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Going Green

RoadTime

RoadTime

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
I'm no tree hugger, but I do like having enough power to run all my comfort gadgets in my Sprinter without having to use the generator and running down my auxiliary batteries. I was already into using anything solar. Previously utilizing solar rechargeable lights, glow in the dark pads, large jump box for charging things. But eventual, power is depleted.

So with my progression, I decided it was time to make a bigger jump to a solar panel to help keep my two auxiliary batteries charged.

The box unveiling...

1478b61bb3a06ad3d7cb38fb2ea90452.jpg


And the final install...

d81e692e060ee06ee4e7cacd6059be84.jpg


Already planning on adding a 2nd panel if needed

Special thanks to Turtle for all his help and guidance, as I am very electrically challenged


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T

Treadmill

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
RoadTime said:
I'm no tree hugger, but I do like having enough power to run all my comfort gadgets in my Sprinter without having to use the generator and running down my auxiliary batteries. I was already into using anything solar. Previously utilizing solar rechargeable lights, glow in the dark pads, large jump box for charging things. But eventual, power is depleted.

So with my progression, I decided it was time to make a bigger jump to a solar panel to help keep my two auxiliary batteries charged.

The box unveiling...

1478b61bb3a06ad3d7cb38fb2ea90452.jpg


And the final install...

d81e692e060ee06ee4e7cacd6059be84.jpg


Already planning on adding a 2nd panel if needed

Special thanks to Turtle for all his help and guidance, as I am very electrically challenged


Sent from my iPhone using EO Forums
Click to expand...
How much for the solar panel and how much for the install?
 
OntarioVanMan

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
or you could have just run more loads to keep charging....LOL

what do you have that uses that much power? I have 2 full sized AGM batteries and have sufficient for days
 
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RoadTime

RoadTime

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Treadmill said:
How much for the solar panel and how much for the install?
Click to expand...

I went with this starter kit. I did the install myself.

Amazon.com : Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Depending on how involved you want to get with the hook up, some extra cost for accessories. I needed to get my battery bank in better order anyways, so I did more then was necessary with the basic kit.

04b41ada6ba31e1e8dcc29f3a2901440.jpg


Just got off the phone with tech support. I was a little concerned that since last night my bank is already fully charged on a cloudy rainy day at 14.5 volts. They said this was normal and will settle back down to 13.8 volts.

e319a370339966d3282c011a705538f2.jpg


Picture of the included solar control...

fa829479ac38ea0c5eddafaaa5974c48.jpg



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Turtle

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
The phrase "Beam me up, Scotty" has never been said in any of the Star Trek television shows or movies.

Just thought you all would like to know that.
 
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Moot

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Turtle said:
The phrase "Beam me up, Scotty" has never been said in any of the Star Trek television shows or movies.

Just thought you all would like to know that.
Click to expand...
When I was doing LTL P&D I would pick up at one of the Bemis plants in Minneapolis. After picking up I would call into dispatch and say: Bemis aboard. I believe you have picked up at the Bemis plant in Centerville, IA. Bemis aboard!
 
RoadTime

RoadTime

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
No, your not seeing double. As I pretty much planned from the beginning, installed my 2nd solar panel today.

b5e7f3bfa1ef68373d03f0751aaa82c8.jpg


It was so easy to install and hook up the 2nd panel this time around. Maybe 30 mins from box to completion.

I've been pretty happy with the 1st solar panel, just wanted some more power

858f7f5eb0d69a8b9b7ef718cee020e3.png



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RoadTime

RoadTime

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Updated final completion of control panel.
Removed 400 watt inverter, added Xantrex battery monitor (which I highly recommend).
Replaced 1500 watt modified inverter (not shown) for 1500 watt pure wave inverter (major difference).

60a0013ffbd5cf80110c838ee507ea3b.jpg


Two new batteries added.

ed59396b7699cb682633a441c4dc8a80.jpg


Also, added a cube fridge which I love, good bye ice cooler


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brokcanadian

brokcanadian

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Pricey but worth it. I remember my walmart fridge going clank clank while driving, and running out of juice so my food went all slimy

I've only got 2 105 amp marines tho
 
RoadTime

RoadTime

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Transfer, Add-on, and Epic Fail?

I started my transfer of my solar panels to my new van yesterday.

I'm adding 2 more solar panels for a total of 4 this time. Several months back, I added 2 more 12 volt batteries to my battery bank for a total of 4 also.

The 2 solar panel /4 battery bank set up was adequate, but still lacking at times. I figured going to 4 panels should be the sweet spot to meet my needs.

The new 4 panel placement configuration needed to be set up different to avoid a lot of wire splicing (which I didn't want to get into).

Drilling and prepping 34 holes felt like it took forever. Several times, I wished I would of went with some of the other installation options I was exploring. But I was in too deep to back out now. I was using a little different securement method this time, the process was more labor intensive then I planned. Once I got this done, it was time to start securing the panels to the roof.

Then a horrifying moment occurred on my first panel, I could not get the screws to engage with the locking securement I was using.
OMG, I was looking in panic at a Epic Fail :eek:

Gathering my thoughts, I tried to figure out why this wasn't working. I found another screw that seemed to work but was too short.

Came to the conclusion, that the nice older man at Home Depot may have recommended the wrong screw. It seemed to work at the time, but obviously something was not working now. Quickly packed up and headed to Menards.

Found the correct sized screw that seemed to be engaging with the locking device like it should, and headed back home to try again.

To my great relief, the screw engaged this time securing the panel to the roof.

After 7 hours, with day light all but gone, and sore as hell :rolleyes: I got two panels in place and had to call it a day.

Today should go much smoother, as most of the hard work has been done.

Two down, two to go ;)

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