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03-06-2010, 06:29 PM
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#1
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Guest
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Thanks for the pictures. The panels do look very solid. And the dimensions (36" x 26" x 1.4") might make them more resistant to a twist or bend causing breakage. And the weight (18#) is nice, a little easier to setup.
The 130W Kyocera's I was looking at are almost 2 feet longer (59" x 26") but a bit thicker (1.8") and definitely heavier (29#). The additional thickness is only in the new models as they claim to have beefed up the frame.
Just found this site that compares prices per watt of solar panels:
http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/solar_panels.htm
Thoughts about the site:
- Some pretty low prices there, but most require large quantities.
- The 60W Kaneka panels (Japanese) are very cheap but also heavy (32# per 60W panel) and high voltage (92V Open circuit) which won't work with some MPPT controllers. But they're amorphous Si which I understand to be very sturdy. http://sunelec.com/index.php?main_page=kaneka_gsa60
- "We prefer not to include any cheaper Chinese solar modules at this time due to quality and after-sale service concerns", hmmm ... guess that's why there's no LaVie.
Decisions, decisions. Luckily it'll be while before we're boondocking, so there's no rush.
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03-06-2010, 07:44 PM
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#2
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,840
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brulaz
Thanks for the pictures. The panels do look very solid. And the dimensions (36" x 26" x 1.4") might make them more resistant to a twist or bend causing breakage. And the weight (18#) is nice, a little easier to setup.
The 130W Kyocera's I was looking at are almost 2 feet longer (59" x 26") but a bit thicker (1.8") and definitely heavier (29#). The additional thickness is only in the new models as they claim to have beefed up the frame.
Just found this site that compares prices per watt of solar panels:
http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/solar_panels.htm
Thoughts about the site:
- Some pretty low prices there, but most require large quantities.
- The 60W Kaneka panels (Japanese) are very cheap but also heavy (32# per 60W panel) and high voltage (92V Open circuit) which won't work with some MPPT controllers. But they're amorphous Si which I understand to be very sturdy. http://sunelec.com/index.php?main_page=kaneka_gsa60
- "We prefer not to include any cheaper Chinese solar modules at this time due to quality and after-sale service concerns", hmmm ... guess that's why there's no LaVie.
Decisions, decisions. Luckily it'll be while before we're boondocking, so there's no rush.
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I don't think the added weight would be in the frame. The frame on these panels are truly very strong. I can't see any reason to beef them up. It would just be added weight with little return.
I think that it may be in thicker glass. Tempered glass is extremely strong when it is thick enough. Try breaking a car window some time. It's hard to do even with a hammer.
If this tempered glass is too thin, it can break fairly easily. That's why I say that I wouldn't step on these thinks or drop tools on them.
__________________
TrailManor Elkmont
640W solar- 230AH LiFeP04 Battery
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03-15-2010, 11:44 AM
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#3
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,246
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MudDog - What did the whole package set you back?
Dave
__________________
2000 2720SL & 2007 3124KB
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Twin Battle Born 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 (BBGC2) batteries, 300W solar on rear shell, Link 10, Lift kit, Maxxis 8008 225 75/R15 E tires
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03-15-2010, 02:41 PM
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#4
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ventura County, CA
Posts: 273
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I went with a few more bells and whistles than Wayne did (and didn't get a free controller )
Total (with tax and shipping was right about $1k
2 80 Watt Panels - $418
MPPT Controller with LCD Display, Battery Temp Sensor and PC Adapter $358
50' MC-4 Extension and 2 MC-4 Y Connectors - $58
2 sets Rocker Mounts with Optional Tilt Bars - $170
25' #8 wire and fuse - ?
__________________
Former:
2009 2619 w/swing tongue
TV 2010 Tacoma Dbl Cab PreRunner
Prodigy Brake Controller/TST TPMS
15" Maxxis M8008 225/75R15
Honda EU2000i (Tri-Fuel Converted)
160W Solar/Morningstar Sunsaver MPPT
Xantrex Link-Lite & ProWatt SW2000 Inverter
Current:
2016 KZ Vision 23BHS
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 3.5 EcoBoost
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03-15-2010, 03:37 PM
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#5
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,246
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That's the cost I was thinking. Sounds like a real nice setup.
