Advice on deep cycle setup?
Hello, I have a Safari van that I've converted into a camper. I replaced the starting battery with a Duracell Ultra Dual Purpose (Starting/Cycling) Battery that cost $105 (got it at batteries ...
Forum Discussion
Hi All,
While the alternator is TBD, I want to re-visit the solar.
I have been using the battery for dinners & lunches (soft boiled eggs), so I want to get to replenishing it asap.
(I'm planning to hook up the alternator/starter connection line tomorrow or Sunday)
So - I've figured out that I can probably mount 2 100 watt 5.75 lsc panels on hinges to the top rail of my glass rack.
This would allow them to sit on top of my ladders and get full sun. I could use some hardware/ties/bungees to attach them on the other side of the panels (to the ladders/racks). This could be undone, and they could be flipped over via the hinges to lay flat against the glass rack, when I need to access my ladders.
The glass rack top rail is about 8' long. Two panels under 4' each would allow me a channel in the middle where I could climb up etc. when the panels are down.
I'd probably only need to do that once a month (I'm not using my ladders too much at the moment).
Cost would be $250 for 2 mono panels and $200 for 2 poly panels.
Plus the $55 for the grape solar controller, and another ~$15 for wires? With $15 for hardware, this puts this in at $335 or so for mono.
(My past plan was to mount a single panel above the cab beneath the ladders. Obviously partially shaded. Once I find stable housing, I will take the long 32' ladder off and store it at home - leaving only the mid-sized 24' ladder overhanging).
I know this will add a bit of structural instability to the panels. I'm not sure if this would be a problem?
Thoughts?
Thank you,
L
While the alternator is TBD, I want to re-visit the solar.
I have been using the battery for dinners & lunches (soft boiled eggs), so I want to get to replenishing it asap.
(I'm planning to hook up the alternator/starter connection line tomorrow or Sunday)
So - I've figured out that I can probably mount 2 100 watt 5.75 lsc panels on hinges to the top rail of my glass rack.
This would allow them to sit on top of my ladders and get full sun. I could use some hardware/ties/bungees to attach them on the other side of the panels (to the ladders/racks). This could be undone, and they could be flipped over via the hinges to lay flat against the glass rack, when I need to access my ladders.
The glass rack top rail is about 8' long. Two panels under 4' each would allow me a channel in the middle where I could climb up etc. when the panels are down.
I'd probably only need to do that once a month (I'm not using my ladders too much at the moment).
Cost would be $250 for 2 mono panels and $200 for 2 poly panels.
Plus the $55 for the grape solar controller, and another ~$15 for wires? With $15 for hardware, this puts this in at $335 or so for mono.
(My past plan was to mount a single panel above the cab beneath the ladders. Obviously partially shaded. Once I find stable housing, I will take the long 32' ladder off and store it at home - leaving only the mid-sized 24' ladder overhanging).
I know this will add a bit of structural instability to the panels. I'm not sure if this would be a problem?
Thoughts?
Thank you,
L
