Trampus is getting Solar Power!

[PurdyOrnery]

Wow, I really wasn't financially ready to purchase Solar Panels, but this deal is one I can't turn down. I was looking on Craigslist and found THREE Kyocera 260W panels and a charge controller for $400 total. Like I said, I wasn't ready financially, but I can't let that deal go. I was planning on adding only 600 watts max - eventually! Not now. So I'm going to the bank tomorrow morning and taking $400 out (which was earmarked for another project, I might add) but I can't justify waiting. 

When I looked up 250W solar panels, they cost $406 EACH! I better spend the money now and save 2/3 on what I would have paid separately and not even have gotten a charge controller out of the deal. The other project will just have to wait. Yay! I'm gonna have 780W on my roof!  

 

[PurdyOrnery]

In other news, Trampus is getting interior locks installed tonight after dinner. Trampus is located 60 miles away from where I live and work, so I have to do a little bit at a time on my days off. I'm also adding two small "porthole" windows so that I can look outside if there's a ruckus going on, and enjoy a bit of a cross-breeze at times.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Glad you went larger with your solar. Now you can rigid flat mount and not worry about constantly baby sitting your panels for the last little beam of sun. No tilting needed. Not to mention rigid mounted advantages in longevity.

When Mrs G and I see tilted panels, we often chuckle about it.

"Look at me, 120,000 dollar shiny newer Class A with a new car behind it...nice clothes and all the gadgets...yet I spend 45 minutes a day climbing on my roof, fiddling with my two solar panels so I can steal the last little bit of sun power..." PHOOEY!
Pay yourself $5 and hour for all that climbing...not to mention how it screw your roof up long term...and panel fiddling is not worth it.

Even worse, is having portables on the ground you move every time you camp...and have to prevent the crooks from stealing.

Extra solar is a good thing. Glad you found the deal...and looking forward to more pictures.

 

[Wabbit]

...Even worse, is having portables on the ground you move every time you camp...and have to prevent the crooks from stealing...

HEY!! 200w portable is my setup! Lol. My setup works great for me. However, I'm poor so I'm coming from that point of view. There's a lot of good reasons to go with a setup like mine as opposed to a permanent install in some situations.

 

[highdesertranger]

congrats Ornery. same thing happened to me, a deal came up that I couldn't refuse for the solar. I didn't have the money set aside for it so I did like you took the money earmarked for another project. again congrats. highdesertranger

 

[Seminole Wind]

When I looked up 250W solar panels, they cost $406 EACH!

i dont know where you looked to find that price, but you could have done much better. i just bought 435 watt panels for $200 and i recently bought a bunch of 295 watt panels for $134 each. been reselling those for $220 local delivery included.

the used package you got is a decent price but nothing special unless the charge controller is a really good one

you will love having that much solar though, so enjoy it

 

[Crabbyjerry]

i dont know where you looked to find that price, but you could have done much better. i just bought 435 watt panels for $200 and i recently bought a bunch of 295 watt panels for $134 each. been reselling those for $220 local delivery included.

the used package you got is a decent price but nothing special unless the charge controller is a really good one.

you will love having that much solar though, so enjoy it

 

[bigskybob]

You can't have too much solar.