Solar-latest stuff

[Bluedog225]

First, please forgive another solar panel post.  I know there is tons of info out there and google is my friend.  I've spent several hours getting ready to ask some (hopefully) intelligent questions.

I am at the rebuild stage of rehabilitating my 1974 Coleman Brandywine.  Everything is stripped out, the lift pullys are replaced/greased, and the top is sealed and painted.

I want to install solar with some specific specifications set out below.  I am hoping for advice and specific brands/models to purchase from people who have used the equipment.

There are several areas I'd appreciate help with:

-Panel type and brand
-Battery type and brand
-Controller/charger type and brand
-Any 12 volt, LED light system recommendations (starting from scratch)
-Any way to run/charge a laptop without an inverter?  Do they make a 12 volt to 19 volt transformer?
-Companies to work with or buy from.
-Any general setup advice or links to unique solutions.

Use
Primarily for light (LEDs only), a laptop, and a fantastic fan.  Mostly at night.  

Size
Roughly 100-125 watts.
Expandable to 250.

Long life panel(s)
I want maximum life out of the panels.  I'm thinking of marine panels used by Sportsmobile.  Not sure what brand their marine units are.

Long life batteries
I want maximum capacity and life from the batteries and the best controller for taking care of them.

Forget about it
I also want to be able to forget about the system without worrying about it overcharging the batteries or over discharging them so I can hike off for a week and come back to a full charge.  I want a controller to shut the system down when voltage drops too low or gets too high (actually-go to trickle when too high) or anything gets too hot.

Power in/Power out/status
I understand it is not necessary but I want to be able to measure power in, power out, and % charged.  Simple things amuse me.

No inverter
I don't plan to use any 120V appliances on this system.  Shore power will be completely separate.  The only interaction with shore power will be when shore power is charging the batteries.

Relay
I'd like a relay that would switch to heating water or running a vent fan when the batteries are full and then switch back to charging when they need it.  This is optional.

Portability
I would like to use the system on my boat and my popup.

Connectivity
I'd like to be able to plug the panel into my home solar system (not yet installed) when I am not using it.

Any comments or specific appreciated.

Regards

Tom

[wavery]

First, please forgive another solar panel post.  I know there is tons of info out there and google is my friend.  I've spent several hours getting ready to ask some (hopefully) intelligent questions.

I am at the rebuild stage of rehabilitating my 1974 Coleman Brandywine.  Everything is stripped out, the lift pullys are replaced/greased, and the top is sealed and painted.

I want to install solar with some specific specifications set out below.  I am hoping for advice and specific brands/models to purchase from people who have used the equipment.

There are several areas I'd appreciate help with:

-Panel type and brand
-Battery type and brand
-Controller/charger type and brand
-Any 12 volt, LED light system recommendations (starting from scratch)
-Any way to run/charge a laptop without an inverter?  Do they make a 12 volt to 19 volt transformer?
-Companies to work with or buy from.
-Any general setup advice or links to unique solutions.

Use
Primarily for light (LEDs only), a laptop, and a fantastic fan.  Mostly at night.  

Size
Roughly 100-125 watts.
Expandable to 250.

Long life panel(s)
I want maximum life out of the panels.  I'm thinking of marine panels used by Sportsmobile.  Not sure what brand their marine units are.

Long life batteries
I want maximum capacity and life from the batteries and the best controller for taking care of them.

Forget about it
I also want to be able to forget about the system without worrying about it overcharging the batteries or over discharging them so I can hike off for a week and come back to a full charge.  I want a controller to shut the system down when voltage drops too low or gets too high (actually-go to trickle when too high) or anything gets too hot.

Power in/Power out/status
I understand it is not necessary but I want to be able to measure power in, power out, and % charged.  Simple things amuse me.

No inverter
I don't plan to use any 120V appliances on this system.  Shore power will be completely separate.  The only interaction with shore power will be when shore power is charging the batteries.

Relay
I'd like a relay that would switch to heating water or running a vent fan when the batteries are full and then switch back to charging when they need it.  This is optional.

Portability
I would like to use the system on my boat and my popup.

Connectivity
I'd like to be able to plug the panel into my home solar system (not yet installed) when I am not using it.

Any comments or specific appreciated.

Regards

Tom

Before anyone spends hours answering these questions, it would be best if you told us what your budget is and we can tell you if you are being realistic or what your limits may be.

[Bluedog225]

Before anyone spends hours answering these questions, it would be best if you told us what your budget is and we can tell you if you are being realistic or what your limits may be.

Fair questions.  I trust no one will spend hours....I am just looking for some input on building a quality, reliable system.  I hate buying something only to later find out it was a known lemon (e.g.: Ford Triton engine).

Just picking some of the components I have considered:

Panel-e.g.: Kyocera KC130TM, 130w 12v-about $560

Controller-e.g.: Solar Boost 2000E-about $220

Batteries-$150-300 (not sure which way to go on this yet)

LED lighting system-Less that $100

Fan-$100

Brackets, battery holders, straps, wires, etc-$250

So ballpark is $1500 depending on bells and whistles.  It's getting late so I many have missed something.

