[tcb] Re: Question About Dual Battery Set-Up And Solar Panels
- From: Gerald Livingston <gerald.tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:23:56 -0600
4 batteries just for the stereo. I carry another to run the coffee pot
on an inverter.
Using an 80 amp Progressive Dynamics Inteli Power RV battery maintainer
to keep them charged. Plugged in any time I'm where I can. No charging
from the stock 38amp generator.
4 x 92Ah AGM batteries (no-spill, like Optimas except bigger).
There are pictures of the install in the '70 somewhere on
http://www.texasvolksbus.irg/1970
G2
On Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:49:04 -0800 (PST)
kelly dosch <kellydosch@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Oooooh,... a four battery set-up? (insert loud Tim Alan grunt
> here) Niiice.
>
> --- On Fri, 1/21/11, Denis Dodson <coocoo@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> From: Denis Dodson <coocoo@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: [tcb] Re: Question About Dual Battery Set-Up And Solar Panels
> To: tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Friday, January 21, 2011, 5:27 PM
>
> Where are you, Gerald? Hellooooo G2. Come in G2 and explain the RV
> setup we put together. It is not solar, and you need to run the
> engine or plug it in to AC to charge it, but it will run accessories
> for a long time. I only have one orange battery, but I think G2 runs
> 4. From: tcb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tcb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On Behalf Of Gregory Rogers Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 4:21 PM
> To: tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tcb] Re: Question About Dual Battery
> Set-Up And Solar Panels I new to this list and am a Westy newbie. I
> had some of the same questions as you about solar. There's a good
> write up at http://www.mrsolar.com/page/MSOS/CTGY/rv. I think that in
> buying the kits from them, you're likely to pay more than you
> otherwise might. But you get a tested and proven set up. I think
> solar is the last power source to add. You'll need it only if / when
> you want to go totally off grid. No AC and no use of the bus
> alternator (or portable generator) for several days. And of course
> you'll need a kit like
> http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3567&category_id=337&category_parent_id=
> to make sure both batteries operate as intended and are kept isolated
> when needed. There are cheaper ways to accomplish this too but a kit
> like this is proven and complete.There's a good write up on in the
> type 2 archives on how to do it.Greg74 WestyOn Fri, Jan 21, 2011 at
> 4:06 PM, Justin Wilt <sunbugone@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:It's more of a
> science project to me. I find it interesting. It is my test bed for
> future projects. If you are patient and wait for the right sale, you
> can get harbor freight 45watt solar panel kits for $120 each. You
> can build solar panels yourself and save even more money. I have
> less than $600 into my current setup. I can use it for the
> occasional power outage, hurricanes, camping etc.. I plan on running
> service from my shed to the garage and running all of my florescent
> lights off of it as well. It is not for everyone and not cheap but I
> plan on building it bigger over time. I am not looking for a payback
> by any means. Sams has 105 amp hour batteries for $66 and remember
> to bring an old battery for the $9 core charge. To answer your bus
> question, yes, you can charge the battery off a hook up or alternator
> but if you are camping somewhere without a hook up are you going to
> run your engine all night?? You wouldn't have to if you had a solar
> panel charging the battery during the day. Just a thoughtOn Fri, Jan
> 21, 2011 at 3:56 PM, kelly dosch <kellydosch@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:Wow! 66
> bux? I even have a Sam's Club membership! Thanks! I never think of
> them for automotive needs. So you have invested what, at least $1000
> into running your shed "for free"? By my calculations, that may or
> may not pay for itself by the time you have to replace all the
> batteries. I have to tell ya, I still don't get it. For household
> purposes like that, maybe a windmill and a solar water heater. Those
> are actually cost effective. But back to the RV's. When you have an
> alternator and usually electric hook-up, why spend the money for a
> solar panel? I'm not trying to argue. I honestly just wonder if there
> is a benefit I am overlooking. Come to think of it, if one must have
> a green energy supply on a bus, what could look more appropriate than
> several multicolored pinwheels mounted on top, each with a tiny
> generator? Ha! OK, that was a joke, but,.......Error! Filename not
> specified.
>
> --- On Fri, 1/21/11, Justin Wilt <sunbugone@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> From: Justin Wilt <sunbugone@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [tcb] Re: Question About Dual Battery Set-Up And Solar Panels
> To: tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx: Friday, January 21, 2011, 4:28 PM
> Actually, Sams Club seems to have the best price on deep cycle
> batteries. They start at $66. They are interstate brand. I am
> running my storage shed in my back yard completely off solar. It's
> not cheap to set up but it makes your camper self sufficient when it
> comes to power. It all depends on your solar cell output (the sun)
> and the amp hour rating of your battery. I have 4, 120 amp hour
> batteries in my shed and 120W solar power charging them. From there
> you can run an inverter that bumps the voltage from 12, 24 or 48
> volts to 120volts AC current. I have lights and a small refrigerator
> full of beer running completely off the sun. I plan on transferring
> this setup into my camper when it comes out of the body shop. There
> are amp hour and inverter calculators online that tell you how long
> you can run a device. No RV service connection needed! Justin On
> Fri, Jan 21, 2011 at 3:18 PM, kelly dosch <kellydosch@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> Hello. I need to get a deep cycle RV battery for my Westfalia
> Campmobile. I'm seeing about a gazillion types with vastly varying
> prices. ($120-$600!) Is it really all that complicated or can I just
> get the cheap Sears Marine/RV battery? ($120) Also, I have noticed a
> lot of Westies with solar panels. Why? If they have a campsite with
> electrical hook-up the battery can charge itself. If not, the
> alternator will charge it during a short drive. I don't get it. Why
> would anybody want to drop $400 for a solar panel? (Tell me it isn't
> just to be "green".) Thanks for your time,... )< (- (_ (_ `(
>
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