Revisiting Theo's solar install

[cyndi]

OK, nothing short of a catastrophic event will prevent Theo's solar installation at the RTR this year, in Q.<br /><br />Bob? Steve? I was talking to Steve last night and saw your post, about the prices of a recent install you guys did. Those prices looked amazing!<br /><br />If I am at my son's in Vegas, Victorville is just a couple of hours away. Would it be worth me driving out there to take advantage of those prices?&nbsp;<br /><br />225 watt solar panel-$240<br />MPPT Controller-$200<br />Cables-$60<br />Fuse $10<br />============<br />total $510<br /><br />Or is on line ordering/shipping an option?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[Blaker55]

Beware.<br />Be sure you understand the shipping costs involved and shipping method.<br />Some companies will not ship over 140 watt via Fed ex or UPS. &nbsp;They want to put it on a large truck and in my case that would have been over $200.<br /><br />I was able to get free fedex shipping via an internet transaction but ended up paying more for the panel, but still considerably less cost than the other big truck method.<br /><br />Not saying any of this isnt a great deal. &nbsp;Just be sure you are clear on the shipping method.

 

[cyndi]

Sooooooooooooo... The integrity of Theo's roof is in question. I'm still planning on installing solar in Quartzsite (HA! not me, but my good, kind and generous RTR buddies will do the installation) I'm thinking I will drive Theo into the ground and when her roof shakes loose I'll replace the rig. Hopefully, that will give me time to save the required $$$.<br>Because I don't know where and when that will happen I don't know if I will have the help needed remove panels from the roof. Also, the roof flying off and damaging the panels is something I'd like to avoid.<br><br>I'm looking at foldable panels. I know these are pricey for 120 watts. I think the wattage will be fine, for starting out and I can add to them later, if necessary. I really only need enough watts for charging electronic devices and lights. I do plan on adding a 12 volt fridge/freezer in the future<br><br>Your opinion and other options are anxiously awaited.<br><br><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://www.portablesolarpower.biz/c...els/products/120-watt-folding-solar-panel-kit</span></strong></span><br><br>Thanks, in advance

 

[owl]

Cyndi, I am by no means an expert in this area, but for what it's worth. Most everyone here in Az. installs panels on their roofs. I spend my summers in the Sierra at 5300 feet. The trees in this area are 200 feet high and throw quite a shadow, so using portable panels is the only way to go. I have no desire to have to park in the sun in order to recharge. The smaller portable panels work quite well for the intended use. If your electrical demands are going to be high, the more watts will be called for. In my experience, needing only to recharge the battery for lights (led) and the auto lighting of the water heater etc. the portables work quite well.

 

[cyndi]

Thanks, Owl, that was one of my considerations, too.<br><br>

 

[crazybill]

Cyndi, my only objections to that type of panel are room for storage and security. You have to be able to watch them when they are out. They are a popular theft target. <br>-Bill-

 

[akrvbob]

The Unisolar flexible panels may be just what you want. They roll up for storage and are nearly indestructible. If you remember,&nbsp; we installed two of them at the first RTR. Amazon has them for a good price;<br><br>http://www.amazon.com/144-Installti...d=1356199979&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=unisolar<br><br>They have a quick disconnect so you just lay them out in the desert and roll them up when you want to leave. We installed the 58 watt panels and they rolled up nice and small. These are twice as long so I don't know how small they will roll up. My guess is pretty small.<br><br>The rumor is that Unisolar is going out of buiness, but I'm&nbsp; not sure if that is true or not. They have an outstanding reputation for reliability, so i am not sure if i would let that stop me from getting one. <br><br>At over $2.00 a watt, that isn't a great price, compared to the cheapest panels, but it is a terrific price for a Unisolar flexible panel.<br><br>I think it would work for you. <br>Bob

 

[cyndi]

Bill,yup!I definately wouldn't be leaving it out.<br><br>Bob, thanks, I am looking at those, too. I like the price way better But I like the brief case style, a lot! I'll have to decide if I like it $200's worth better. hmmm...

 

[peacetara]

Cyndi, you will get a lot more electricity from a regular mounted panel, vs the foldable ones.

I understand your worry about being able to take the panels off if/when your vehicle finally gives up. But if you have bob and the others install, it will be 4 bolts, and 2 wires. The wires just pull apart from the panel, and the boots you just turn till it's off. I know any woman could handle this! The larger panels are a little heavy, but you would be taking it down OFF the roof, and you could probably just slide it down the few feet off the roof onto the ground. Perhaps the only issue is if you were not able to get up onto the roof, which could be an accessibility issue, depending on your physical abilities, but with some imagination most could probably manage. Of course the other option is to have someone help you, I imagine you would want help moving all of your stuff over (clothes, kitchen stuff, etc) anyways!

So I'm sure you could handle it, if you choose to go down that route.

 

[cyndi]

Thanks, Tara! I have "issues" that would prevent me from removing the panels from the roof, myself. I have developed a system for doing most things, though, so help moving things that are on ground level isn't necessary.

