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Old 08-10-2012, 05:06 PM   #301
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

Thanks for the advice, Lorna.

Today I went ahead and bought this RV solar kit. It will give me 50 watts more than I started with, plus it comes with almost everything I'll need to install the thing.
RV, Van, Marine Solar Kit With 140 Watts of DC Power and Low Voltage Disconnect

I already have a charge controller and inverter. But I hope the charge controller that comes with this will be a little better, and I definitely needed all the other "bits & pieces" that are included with this kit.

I'm such a geek... at work (*shhh! don't tell the boss ), I created a cost matrix and scored 10 different RV solar panel packages based on 3 criteria:
  • Overall Cost[/*:m:2h3ec8b2]
  • Cost per Watt[/*:m:2h3ec8b2]
  • Value of Accessories Packages[/*:m:2h3ec8b2]
Each was given a rank by price and the overall ranks added to a final "score". In the end, the kit above was the best value per dollar in everything except initial cost (which ranked 9 of 10 where 10 is the worst). But even with that awful score, the other two cost points were 1 out of 10 and 2 out of 10, so that shot it right to the top of the list.

So, it is done. I ordered it this morning right before lunch, and if all goes well, the package should arrive by the 20th. By then it should be one of the last items to be installed.

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Old 08-10-2012, 06:37 PM   #302
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

Not sure "exactly" what your purpose of solar is...I assume to keep battery up.
In perfect conditions your looking at almost 8amps of 12V.
So assuming(since panel will be flat on roof) you can get 5hrs of 5amps going int batteries(these are all assumption numbers)you can look at replacing say 25AH of battery use could be more or less remember.
The controller is a good reliable unit(make sure to read manual about hooking it 12v source first,before hooking panel to system)
Not sure why the miny box w/breakers is supplied...mmm...weird.
That single panel won't supply enuf "juice" to use both or 1 off the breakers

This panel hooked to your battery will be like plugging a 25amp battery charger to it,it does have a better or shall I say a smarter battery charger mode.
Just things to ponder...I can't wait to read the daily trip reports
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Old 08-10-2012, 06:39 PM   #303
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

Oh by the way...since it has such a long cord,you could park in the shade and actually have in the sun pointing directly at the sun when parked...that will really hep getting the most out of it
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Old 08-10-2012, 06:44 PM   #304
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

Also make sure use the mounts so it is up off the deck,that way air can circulate under it to help cool it off.....so another week and you'll be on the road?if your somehow near us(our lost ) bristol tn/va area give me a shout...good luck and god speed.....may your adventure be epic!
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Old 08-10-2012, 11:17 PM   #305
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

I have very few solar power needs. I have 2 strips of LED lights I would like to run. Maybe a fan if it's OMG hot at night, and my laptop (maybe... but only if I can't get the 12V cig lighter plug installed before leaving).

3 weeks and counting! I'll be leaving Labor Day weekend. And, yes, I will probably make a stop over in Bristol, VA to visit a dear friend. Maybe I can stop by to say HI too? drop me a PM.
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Old 08-11-2012, 09:56 AM   #306
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

The cig lighter thingy is a 1 wire job. Mount the unit on a metal base ie dash ...... run your hot wire direct to the battery, either the house battery or engine battery, preferably the house battery....
be sure to put a inline fuse between the battery and the cig lighter unit....... plug in your converter and you're in business.....
10 minute job...... or 3 days .... whichever comes first....
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Old 08-11-2012, 10:26 AM   #307
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

Quote:
Originally Posted by GreyEagle
10 minute job...... or 3 days .... whichever comes first....


Sounds like how my "simple" projects turn out
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Old 08-11-2012, 08:51 PM   #308
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

Quote:
Originally Posted by browncrown
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreyEagle
10 minute job...... or 3 days .... whichever comes first....


Sounds like how my "simple" projects turn out
EXACTLY!!!

There are only 21 days, 3 weeks, and 2 weekends left to get stuff done.
Holy crap! I better stop typing and start working!

END OF DAY EDIT... What the heck did I do today???
  • Took the dog to the vet to get the last of her shots[/*:m:1y2sw4qo]
  • Stopped by one RV shop and picked up the parts necessary to make the dump valve for the black tank[/*:m:1y2sw4qo]
  • Stopped by Lowes and bought the 2" black pipe needed for the plumbing[/*:m:1y2sw4qo]
  • Took a nap with the dog and kittens [/*:m:1y2sw4qo]
  • Went to another RV shop and picked up a 30 amp land line, ordered the 30 amp connection point that will go to the bus, and bought a water inlet for potable water.[/*:m:1y2sw4qo]
  • Got caught in a massive downpour on the way home that totally soaked the inside of the bus because 2 windows were CRACKED open (seriously, it was just like a half inch, but still the rain was that bad and blew in while I was driving).[/*:m:1y2sw4qo]
  • Installed the dump valve once the rain stopped.[/*:m:1y2sw4qo]
  • Installed my 2nd LED light strip over the couch area. Now the bus is really lit up at night. I LOVE my LED lights![/*:m:1y2sw4qo]
  • Built the framework for a short wall behind the driver's seat, which helps support a shelf over the driver's side wheel well. This will be where the batteries and electrical stuff lives.[/*:m:1y2sw4qo]
Looking at the list, it seems like a lot of stuff, but it still feels like nothing is getting done. I know it is intellectually. But emotionally, I'm too ready to have everything done, and be on the road already!
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Old 08-12-2012, 07:58 AM   #309
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

