toy!
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Old 02-27-2012, 09:51 PM   #56
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mjayjensen-
There's a billion "flex" panels out there, but one of the big brands is BRUNTON. They have a lot of military contracts & rugged R&D on their products. I've used a few in dire circumstances with good results, but not in conjunction with my AS. REI used to & may still(?) carry them, if so you can try & return if not up to par-a rare treat for a "technical" item.
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Old 02-28-2012, 05:09 PM   #57
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Yes, I think for now, I'm going to "let the ship sail". I agree that perhaps I could do a bit better by going aftermarket in terms of cost or performance, but you're probably right about agonizing over the details. I'm big on getting the job done, so I can spend more time playing and less time fretting the small stuff.

If and when we decide to go on extended travel trips, which will surely wait until retirement is near, we'll perhaps upgrade to bigger and better. At that time, I'm sure that I will be able to buy a solar array that's the size of my cellphone and will power all of Manhattan. For $100!
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Old 02-28-2012, 05:14 PM   #58
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Yes, I think for now, I'm going to "let the ship sail". I agree that perhaps I could do a bit better by going aftermarket in terms of cost or performance, but you're probably right about agonizing over the details. I'm big on getting the job done, so I can spend more time playing and less time fretting the small stuff.

If and when we decide to go on extended travel trips, which will surely wait until retirement is near, we'll perhaps upgrade to bigger and better. At that time, I'm sure that I will be able to buy a solar array that's the size of my cellphone and will power all of Manhattan. For $100!
GOOD choice..git' out and enjoy!!!

Bob
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Old 03-02-2012, 02:03 PM   #59
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Another thought for the portable or flex panels is GoalZero. We bought the "breifcase" unit that unfolds for emergency power. It is well engineered and constructed ... for temporary use but not as a permanent install.
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