 

[peacetara]

Oh Issues. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; I'm glad you have managed to come up with ways that work for you!&nbsp; And I'm glad it's just an a11y thing, and not a 'I'm a woman I can't turn a bolt thing'.&nbsp; That just annoys me <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; My 14yr old girl just replaced a screen on an iPod Touch, all by herself (ok I helped her some), but it's a LOT of work.&nbsp; She isn't the geeky into computer things, she just wanted the screen to not be broken (she dropped it on the ground and cracked the screen), so we ordered the part, got the tools, and watched youtube videos on how to do it, and then.. we got a BAD part, it came in broken, but she marked every screw, and where it went, and we put it all away, returned the bad part, and got a new part. It took a few weeks longer than we wanted, but a little patience, and a few hours, and she gets to play again! I can't tell you how proud I am of her!&nbsp; I love that kids don't realize how hard something may be, and just go DO it.<br><br>I'm deaf, but I get upset when someone tells me I can't do something.&nbsp; The only thing I can't do is HEAR.&nbsp; Everything else is easy comparatively! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[grammahugababy]

Cyndi,&nbsp; it looks like that 18 foot flexible panel is the same one I have.&nbsp; Bob can tell you if it is the same.&nbsp; He helped me order it.&nbsp; Mine is installed and seems to be working great.&nbsp; I haven't been out on the road since my son installed it so I haven't put it to the test yet but there are a couple of things you need to know.&nbsp; I don't know if you have any limitations on bending over but you will have to roll it up when you bring it in.&nbsp; It doesn't seem to be too heavy, maybe about 15 pounds.&nbsp; I roll it up and cinch a belt around it then put it into a canvas bag to store it.&nbsp; We did have to improvise with the quick connect wires.&nbsp; We couldn't find any here in yuppyville, (Chandler, AZ) GRIN, that my arthritic old hands could work so Tim used some 12 volt extension cord thingies.&nbsp; Yep, thingies is a word in MY vocabulary.&nbsp; LOL&nbsp; Made it really easy for me.&nbsp; Look on Amazon for Bell 22-5-05103-8&nbsp; 10' Extension cord for the "thingies"&nbsp; and Wagan 4-way 12v Automotive Socket Extender to plug into. &nbsp;&nbsp; Tim did change the fuses in the "thingies".&nbsp; The controller that Bob helped me order works great.&nbsp; I got that panel for a couple of reasons.&nbsp; I didn't want any holes in HULK'S roof because I can't get up there to make sure it doesn't develop leaks and such and because in the summer I really like to park in the shade.&nbsp; I think this will be perfect for me.&nbsp; Message me if you have any questions.&nbsp; Can't wait to see you at RTR.&nbsp; BIG HUGS&nbsp; Cheri and Tony

 

[cyndi]

Tara, yeah, it's&nbsp;definitely&nbsp;not a <em>&nbsp;</em><em style="line-height: 20px;">'I'm a woman I can't turn a bolt thing'.</em><span style="line-height: 20px;"> I've always been&nbsp;independent&nbsp;to a fault (so I'm told) Not being able to do stuff, myself, makes me crazy.</span>&nbsp;<br><br><br>Thanks, Cheri. I am ordering the flex panel today!<br><br>Can't wait to see you and Tony &nbsp;and get a real hug! A real big one!

 

[peacetara]

Sometimes we can be a little TOOO independent <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Timmymac]

Just a quick note about the wires from the solar panel to the MPPT... When I set up mom's (Grammahugs) solar, I used the 12V power extension cables from Amazon, and spliced into the wires on the solar panel.&nbsp; If I were doing it over, I'd probably look for heftier cables that could connect directly to the factory provided connectors on the solar panel.&nbsp; I don't know where the cables could be acquired, but that would be better than the thin wires I used.&nbsp; <br><br>In most cases, bigger wires are better:&nbsp; larger wires have less resistance than small wires, and short wires have less resistance than long wires. The resistance of the wire, multiplied by the square of the current flowing through the wire gives the amount of power wasted as heat in the wire.&nbsp; So, smaller wires or longer wires (or worse yet, small long wires) will waste more of the electrical power heating the wire rather than powering the things you want (laptops, lights, etc).&nbsp; Because of the smaller wires I used, I installed smaller (15Amp) fuses for protecting the wiring from overload.&nbsp; <br><br>In the future, I'll probably swap out Hulk's wires from the solar to the MPPT with heavier ones, but I need to find good connectors/plugs first.<br><br>On a related topic, that Wagen 4 outlet center is super well made inside... very nice construction and assembly.&nbsp; Mom had one before from a different manufacturer that was not nearly as well made.<br><br><br>I hope you are all having a good time!<br>Tim (the vandweller wannabe)

 

[cyndi]

Thanks, Tim!

 

[cyndi]

<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>DO NOT</strong></span>, I repeat, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>DO NOT</strong></span> buy these panels if you are considering portable panels. <br><br>The owner of Discount Solar told me to roll them as loosely as possible to prevent cracking and stress to the panels. After 3 weeks of use the panels are showing stress from being rolled up. I actually stopped rolling them up a week ago. They are being placed on my roof which will defeat the purpose of having portable panels; the ability to park in the shade and place my panels in the sun.<br><br>They're not the same panels installed a previous RTRs. They are a high voltage panel that requires are larger, more expensive controller.<br><br>[QUOTE<br>The Unisolar flexible panels may be just what you want. They roll up for storage and are nearly indestructible. If you remember,&nbsp; we installed two of them at the first RTR. Amazon has them for a good price;<br><br><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-decoration: underline;">http://www.amazon.com/144-Installti...d=1356199979&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=unisolar</span></span><br><br>[/quote]