Dave
__________________
2000 2720SL & 2007 3124KB
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Twin Battle Born 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 (BBGC2) batteries, 300W solar on rear shell, Link 10, Lift kit, Maxxis 8008 225 75/R15 E tires
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03-15-2010, 04:29 PM
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#6
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,840
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These panels are actually a bit of over-kill, if you camp where there is good Sun exposure. However, for a solar system to really be effective, I think that you must go with over-kill because you can't count on all sunny days and good exposure in all camp sites.
We ran our lights at will, I even left the porch light on all night. We ran the furnace all night (starting at Sunset) and did not conserve at all. Our batteries were at 12.8V by 9:AM and 14.7V by 1:PM, each day.
Sunday morning 8:AM, after 3 nights
Sunday noon, just before leaving.
I left my ammeter at home......
__________________
TrailManor Elkmont
640W solar- 230AH LiFeP04 Battery
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03-15-2010, 05:05 PM
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#7
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,246
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Does the federal solar system tax credit also apply to RVs? I'm fairly confident that the tax code considers RVs and boats residences, as you can deduct loan interest on such vehicles, so why wouldn't the solar credit also apply? IIRC, the credit is for something like 30% of the price of the system & installation. And that's a CREDIT, not a deduction, so it's like getting a 30% refund on your solar system.
For those who are interested, check out the relevant IRS publication:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf
It appears as though travel trailer installations qualify.
Dave
__________________
2000 2720SL & 2007 3124KB
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Twin Battle Born 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 (BBGC2) batteries, 300W solar on rear shell, Link 10, Lift kit, Maxxis 8008 225 75/R15 E tires
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03-15-2010, 06:46 PM
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#8
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Guest
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Another good MPPT controller:
http://www.roguepowertech.com/products/mpt3024.htm
Gets good reviews at the Northern Arizona Wind & Sun Forum / Solar Product Reviews & Opinions. Includes the LCD display and battery temp sensor in the package.
Made off-grid in Oregon.
How do you find the MC4 snap connectors? Do they look like they will handle multiple disconnects? Wasn't sure if they were designed for easy but permanent installations.
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03-15-2010, 07:37 PM
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#9
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,840
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brulaz
Another good MPPT controller:
http://www.roguepowertech.com/products/mpt3024.htm
Gets good reviews at the Northern Arizona Wind & Sun Forum / Solar Product Reviews & Opinions. Includes the LCD display and battery temp sensor in the package.
Made off-grid in Oregon.
How do you find the MC4 snap connectors? Do they look like they will handle multiple disconnects? Wasn't sure if they were designed for easy but permanent installations.
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I don't think that I would like to disconnect those MC4 connectors daily but for 15-20 camp-outs a year, I think they will be OK. They are kind of a pain to disconnect. The little prongs that you have to squeeze in don't fit my big old fingers very well.
__________________
TrailManor Elkmont
640W solar- 230AH LiFeP04 Battery
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03-15-2010, 07:48 PM
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#10
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ventura County, CA
Posts: 273
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The MC-4 connectors seems pretty sturdy and seem like they would handle fairly frequent connecting/disconnecting.
They sell ends that you can attach to your own cable - for those you apparently need a special tool to make the connection water-tight.
For the pre-made cables they just click together. To release you squeeze a couple of tabs in and the connection comes apart.
I could actually probably get another 15-20' extension and use it to put one of the solar panels on a portable ground mount if I found myself someplace where there was too much shade on the roof.....hmmmm...
__________________
Former:
2009 2619 w/swing tongue
TV 2010 Tacoma Dbl Cab PreRunner
Prodigy Brake Controller/TST TPMS
15" Maxxis M8008 225/75R15
Honda EU2000i (Tri-Fuel Converted)
160W Solar/Morningstar Sunsaver MPPT
Xantrex Link-Lite & ProWatt SW2000 Inverter
Current:
2016 KZ Vision 23BHS
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 3.5 EcoBoost
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