Brettmm92
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Re: 100 watt Solar decision
In an odd turn of events, I ended up getting 2 of the 90$ sams club duracell 90$ 6 volts. Only because of a spontaneous job interview that was 400+ miles round trip. THANKS FOR POINTING THEM OUT TO ME. They were super affordable but also the core charge was ONLY 5$ when the core charge for interstate was quoted at 25$ so I will take the small amp hours loss. And the funny thing is even though I only get about 11mpg with my truck, I'd bet the money I spent on going to that job interview driving over 400 miles and getting the sams club batteries with the club membership (45$) was about the same as the interstate batteries cost. But seriously, interstate does have a good reputation and convenience factor. BTW, does anyone know where I could find a place that has a "pre-crimped" wire that would put the two batteries in a series with thick gauge? The few places that were on my trip only had 6 gauge and im thinking 2 or 0 gauge is what is ideal. But only from articles I read online, maybe I'm wrong?596Views0likes0CommentsRe: 100 watt Solar decision
Pianotuna, that would be a good solution especially since I'll have some to spare. But the one thing in the back of my mind is that if I end up doing that and it will allow 60 amps, or 720 Watts through (of course I am not going to intentionally provoke such a thing) does that test the safety that the fuse is there to provide in the first place? Forgive my bad wording of that. What do you think a realistic "danger" energy (any unit of energy) would be running through the wire? And the fuses are to protect the battery, right? Opnspaces, that's some good advice. I'm glad you posted that because the light most convienent to add on the plug is right on the corner and I might have not thought of that as well. They even have small usb powered fans that make the idea even more appealing. And I got the fuses that I got but I think something like this would have been the way to go- Fuse box with screws596Views0likes0CommentsRe: 100 watt Solar decision
Opnspaces, I took a peak behind one of the wall lights and was glad to see that the wiring would be relatively easy to fix up a usb plug. And I was going to go without an inverter but I found a 400 watt cobra modified sine wave for 20$ refurbished with wires and had to get it. But I ordered a 12 volt plug because it will be nice to have and didn't break the bank for pure dc and convenience. Pianotuna, I think I'll just keep the fuses I ordered already and upgrade eventually. Looks like they're already shipping.. I'm glad you liked your inverter, I have confidence I will enjoy mine. Profdant, head spinning, maybe slightly. But I feel like I'm starting to get a grasp on this solar thing. Especially a lot more than before I made my post. Hearing about your success makes me feel more confident in the future. I'm really excited to test out my own propane refrigerator.595Views0likes0CommentsRe: 100 watt Solar decision
I'm afraid I don't. I actually haven't had one for like 2 years. And I just put it in the battery bin at the local dump. I now know that there will be a core charge. Just when I accepted planning to pay 160$ for each of the interstate GC battery I chose, I learned that I had to suck it up and pay 25$ more a piece... Oh well. And that's good to know about the core exchange. I live at a park where it's more likely than average to find someone willing to give away an old battery. But I can't complain about the money, because I do have it available, I just would rather not spend so much. And being able to have lights and possibly other things like fridge everywhere I go, even at truck stops on the way is a very exciting prospect worth money262Views0likes0CommentsRe: 100 watt Solar decision
Whats the math on the fuse? I can actually change my order. I was going on 30A fuse based from the charge controller being 30 amps. I got a really cheap cobra 400 watt modified sine inverter and want to use it safely. Maybe I will keep the solar, but I'm thinking about enjoying the solar setup until late in the year. Without it the solar and my current plans I just wouldn't have electricity but me needing to be accessed by phone provoked the whole solar thing. And I actually don't have an RV battery because I junked it (recycled) after realizing it was dead.262Views0likes0CommentsRe: 100 watt Solar decision
Gdetrailer, you have a good point about sams club. Unofrtunately it just wouldn't work in my situation as getting to one isn't an option. But I did find a great groupon for sams club that makes it only 35 dollars a year and comes with 30$ worth of "egift cards!" groupon sams club memebership But if napa or the interstate dealer wasnt so close, my other options would be to go with 12 volt batteries or just do without. And I did get one of the higher end deep cell "they call it extreme cycle" batteries and the 400$ includes the core charge which seems to be hidden or not shown in advertising. And I do the "workamping" thing so I'm kind of all in on using my trailer. The other option would to be without electricity, but now that I am really getting a feel for everything I'm pretty excited to set this stuff up. Pianotuna, I can definitely see situations where I wouldn't want to get on the roof especially since I dont have a ladder and have to get creative to get up there. And another thing is that I can see situations where the parking won't cooperate with the angle of the panels. Maybe I would consider the SiO2 batteries. But I do know that I'm selling my camper eventually so i's just not worth it to me. But the golf cart batteries seem to be a good fit. And after looking for a fuse or breaker solution, I decided to buy these things, 17$ for 12 inline car like fuses that just need to be "butt crimped" to existing wires. Seemed like a cheap and easy solution that will enable me to put them on whatever I want and have a stash of leftover fuses if they do blow. Seems to be a pretty good deal. Don't I just need to put them on the positive end of things? Wouldn't putting one on a ground and one on a positive of something (like an inverter) be a waste? inline fuses262Views0likes0CommentsRe: 100 watt Solar decision
Are you saying that welders used to run off batteries? And because batteries ran welders there's a potential risk of batteries malfunctioning and expelling that much energy? Is there an easy fuse or breaker setup that won't take any cutting up a wire? Like one that goes from the end of the charge controller wire and bolts to the battery? I'm wanting to not splice or cut up wires if theres another way. And I was thinking having a setup of panels that lay flat on the roof but could be adjusted to around 45 degrees when no longer traveling to get better direct hit of sunlight would be superior even though it adds an extra thing to set up. And would the batteries I plan to buy between 300 and 400$ for two high quality GC 6 volts be worth all that money? They are still lead acid and need to have maintenance but I could get three 12 volt 27DC batteries from wally world for cheaper than that (slightly over 300 with core charge). But everything I read seems to point out GC batteries being superior. Walmart Battery262Views0likes0Comments
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