Hi all, been a while since I've been on here, hope all are well. I am currently in north central Wisconsin finishing up potato harvest and will be heading to Quartzite AZ. on or around the 21st of this month. I have been camped at the very nice Vista Royalle campground in Bancroft WI. for almost two months now where Scott (the owner) has given me an excellent rate for a FHU site, but now I need to get ready for some boondocking and that means solar. My intention is to purchase a complete 300W system on my way to Quartzite and install it when I get there. What I would like to know is if anyone has any recommendations as to where I want to go to buy this between here and there. Thanks, Rick
On my way to Quartzite - where to buy solar?
- Thread starter Trainrick
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He must be psychic - I no sooner finish posting this question here when I go to YouTube and guess who has just posted a video on the best place to buy solar? That's right - Bob. I would still like to hear from others but man, it just figures.
You could order a kit online from Home Depot and have it delivered to a store along your intended route, several days in advance of you arriving in that town.
Here is a 300 watt kit from Renogy:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Renogy-...f-Grid-Solar-System-STARTER300P-W30/302175784
Here is a 300 watt kit from Renogy:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Renogy-...f-Grid-Solar-System-STARTER300P-W30/302175784
Google's always watching and listening these says.Trainrick said:
Scary, truly sometimes, stuff I've only discussed IRL not on a screen.
Some stuff I need to get to but didn't discuss with anyone.
AI getting better every month.
Trainrick said:
We can help each other do our installs. I'm planning on doing the exact same thing, especially after watching that video. I used to be an electronics technician for the Marine Corps, so I'm hoping I can figure this stuff out well enough to keep from catching myself on fire.
Rick, you could definitely be a big help for people. Many people with vans don't want to drill holes in the roof, so they get those tall off-the-shelf ladder racks and attach the solar panels to those in some manner. So the panels are riding high above the roof, and also not at all stealthy.Trainrick said:
I don't so much like either of those ideas, and would like to build a short steel frame that could attach directly to the van rain gutters (eg, Chevy Express and GMC Savana), with screws and possible spot-welding. Then the solar panels could attach to the steel frame. A guy with your knowledge could fabricate that kind of thing. I think a lot of people would want it,
. It could be designed as a grid to take one or multiple panels, probably 4 or 6 max.
highdesertranger
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solar is pretty basic, I am sure all of you will pick it up quick especially if someone points you in the right direction. at the van build and at the RTR there are many that I am sure will help with the technical side. some might even help with the labor. I don't want to volunteer anybody but there are experts that will be at both events. highdesertranger
My first inclination would be to modify an existing set of gutter clamp racks to suit your purpose. Welding is the killer, lots of amps and I'm not sure if I could run even a small wire feed off of my Onan genset.....I'll look into that
Thanks highdesertranger, I could use some pointing in the right direction......
Thanks highdesertranger, I could use some pointing in the right direction......
What about a small acetylene bottle to carry in the truck/van/whatever?Trainrick said:
Modification of existing gutter racks might be good, since they already have the gutter attachment. They could be, say, cut in half in the vertical dimension and the solar panel rack attached down low.
I was thinking of having such a steel panel grid thing made by some welding shop. OTOH, I suppose it could also be made out of 1" square aluminum tubing, in which case I could cut it and drill it myself, use T-brackets to attach the frame members. So far, it's just been a thought. If I get to RTR, I had planned to look around at as many vans as possible to see what different people have done, for ideas.
highdesertranger
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I have a Ready Welder, runs off of 24-36vdc. works great see it here,
http://readywelder.com/
highdesertranger
http://readywelder.com/
highdesertranger
highdesertranger
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well I bought mine in about 1998 for somewhere in the vicinity 350 bucks. it was the basic model which appears go for around 600 bucks today. let me tell you I have used many different wire welders(MIG) from cheap Harbor Freight ones to Lincolns and Millers. this little welder is a great welder and welds as good as welders costing 5k. highdesertranger
Trainrick said:
Just looked it up. It's $600 - $700, not counting the batteries.
I'm guessing there is only so much welding one can do in a day, before you have to recharge your batteries. But for an emergency, that would be great.
Moxadox
Well-known member
CaravanCaravan said:
That's mobile life for you! There are natural limits that become a rhythm. Can be frustrating at first, not plugged in to house current. You get used to it. Then it becomes acceptable. Then it becomes the poetry of life.
The Dire Wolfess
MrNoodly
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Northern Arizona Wind & Sun in Flagstaff. They can set you up with everything, including custom length cables and esoteric bits.
https://www.solar-electric.com/
https://www.solar-electric.com/
Poorly done emergency welds can be done with three batteries and some smaller diameter rods with some really good jumper cables. The Ready welder paired with a beefed up charging system/battery bank is really a good mobile system. Quite a few Jeep frame repairs done while on the trail with these.