Just FYI-I am going to have the a 3150 watt, 12 volt, grid-tie solar system installed on my house for about $6,000 (after tax credit).  We have a very aggressive solar rebate program in Austin and I happen to have an unobstructed roof plane facing almost due south.

Again, many thanks.

Tom

[mrsoreo57]

HOLY COW MAN....all that just to go camping ??  :yikes:

[dthurk]

http://www.amsolar.com/
 
 This is the company where I bought my controller and wiring kit. Click on "Products" to see their stuff.  I bought 2 six volt golf cart batteries from Sam's Club.  Solar is pricey, but dry camping advantages over a generator are worth it, in my estimation.  I'd rather spend $1500 on solar than $1000 on a generator.

[Bluedog225]

http://www.amsolar.com/
 
 This is the company where I bought my controller and wiring kit. Click on "Products" to see their stuff.  I bought 2 six volt golf cart batteries from Sam's Club.  Solar is pricey, but dry camping advantages over a generator are worth it, in my estimation.  I'd rather spend $1500 on solar than $1000 on a generator.

Excellent site.  Just the type of thing I was looking for.  Thanks.

As to the cost, I agree with the generator comparison.  Also, I enjoy tinkering and plan to have these panels in use 95% of the time either hooked up to the house, the traditional tent camper (Coleman), the boat tent camper (Sea Pearl 21), or the van tent camper (Sportsmobile with pop top).  I'm told a 20 year life on the panel is not unrealistic so I should see a complete payback over the life of the system.

Tom

[dthurk]

Take a look at their AM100-22 system.  Should give you everything you need for less that $1,000.  You'd have the capability of adding 3 more panels along the way, but may find that one is all you need.  Don't sink additional money into more panels until you find that you actually need them.  20 year life should be easy.  Could go 30.

[wavery]

Excellent site.  Just the type of thing I was looking for.  Thanks.

As to the cost, I agree with the generator comparison.  Also, I enjoy tinkering and plan to have these panels in use 95% of the time either hooked up to the house, the traditional tent camper (Coleman), the boat tent camper (Sea Pearl 21), or the van tent camper (Sportsmobile with pop top).  I'm told a 20 year life on the panel is not unrealistic so I should see a complete payback over the life of the system.

Tom

Don't expect a 20-year life out of them if you move them around a lot.

As long as you are going 1st class.......you might want to spend a couple extra bucks and buy marine grade, tinned wire. I would solder all connectors and use heat-shrink tubing to protect against moisture.

If you're buying a system for your home, why not buy an extra panel from that supplier???

We are waiting for better tax incentives and there is a lot of new solar technology in the pipe-line. We want a system for our house too. I would like a 15KW system but I don't want to pay over $10K. I won't live long enough to get a return on my investment, otherwise........uness electricity goes up a lot  :p .

[Bluedog225]

Buying an extra is not a bad idea.  Might get a discount.  I'dl love a bigger system but the size I am getting maxes out the rebate. I'll try it for a while and upgrade if I like it.  

Tinned wire would be good.  Apply dielectric grease after solder but prior to heat shrinking?

Don't expect a 20-year life out of them if you move them around a lot.

As long as you are going 1st class.......you might want to spend a couple extra bucks and buy marine grade, tinned wire. I would solder all connectors and use heat-shrink tubing to protect against moisture.

If you're buying a system for your home, why not buy an extra panel from that supplier???

We are waiting for better tax incentives and there is a lot of new solar technology in the pipe-line. We want a system for our house too. I would like a 15KW system but I don't want to pay over $10K. I won't live long enough to get a return on my investment, otherwise........uness electricity goes up a lot  :p .

[JimS]

Apply dielectric grease, crimp, solder and  then heat shink.  Then use the grease again with all connections.

[austinado16]

But if you're lighting is all LED, why do you need $1k in solar equipment.  Why not just use one good marine deep cycle battery, or 2 golf cart batteries, and buy an extra battery for your laptop?

[Bluedog225]

But if you're lighting is all LED, why do you need $1k in solar equipment.  Why not just use one good marine deep cycle battery, or 2 golf cart batteries, and buy an extra battery for your laptop?

Lighting is almost secondary.  The biggest energy need is to run a fan. I live in Texas and it's no fun sweating all night....

[austinado16]

The biggest energy need is to run a fan. I live in Texas and it's no fun sweating all night....

Then it sounds like you need to plugged in and running rooftop a/c?

Otherwise, the 10" O2Cool fans (think I paid $14 at Walmart) that run on 4 D-cell batteries will run for days on just one set of batteries.  In fact, we put batteries in ours 2 season ago and are still using them.

[Bluedog225]

Then it sounds like you need to plugged in and running rooftop a/c?

Otherwise, the 10" O2Cool fans (think I paid $14 at Walmart) that run on 4 D-cell batteries will run for days on just one set of batteries.  In fact, we put batteries in ours 2 season ago and are still using them.

boodocking so plugged in is not an option.  I'll check out the fans.  Thanks.

Tom

[austinado16]

We only dry camp also.  One battery, LED's in the ceiling lights, and the big O2Cool fan(s) when it's hot.

Sure beats spending a grand.......don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a big solar panel, but I just can't justify it.  Even on our home, our monthly bill is only $55, so there's no way a solar system would be viable.