A 'hypothetical" question August 13, 2009, 07:34:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 104806Question: if a person already has a couple of factory installed 100 W solar panals and a couple of factory installed batteries....okay, it's me. I already know to go to AM Solar in OR to get a couple more solar panals. I know I ought to probably get a couple more batteries (where to put them in a RB, I don't know) to go with them. Now, I think I read that the factory installed converter is not as good as a better converter/charger. Is that right? If so, what is the best converter/charger to get for 4 solar panals/4 batteries? I don't plan on using the microwave. I already have a couple of good 400 watt inverters that ought to be enough to run the TV, receiver, and occasional DVD player. I am sure it will run a laptop for quite a few hours too. The 12v lights don't use up too much power or the MP3 player plugged into the cab panal that run the speakers. Am I on the right track for basic self sufficiency?Judy Wms. Blue '07 RB "Dog Daze" and White '09 Scion "Puppy Daze" and all the fur kids[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: A 'hypothetical" question Reply #1 – August 13, 2009, 08:13:54 pm Yahoo Message Number: 104807On Aug 13, 2009, at 5:33 PM, Judy Williams wrote:QuoteQuestion: if a person already has a couple of factory installed 100 W solar panals and a couple of factory installed batteries....okay, it's me. I already know to go to AM Solar in OR to get a couple more solar panals. I know I ought to probably get a couple more batteries (where to put them in a RB, I don't know)...snip... Hi Judy, I put mine in the storage cabinet under the forward dinette seat. It is relatively easy. The cables to the existing batteries would be short. In my case I did more but it was not absolutely necessary.Safe travels,Dave N 2000 RB AlbuquerqueQuoteRECENT ACTIVITY 10 New Members 1New Links 1New Files Visit Your Group Give Back Yahoo! for Good Get inspired by a good cause. Y! Toolbar Get it Free! easy 1-click access to your groups. Yahoo! Groups Start a group in 3 easy steps. Connect with others. . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: A 'hypothetical" question Reply #2 – August 13, 2009, 08:34:45 pm Yahoo Message Number: 104808On Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:33:55 -0700, "Judy Williams" wrote:QuoteAm I on the right track for basic self sufficiency? After reading your note describing your needs, I failed to understand that you have a shortfall of amps. Do you?Four and four describes a heavy user or boondocking on the Oregon coast. We have three panels and two batteries and unless it's really cloudy two days in a row, we always have enough amps. I am not trying to talk you out of adding capacity, but based on what you wrote, I don't see a need. Hypothetically how many amp/hours a day do you want to use?Cheers, Don
Re: A 'hypothetical" question Reply #3 – August 13, 2009, 10:46:03 pm Yahoo Message Number: 104809"what is the best converter/charger to get for 4 solar panels/4 batteries?" Let's start by setting the panels aside. Yes, four panels are generally a good match for four batteries, but solar panels have nothing to do with your converter/charger. Its only job is to turn 120VAC--from shore power or from your generator--into 12VDC, to run your lights and charge your batteries. If you're planning to add batteries because you intend to boondock most of the time, then your converter will only be in use while you're running the generator. And if you're planning to add solar panels because you don't want to use the generator most of the time, then you'll have little use for the converter/charger. If that's the case, getting a better one may be a waste of money. On the other hand, if you plan to spend a lot of time plugged in, and/or a lot of time running the generator, then a better converter/charger will charge your four batteries more rapidly. With shore power that's not a big deal... but when using the generator, it means you won't have to run it as long to get a good charge, and that's highly desirable. If that's the case, one of the Progressive Industries converter/chargers--probably at least a 60 amp model--may be a good investment. You can find the details on these (model numbers and prices) by searching the group's archives:http://www.lazydazers.org/Yahoo/msg_display.php>Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: A 'hypothetical" question Reply #4 – August 13, 2009, 10:47:33 pm Yahoo Message Number: 104810Hi Judy, Timely to read your post as I am sitting next to AM Solar now using their wi-fi. We had no solar so did install 4 panels to go with our two T105 batteries LD put in. We will see how we fare on two batteries before adding more. While you did not mention how much TV, music, etc you use your needs solar/batteries wise will be determine by your actual usage. One thought is to get a good battery monitor such as a Xantrex XBM to determine how your batteries are doing. I do not know what model converter was installed in 2007 but I replaced mine (Parallax 7345) with the InteliPower 9200 by Progressive Dynamics which is a plug in replacement for the factory converter.Hope this helps, -mike 2006 23.5' TK "Athena"
Re: A 'hypothetical" question Reply #5 – August 13, 2009, 11:39:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 104811Quote Hi Judy, Timely to read your post as I am sitting next to AM Solar now using their wi-fi. We had no solar so did install 4 panels to go with our two T105 batteries LD put in. We will see how we fare on two batteries before adding more. While you did not mention how much TV, music, etc you use your needs solar/batteries wise will be determine by your actual usage. One thought is to get a good battery monitor such as a Xantrex XBM to determine how your batteries are doing. I do not know what model converter was installed in 2007 but I replaced mine (Parallax 7345) with the InteliPower 9200 by Progressive Dynamics which is a plug in replacement for the factory converter. Which 9200 did you get? How many amps?
Re: A 'hypothetical" question Reply #6 – August 14, 2009, 08:15:49 am Yahoo Message Number: 104819If by "power converter" you mean the solar charge converter, the HPV-22
Re: A 'hypothetical" question Reply #7 – August 14, 2009, 12:51:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 104825Many thanks to Dave, Richard, Mike, Don, & Andy for giving me much "to chew on". And thank you Andy for trying to explain exactly what the job of the converter is. I am so darn "electric dumb" or "electrically challenged" it isn't funny. But you guys have given me what I needed to know in order to make a better decision. Thanks again!!Judy Wms.Blue '07 RB "Dog Daze" andWhite '09 Scion "Puppy Daze"And all the fur kids[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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