Who needs solar?

[SoulRaven]

Greetings!

Just for the record, I am not anti-solar, I am pro-choices.

I am happy for anyone that can get anything to work in their favor. Each of us has varying needs, varying equipment, and varying solutions. Sharing this information can make the lives of others better.

No matter what the topic, the more choices one has the better off they are.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

---

I read just today that there is a movement trying to *stop* the use and advancement of solar.

Free energy is a devastating situation for some corporations' bottom line.

Forums that get alot of traffic become a target for those that try to push a certain agenda... usually covertly.

Best thing to do is take all opinions with a grain of salt, and do the work to study the science of it yourself to get the facts.

Greetings!

Got any links for that? It really doesn't surprise me a whole lot though that the greedy utilities wouldn't want to lose any of their forced followers.

Anyway, I would like to read up on that, I must have missed it.

Cheers!


The CamperVan_Man

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

well I don't know about the posters that can't get solar to work for them. for me I have had solar for 4 years, and I don't have a generator. serves me well.

Google "Handy Bob Solar" for a very interesting read. He has an electrical engineering background, and has been full time boondocking in a fifth wheeler for years with just solar, no generator.

He claims most solar installs, even ones by so-called professionals, are done wrong- wires that are too small, charge controllers not adjusted high enough, wire runs needlessly too long, etc.

Regards
John

 

[Bela's Mom]

I agree, OP. Handy Bob's Solar articles are some of the best ones that I read when I was studying solar. I think one needs to understand solar and DC in order to build and operate their system. Otherwise, if something is not working, they cannot trouble shoot it. I'm by no means an expert, but I do understand the basics now and can trouble shoot my little system if it is not working properly.

 

[Lucky mike]

the problem lies with the installer......even worse with the do it yourselfers that skimp on there supplies and short cut the instructions

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Ok...this is strictly my own opinion, as I do use and am very happy with solar.

In the Southwest, solar works great, especially properly installed (not that hard), and batteries are taken care of, and are at least deep cycle type. We are usually where the "weather suits our clothes", so its most often sunny.
Over the last year of travel we have used our generator exactly ZERO times, so solar does work for us.

On the other hand, If you spend time in the rainy, cloudy, gray PNW (for instance) its a totally different story. Not only is the sun less intense up there, the number of full sunny days are often few. Shorter winter days combined with nasty weather make solar ineffective on a van/RV. You will need a generator up there.

Not everyone will be happy with solar and there are misconceptions about what can be run with it and how.
I've often been asked, "Can I hook a solar panel directly to a fridge at home?". No...its not quite that simple and it would not be cost effective to just run a household fridge.
"Can I use solar at my home like on your RV?". Yes, but to run a home you will need quite a bit more equipment than I need for my much smaller demands.
"Why do I need batteries?". You must store the power you collect and solar panels don't produce at night when you need lights, etc.

My answers are always simple, as I'm not good at the math...but I have used solar for years in several applications. I know my needs and what it takes to satisfy them.

I will agree that having a generator is a great idea. I recommend having one in fact. Many people have them at home for storm back-up to run their fridge and basic lighting, some have big gennies that can do the whole house.
If you don't have to use the genny, fine, but you have it when you need it.
All the solar homes I've seen do have a generator for back-up for weather or equipment failure.

So, solar DOES WORK, but not for everyone and not positively 100% of the time for anyone. Even with 365 days of good sun equipment can fail.
Educate yourself, know your needs and how location will effect production. You may find a genny is your best option. 325 cloudy days a year and solar probably isn't worth it for you.
Make your choices on actual facts as they apply to your own situation.

 

[GotSmart]

Being well educated, as well as trained in all household systems, (Power, refrigeration, and electrical) I have read enough to be confident that with a proper installation I can depend on a solar system for all my needs. I have built my reputation on not cutting corners in my work, and that will also extend to my own personal solar power system.

As long as I do not throw together old parts from a junk heap and expect them to work like magic, I will have a system that will work for years with only normal maintenance and basic repairs. I will have spare wire and fuses just in case, but do not anticipate needing them.

I do not have room for a generator or the desire to drag one all around the country.

 

[Lucky mike]

you forgot to add......as long as I dont skimp and buy the cheap low dollar knock off crap too!!

better than half of the people that have problems with solar bought cheap.....installed cheap....and thought it would work just like they are plugged in !!

if you shop trying to save money....dont cut corners on quality.....panels and parts are not all the same.....a 100 watt panel takes up the same space as a 250 watt panel...cost a bit more per panel for better collection!!

