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General => Mr. Fix it => Topic started by: camperpat on Aug 02, 2009, 09:44 PM

Title: Solar panels
Post by: camperpat on Aug 02, 2009, 09:44 PM
I purchased a 45 watt solar panel from Harbor Freight for charging my battery when out fishing. I'm going to Bishop Ca next week, so I'll report back with info...I included some photos of the unit attached to the top of the tent trailer. My wife wouldn't let me drill holes in the roof, so I went to the corners.
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Post by: dthurk on Aug 03, 2009, 05:54 AM
It seems to me like it may be on the small side. Depends on how much you use the battery and for how many consecutive days you might be dry camping.  It'll at least extend your stay.  Let us know how it worked out.  Ingenious mounting!
Title: Back ffrom vacation
Post by: camperpat on Aug 23, 2009, 01:15 PM
Well, I took the solar panels to the eastern sierras, bishop Ca. It worked fine for charging the deep cycle battery for the boat trolling motor. It kept a steady charge through out the day. I didn't have it hooked to the main batteries on the trailer due to my connection wire was not long enough, my mistake..... I think it would have worked fine. It kept a charge at about 15 volts, but was regulated by the controller included. It got windy, but did good on the roof anchored to all four corners. The only noise was the long straps flapping in the wind. No worries about theft as it was on the roof...
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Post by: haroldPE on Sep 05, 2009, 09:11 PM
that's very nice.  thanks for posting it.  our trouble is, we typically are camping in the woods - out in the open is rare.