Solar Panel deal

[ShrimpBurrito]

That's the cost I was thinking. Sounds like a real nice setup.

Dave

[Wavery]

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......

[ShrimpBurrito]

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

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.

[Wavery]

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.

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.

[MudDog]

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...

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by MudDog

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...

The connectors that I purchased don't need a special tool. Although, I did solder the actual wire connector onto the end of the wire before assembling (instead of just crimping it).

There is a nut that you put on the wire first. Then you solder the wire connector to the wire, push the connector into the housing. Then screw the nut onto the housing. The housing has a special seal that tightens against the wire as you tighten the nut.

[MudDog]

I took the TM out of the garage today to install a Xantrex LinkLite battery monitor and took a few pictures of the solar install.

First picture shows where I installed the Solar Controller Remote Display and LinkLite.

Second picture shows where I installed the controller (looking down into the dinette storage area)

Third picture shows the panels on the front shell. Will take another picture closer up when I fold it down later today.

[Wavery]

Beautiful job........

Originally Posted by harveyrv

If anyone is thinking of solar panels, this is a GREAT deal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/80-Watt-solar-pa...item335aaf4bcb

I purchased 2, of these same panels from this seller (@ $240 each) and I can't say enough about them. At @ $209 (incl S&H) they are a steal.

I just purchased two 80W panels from same seller (I think/hope) and my total price including S&H is 426.66.