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solar panels

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:22 am
by SEP
wondered if anyone had solar panels and how well they worked.want to extend time dry camping.

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:50 am
by campswithcritters
Check with the DoubleDs they have lots of solar power equipment mounted on their rig.

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:39 pm
by Double D's
Hey! I am Donna, wife of Dennis (thus the "Double D's"!!). We really do love our Solar panels. Hubby installed them shortly after we took delivery of our rig, in June of '06. He installed an inverter so I can run the ceiling fan, TVs, curling iron, microwave, etc., as well as hubby's APAP machine for his snoring! Basically everything but the air conditioner. We dry camp for 8 or 9 days in Northern Wisconsin every summer at a Music festival, and they keep us up and running very well. If you would like more technical info, just holler and I will snag him to fill you in on that stuff.. I just know how to turn the inverter on! LOL! We have 3 panels. Super setup! Talk soon. Donna

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:12 am
by Rob & Cathy
Hey Donna, any chance you can post some pictures of the components and installation?

Rob

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:30 am
by Double D's
Rob, funny thing you would ask that, as hubby is currently out with the tractor and snow blade, clearing a path out to the camper and our driveway! LOL! He just mentioned a few minutes ago when he came in to warm up that he needs to shovel off the top of the camper and take pix of the solar panels and then I will take ones of the battery setup that he made and the panel where he mounted it.. I took all the pix of the 'cute stuff' inside, and now we need to take them of the 'guy stuff'!! LOL! Of course, you folks in WARM areas know NOTHING about 5 or 6" of snow, that must be SHOVELED or swept off the roof of your rig, before it can leave your driveways for warmer areas....... do you??? LOL!
Give us a couple of days and I will add pix to my photo account... Donna

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 2:37 pm
by Rob & Cathy
Thanks Donna, since we have the same trailer I'm very interest in what you did to yours.

Rob

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 5:35 pm
by Double D's
We ended up having a bit of a blizzard today, Rob, so no pix for a couple of days, it looks like.. I CAN tell you that he put 2 of the panels just forward of the C/A unit in the living room and the 3rd centered on the roof just forward of those! The panels do come in smaller sizes as well, for those who don't have quite as much room to play with. The company he purchased them from is: Go Power! Electric Inc. We are very pleased with how this addition has made our dry camping easier. He put the switch for the inverter inside the panel where the other switches are. There were a few openings in there not being used. The catalog he found this setup in is Master Techs, Inc in out of Marshall, MI. You might call them for a catalog, if interested. Phone #800-848-0558. Good luck! Pricey, but we think worth it!
BTW: Nice choice in color scheme and floor plan! LOL!

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:10 pm
by Double D's
Rob, I have p.m.'d you, and can send you pix of the setup. Just email me!

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:30 am
by Mike Clay
whisper whisper whisper we want to see :(

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:45 am
by Luizianna
lol...Donna whisper??? lol Donna dear...send me the pics and I will post them for you so everyone can see them...lol

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:47 am
by Double D's
Mikey! I really want to SHOW you, too, but this new IMAC computer, for SOME reason, will not let me post pix to my epson or photobucket account!! If somebody can snag them and post on here, I would be glad to email the pix to you! I don't know why it won't let me post to the accounts, and grandson (who talked me into this thing!) is the computer geek and is not available just yet. LOL!! Well, THAT'S my story and I'm stickin to it! LOL!
If one of the fellers (or gals) on here emails me at dbalfanz89@sbcglobal.net I will send the pix to be posted. Donna

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:14 am
by Double D's
Done deal, miss LInda... Just sent you pix of the solar panel setup and also of the new lighting Den has installed.. He put recessed 12v 'puck' type lights under the cabinet over sink and one of them under cabinet next to stove. He also installed an outlet that is easier to use in the 'corner panel' of the kitchen area. He had installed a 12v. fan under the upper cabinet when we first got the rig.
In our rig, we originally had one of the white plastic 12v. lights above the sink, with a cheap fluorescent light crammed in front of THAT. Not enough light to see all over the counters, and the fluorescent was right in your eyes as you tried to work at the sink. I NEVER used the fluorescent because of that. He had to replace the wood panel, as it was full of holes (not in the right spot!) from the other 2 lights.)
For the light above dining table, we bought a pendant light from Menard's ($18.00!) and he installed it where the previous ceiling hugging light was installed. MUCH better! Instead of 2 60 w bulbs that were in the ceiling hugger, we now have one 25w. flood. Puts the light down where you need it, instead of the glare from above.
Sure wish I could post my own pix! Donna

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:30 am
by Luizianna
Donna's pics...


Storage compartment for the 6 'group 29 deep cycle batteries.
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3000 Watt inverter installed in front storage bay, with a transfer switch to the main elec. panel. Installed a remote switch (in the previous picture)
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New switch for inverter installed in hole in the switch panel. It is right at the left side of "Command Center" logo
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Charge controller just inside door above fuse panel
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Close proximity to bathroom skylight
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How the panel is attached to roof
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This photo shows how the wiring from Solar panel goes down right next to the vent pipe in bathroom, behind the corner panel
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Solar panel in front of antenna
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Looking from very back of trailer at the 2 and 1 configuration.
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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:45 am
by Mike Clay
Thanks Linda and Donna pretty interesting.

Oh now I see where my cardinal thermometer went.

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:12 am
by Double D's
Mikey, I GOT ALL Cardinal stuff! I have bought out everything this side of the Mighty Mississip! LOL! Wait till you see the new wiring that we have just installed! Linda will post pix of that as well for me. I am gonna keep her working all day! LOL! d