Re: [A/S] Re: gadget geek in an Airstream

["Jim Dunmyer" <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Rik,
 The phantom loads don't "bother" me all that much. I've thought about an
LED to replace the bulb at the pump switch, but the solar panels more than
make up the usage, so it's no big deal. Interestingly, most of the phantom
load is due to MEASURING the load: the eMeter draws a bit of power all the
time, more when the display is active. You can set the display to Blank,
wake up when a button is pushed, ON all the time, or Wake up when there's
more than 1.5 amps of current flow. I have mine set to the latter, so I can
watch it during the evening hours.

My solar system (with eMeter) has been in operation for 3 years now and
works great. The key to any AE system, trailer or fixed, is conservation.
They say that spending $1.00 in conservation measures will save $3.00 in
additional power supplied. IE: flourescent (or LED) lights are a heckuva lot
cheaper than solar panels. Yeah, you can install an inverter to run an
electric coffeepot, but when you add the batteries and panels required,
you'll find that you're paying a heavy price to free yourself from the gas
stove. <<grin>>

                                                            <<Jim>>