[tcb] Re: Question About Dual Battery Set-Up And Solar Panels
- From: kelly dosch <kellydosch@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:49:04 -0800 (PST)
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,... )< (- (_ (_ `(
--
Justin Wilt
Technician
Post Oak Motorcars
Rolls Royce Motorcars Houston
Bentley Houston
1530 West Loop South
Houston TX 77095 USA
+1-713-850-1530
+1-713-539-4419
--
Justin Wilt
Technician
Post Oak Motorcars
Rolls Royce Motorcars Houston
Bentley Houston
1530 West Loop South
Houston TX 77095 USA
+1-713-850-1530
+1-713-539-4419
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