 

[Willy]

Well, I happen to live up in the rainy/cloudy/grey PNW and.. solar works well up here. Don't have a generator, nor need one, and all my power needs (lighting, refrigeration, computer, music, and whatnot) are taken care of by 180 Watts of solar. I DO have a battery isolator setup hooked up to my fridge battery, just in case, but don't really need it.
Also hooked up to the fridge battery is my aux. 1000W modified sine inverter. This is only used to run high draw power tools 'n such and allows me to run the engine, if needed, to supply power. ..Willy.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Willy...great that you found what works for you. Knowing you to be a clever guy, I'm imaging you optimized your system by proper installation.
In my mind the separate fridge battery sounds like a good idea, leaving the house battery(s) to carry your other loads easily.
I'm just guessing of course.

 

[Simran]

Proper installation is key. Short wire runs with large cable or wire. Good quality, recommended controller, cells & battery bank.

As an aside: When I bought electrical storage I did NOT go with what was recommended because I wanted batteries from an outlet I could deal with in person if I needed to. I bought DieHard AGM batteries; three 90AH batteries. I am happy to report after constant usage for 18 months I can report that I haven't so much as even physically looked at them; they just work . . . and they work . . . and they work. So far so good; they show no signs of degradation yet.

 

[Willy]

Yup, I've got a dual battery charge controller which charges my 'house' batteries and the separate 'fridge' battery. I tend to freeze a lotta food and, since refrigeration is so important to me, it's added peace of mind knowing that I've got a few days of power in case something goes wrong with the solar. This also lets me draw down the house battery doing stupid stuff and not have to worry.
I've gone back to using my Waeco CF-50 cooler vs. the CR-50 fridge I had. This allows me to keep the cooler in the cab of the truck where, in the winter,it's nice 'n cold (no power draw cuz I let nature do the work for me) and, in the summer, I have a surfeit of power and it doesn't matter if the cooler has to run longer.
..Willy.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Willy...I know you're making something work for you that other people would easily misuse until they either learned to control their usage or gave up.

 

[Lucky mike]

Please!!!....................I need more power.....more panels , more batteries, bigger truck.....


It's Alive!!!!!!.......Ive created a monster!!!!!

.......and now a word from our sponsor......

 

[wagoneer]

WTF. I will take my giant panel small controller and my 2 AGM 6 volt batteries over any generator..

 

[Willy]

Willy...I know you're making something work for you that other people would easily misuse until they either learned to control their usage or gave up.

With great power comes great responsibility. ..Willy.

 

[highdesertranger]

good one willy. higdesertranger

 

[WheelEstate USA]

With great power comes great responsibility. ..Willy.

Some might take that as a light hearted comment, but you can count on it being true.
Think about the power you have to control the way you live with you have or can devise that works for you.

You do have the power.

 

[Ballenxj]

I think I posted this before, but here it is again. http://store.evtv.me/proddetail.php?prod=180wsolarpanel

These look pretty good. I looked and don't know if I missed it, but are these polycrystalline or mono crystalline?

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Zil Wrote:
I think I posted this before, but here it is again. http://store.evtv.me/proddetail.php?prod=180wsolarpanel

(Sorry, I don't know how to link to comments)

Has anyone here used these. I find them attractive, but I have a pimpled (hail damaged), corrigated roof with screws protruding; so my guess is these would not work for my camper. -Spiff

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Zil Wrote:
I think I posted this before, but here it is again. http://store.evtv.me/proddetail.php?prod=180wsolarpanel

(Sorry, I don't know how to link to comments)

Has anyone here used these. I find them attractive, but I have a pimpled (hail damaged), corrigated roof with screws protruding; so my guess is these would not work for my camper. -Spiff

You would be better off with a rack or angled leg mounts, I would think. Sicky backs need a good surface to adhere to.

Renology has an expandable starter kit for your consideration...
http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Panel-S...=1398472670&sr=8-1&keywords=solar+panels+kits
Then soon as you can add...
http://www.amazon.com/RENOGY-Monocr...=1398472670&sr=8-6&keywords=solar+panels+kits

Or, step it up a notch....
http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Solar-...=1398472670&sr=8-4&keywords=solar+panels+kits

I've used and installed Renology products and recommend them.
Like any opinion, take it with a grain of salt and do your own research.