[VACList] #1 RV Solar Electric

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Dick,

Here it is - plus a few other things from an earlier reply to Jill.

Terry

------------------

> Everything you ever wanted to know and see is available from:

> http://www.rvsolarelectric.com
> 
> If you'd like a free solar planner and annual catalog from Noel Kirkby at RV
> Solar Electric in Tucson, now is the time to call him (800.999.8520).  He can
> provide you with prices on his various solar packages.
> 
> You might also have your credit card handy and order his book: "RVer's Guide
> to Solar Battery Charging" (less than $20). It's packed with common sense
> information, plus there are pictures showing the special "feet" he created for
> supporting solar panels on Airstreams.
> 
> His written instructions are very clear. If I had questions during the
> installation, I'd call him on my cell phone while laying on top of my
> Airstream with solar panels beside me and tools in hand.
> 
> If you're in Tucson and want the job done for you, keep in mind that if you
> make an appointment first thing Monday morning when he opens and if you arrive
> Sunday afternoon, there's a lot behind the adjacent building where boondocking
> is doable.
> 
>> what all can you run off of your system?
>> 
> Jill, mostly I run my electronic equipment, lights (fluorescent), a fan now
> and then, plus the charging units for my appliances with their own batteries.
> 
>> i would like to run a computer (printer, & occasionally a scanner), i usually
>> boil my coffee water but sometimes use a plug in percolator, not a huge
>> hair-dryer/curling iron user (but occasionally), occasional tv & vcr use,
>> occasional microwave (but i wouldn't die without it), stereo, blender. gosh
>> it's hard to remember all the electric appliances!
>> 
> From your above list, I wouldn't use solar power to operate any piece of
> equipment whose sole purpose was to generate heat (percolator, hair-dryer,
> microwave).  Appliances that do their job by heat are power hungry and will
> gobble your 12 volt supply like there was no tomorrow.
> 
> Another gobbler of power is the 12 volt blower on your propane furnace. That's
> another reason to have a Catalytic Heater which doesn't use any 12 volt or 120
> volt power.
> 
> While you are at it, exchange the 20 # propane bottles for 30#ers (perhaps at
> Oasis RV in Tucson). These are all opinions and suggestions, even though some
> may sound a bit bossy.
> 
> A two panel solar system should operate your computer, scanner, run your
> television, stereo, vcr, satellite receiver (but not all of them at the same
> time on the same day). Likewise, it will the recharge cell phone battery, the
> Palm Pilot battery, the Makita drill battery and the electric shaver battery,
> but not all of them on the same day.
> 
> A two panel system will operate a blender if used briefly on a sunny day.
> 
> Each of these appliances (in the last three sentences) will require that you
> have an "INverter" (as opposed to a CONverter) if you want to operate them off
> your batteries (notice I said batteries not battery).  The inverter changes 12
> volt to 120 volt, while the converter changes 120 volts to 12 volts.
> 
>> most of oregon does not get a ton of sun but i like to look at the big
>> picture which includes those months of the year that DO bring sun, and i will
>> be likely going out of state for graduate school.. maybe california.. (but
>> maybe somewhere just as sunless as oregon). i do not expect to be able to run
>> all of my *luxury needs* off of solar full time and i'm not opposed to
>> downsizing my habits, either.
>> 
> On the Airstreams we don't use during the winter, the solar panels keep our
> batteries fully charged even when they're under 3' of snow. I have been inside
> them during cloudy/snowy days and have seen the red light on my "battery guard
> module" showing that charging is occurring (not much, but a definable input).
> 
> On the Airstream we use during the winter (in the south), the red light shows
> charging is occurring when parked under a light bulb in a garage (when
> Airstream repairs are being made).
> 
> Why do I mention that? For us, if there is daylight during 365 days a year,
> then our panels are charging our batteries every day all year long.
> 
> If a day occurs when there is absolutely no daylight and it's nightime during
> the day, then we're in a bind (and so is everyone else on the planet).
> 
> Thus and therefore - the more panels and batteries, the more power is
> available for use. On sunny days, we have margaritas from the blender and
> clean the carpet with our high powered vacuum. On shady days, we use the
> fluorescent lights and skip the margaritas. It's as simple as that.  If you
> are into having gauges detail your use of solar power, they'll tell you the
> same thing (only more accurately).
> 
> I'll send three more emails to you on the topic of solar power. They are
> handouts I've distributed in previous years when making presentation to groups
> who are just becoming interested in solar panels.
> 
> I'll bet you didn't know you'd be getting more homework when you asked those
> questions. That's the way it goes. The more you live, the more you learn.
> 
> Terry
> 
> mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net