Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Solar Panels

May 17, 2014, 10:17:35 am

Yahoo Message Number: 146337

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I noticed in Quartzsite that almost all had solar panels that tilted.  Yet Todd at the factory says LD attaches them not to be tilted.  What modifications to the mounts of the existing panels are made?  Or are the factory installed removed and remounted?  Or what other options are up there on the 27's?  Anyone mounted 3 panels?

Thanks,

Steve Holmstrom 1997 Teal 30IB, in line for 2015 Silver 27MB

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #2 – May 17, 2014, 06:06:46 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 146350

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"With the price of panels now it makes no sense to bother with tilting."

I think for most people, that's probably true. However...

1. The real estate on an RV's roof limits the number of panels you can install. (For example, I had to discard the broadcast TV and satellite TV antennas in order to fit five 100W panels on my midbath back in 2006.) Tilting can get you more power with the same number of panels. If you need lots of power and don't have lots of roof space, that can make it worthwhile.

2. If you dry-camp in wintertime, when the sun is low in the sky, tilting your panels will substantially increase their output.

Now, most RV owners aren't full-timers. Most aren't power hogs like me. ;-) And most don't dry-camp in the winter. (Even I don't do it much these days.) So for most people, tilting panels is more trouble than it's worth. And every time you climb up on the roof, you run a risk of falling.

But just the same, I like having the option to tilt, and I wish that Lazy Daze used the standard AM Solar tiltable mounts, instead of mounting the panels flat to the roof with custom hardware.

Andy Baird

Travels with Andy

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #4 – May 18, 2014, 11:32:32 am

Yahoo Message Number: 146366

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When we bought our Lazy Daze, the solar panel was an option.  Is it now standard?  If it's still an option, just don't order it.

Linda Hylton

From: Steve@... [lifewithalazydazerv]
Sent: ‎Sunday‎, ‎May‎ ‎18‎, ‎2014 ‎6‎:‎52‎ ‎AM
To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com

Has anyone asked the factory to omit the solar panel and controller & if so what was their response?

Solar Panels

Reply #6 – February 12, 2015, 01:13:24 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151012

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What is the max output from one of the newer solar panels?

Dick

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #8 – February 12, 2015, 02:31:35 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151014

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"What is the max output from one of the newer solar panels?"

Dick

LD currently installs one or two 100-watt panels, not that you will ever see 100 or 200-watts but it should be close in  mid-June, when the sun is directly overhead..
Panel technology is getting better, the next generation will probably have multilayered collectors, to utilize more of the available spectrum. Researchers are getting close to 50% efficiency.

Larry

Re: Solar Panels

Reply #10 – February 12, 2015, 03:58:43 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151020

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"I was curious as to the difference in output between a house panel and one for an RV.  We have 16 panels with a maximum output of 4 KW.  So 250 watts per panel.  They are very efficient.  We live in north/central Arizona, and this week the system has been peaking at just under 3 KW during mid-day.

Dick

That's  a nice size array. If you measure the 250-watt panels, they will be 2.5 times bigger than your LD's 100-watt panels, the efficiency of the panels should be about the same. Home panels are usually tilted which provides greater output in the winter.
A 4KW system should be enough to power your home A/C, a real money saver.

Some of the newer RV solar controllers have the ability to be remotely monitored and recorded.

Larry

From: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com [mailto:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com] Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2015 1:32 PM To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Subject: [LD] Re: Solar Panels

"What is the max output from one of the newer solar panels?"

Dick
 LD currently installs one or two 100-watt panels, not that you will ever see 100 or 200-watts but it should be close in  mid-June, when the sun is directly overhead..
Panel technology is getting better, the next generation will probably have multilayered collectors, to utilize more of the available spectrum. Researchers are getting close to 50% efficiency.

Larry