'71 Starcraft Wanderstar- "The Hilton"
Thought I should post this up because the "Search" feature doesn't return any results and there might be some useful info for older Starcraft owners or those that are mad enough to embark on a complet...
Forum Discussion
Thanks to all for the kind posts. Recording the restoration helps me out, too.
Might as well update on the solar installation.
The distribution of the 12v system had been on my mind for awhile. I knew I was going to adding more batteries for storage and they would probably be wet cells instead of the AGM type I had already installed. That is still not set in stone but I wanted to plan for a few contingencies. I posted up a "help-me" thread in the Tech issues section and the membership came to the rescue. At the end of the day, I had a working plan:
In order to get the variability to charge from the converter, charge from the solar controller, and draw to the inverter using two battery banks, I used three Cole-Hersee battery disconnect switches. The Morningstar Sunsaver MPPT-15 and Samlex inverter are mounted on the same aluminum panel. I havea serial interface cable mounted to the charge controller to datalog and see what's happening with solar. I will be adding a monitor in the future.
Back of panel:
The panel is wired with 4 AWG and I made three bus boxes to handle the distribution:
I decided that I wanted to be able to tilt the panel as winter storage at 45 latitude benefits. Also, if I get in a situation that would make tilting to another direction, I wanted to tilt the panel in 4 axis. Member Fire Instructor had done this and shared his photos and posts about how he had done this on his own rig so I was able to follow his lead with a couple of enhancements for my own. Hat's off to FI, he made it easy.
The mounts have three channel pieces that are sealed and bolted into the roof rafters. The tilting apparatus is attached to the module frame with hinges and aluminum angle pieces. Struts were made to hold the panel at the angle needed.
I had a little snafu with panel connection, the terminals on the back of the panel are not MC4, typical for most newer modules. They are some type of Euro connector so I'll be contacting Solarblvd.com to see what I can get from them for connections. The terminal is constructed just like an MC4 connector but is smaller in dimension.
I thought the Hilton would be online with solar, today, but the good news is that the mounts are working, the panel is up and the inverter has been tested to power the dorm fridge, successfully.
@Lefty--That is a nice receiver, the Yamaha Natural Sound series of that age had a really detailed and full sound. Excellent piece of stereo gear that we won't see the likes of, made again. Is it a CR-2024?
Might as well update on the solar installation.
The distribution of the 12v system had been on my mind for awhile. I knew I was going to adding more batteries for storage and they would probably be wet cells instead of the AGM type I had already installed. That is still not set in stone but I wanted to plan for a few contingencies. I posted up a "help-me" thread in the Tech issues section and the membership came to the rescue. At the end of the day, I had a working plan:
In order to get the variability to charge from the converter, charge from the solar controller, and draw to the inverter using two battery banks, I used three Cole-Hersee battery disconnect switches. The Morningstar Sunsaver MPPT-15 and Samlex inverter are mounted on the same aluminum panel. I havea serial interface cable mounted to the charge controller to datalog and see what's happening with solar. I will be adding a monitor in the future.
Back of panel:
The panel is wired with 4 AWG and I made three bus boxes to handle the distribution:
I decided that I wanted to be able to tilt the panel as winter storage at 45 latitude benefits. Also, if I get in a situation that would make tilting to another direction, I wanted to tilt the panel in 4 axis. Member Fire Instructor had done this and shared his photos and posts about how he had done this on his own rig so I was able to follow his lead with a couple of enhancements for my own. Hat's off to FI, he made it easy.
The mounts have three channel pieces that are sealed and bolted into the roof rafters. The tilting apparatus is attached to the module frame with hinges and aluminum angle pieces. Struts were made to hold the panel at the angle needed.
I had a little snafu with panel connection, the terminals on the back of the panel are not MC4, typical for most newer modules. They are some type of Euro connector so I'll be contacting Solarblvd.com to see what I can get from them for connections. The terminal is constructed just like an MC4 connector but is smaller in dimension.
I thought the Hilton would be online with solar, today, but the good news is that the mounts are working, the panel is up and the inverter has been tested to power the dorm fridge, successfully.
@Lefty--That is a nice receiver, the Yamaha Natural Sound series of that age had a really detailed and full sound. Excellent piece of stereo gear that we won't see the likes of, made again. Is it a CR-2024?