QUOTE -Built the framework for a short wall behind the driver's seat, which helps support a shelf over the driver's side wheel well. This will be where the batteries and electrical stuff lives.-QUOTE

Make sure you vent the batteries outside the bus !!!........ nothing good came become of having them vented inside. Batteries give off poisonous gases.....
Just in case FYI
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Old 08-12-2012, 08:16 AM   #310
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

Quote:
Originally Posted by TygerCub
...This will be where the batteries and electrical stuff lives...
Gasses from batteries eat up electrical & electronic innards. Batteries really should be sealed from all other equipment and vented outside. Batteries just don't play well with others.

Our batteries will live in one of the two original battery bays. Electrical/cable hookups will live in the old battery bay next to the batteries. Panel box/charger will be inside the bus.
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Old 08-13-2012, 10:20 AM   #311
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

There are other sites that show proper battery box construction and how to hook up wiring for multiple batteries. (Copper Bars work best)
Battery compartment should also have drain if in a bus compartment. Some busses with huge battery banks run a fan as well.. fwiw
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Old 08-13-2012, 11:34 AM   #312
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

A lighter/power outlet is easy. You can buy one at WallyWorld for less than 6 bucks. Look at the pictures of my bus to see how to wire it into the existing panel. Your bus is the same make as mine so I'm sure they are similar. It will take a little longer than 10 minutes but not much.
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Old 08-23-2012, 06:50 AM   #313
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

Hope all is good, no post on here or Blog since the 11th
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Old 08-24-2012, 04:47 AM   #314
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

  • Plumbing... check[/*:m:3oyhx2yf]
  • Hot water... check[/*:m:3oyhx2yf]
  • Shore power... check[/*:m:3oyhx2yf]
  • Rechargable house battery... check[/*:m:3oyhx2yf]
  • Crane on deck... check[/*:m:3oyhx2yf]
  • Scooter on deck... well... working on that[/*:m:3oyhx2yf]
Of all the things left to do, making sure the scooter is secure is the most important. Everything else is cosmetic.

I still need to:
  • 1) finish shelves over the water tank
    2) finalize the power station set-up (secure the inverter & tidy up the wires)
    3) build the corner shelves by the couch
    4) complete the tub surround so I don't splash water everywhere.
Seems an endless list. But thanks to help from some great friends, it's getting done.

Sorry I've been offline. It's been a steady diet of work, take the bus to my mom's BF's house, work til 10-11 pm, go home and collapse, then get up at 5 am to start all over again.
I'm a little worn. All of us are frazzled, frustrated, and just generally pissed at each other. But I'm extremely grateful for the hard work Dave and his brother Rich are putting into the bus so it will be done enough in time for the trip.

One week.... and counting.
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Old 08-24-2012, 07:17 AM   #315
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

Good to hear progress
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Old 08-24-2012, 07:43 AM   #316
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

Just keep moving forward ..... You'll get it done then you can look back and said.............Yup, We did that!!!!
List is getting smaller everyday...
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Old 08-26-2012, 12:35 AM   #317
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal



I don't know if you've changed your fuel filter yet, but that's not it. The big one is the engine oil filter and the small one is the auxiliary trans filter. Your fuel filter should be between the frame rails on the left side if it's like mine. The part number for fleetguard is FF5151.
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Old 08-26-2012, 11:20 AM   #318
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

some busses like mine, have the aftermarket fuel filter that you just drain and take the top off to clean it out..
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Old 08-27-2012, 06:12 PM   #319
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

The scooter is on the bus and ready for adventure!


Don't worry, this is merely the 'GET IT UP THERE' position. Traveling requires the handlebar slings to be removed and strapped to the motorcycle transport brace (there's a name for it, but I can't for the world of me remember what it is).

Now back out to finish last minute stuff.

4 days and counting!
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Old 08-27-2012, 06:18 PM   #320
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Re: 2012... The Year of Renewal

4 days and counting????????

Where is this road trip taking you???

Don't forget to check in every now and then to let us know waz up...

PS might want to look at you rear lites... The brake lite on the left rear is covered by the bike and the left turn signal is partly covered too...... Just FYI


Good luck and Godspeed on your trip......
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