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160 Watt 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel $115


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#51 EnviroProf

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Posted 27 August 2017 - 12:23 PM

EnviroProf, I've not had any issues lifting with the panel on top. I'll note that we ordered our shell with the heavier-rated lift struts (40 lb?) since we knew we'd be adding solar within the year. The front is the harder of the two ends, but it's really that first 2" to get it started, then it is very easy. The last half of the lift, it practically goes up by itself.

Still amazed what this panel will do. I was at the gas station the other day under the canopy in total shade and was making almost an amp. I usually don't bother prechilling the Engel on AC power because the solar makes so much there is no need. Very nice.

 

Chadx, good to know. I'm not sure what I ended up with for struts. It wasn't a conversation I had with Denny S. when I ordered it. I ordered the Fleet with Yakima tracks but not the solar setup as I prefer to design my own system. I thought I read somewhere in this forum that if you order your camper with solar they include the heavier struts in the build. It would make sense that they would do that for someone ordering Yakima tracks. Anyone know?


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#52 Squatch

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Posted 27 August 2017 - 06:06 PM

Thanks Squatch, 

Appreciate the Electric 101 explanation as I still struggle with the basics. Trouble with catching up learning is that there are huge holes in the knowledge. I am pretty confident that I am missing something whenever I delve into an electrical project.  

 

I've spent most of my life doing low voltage wiring and such. Retired phone company with lot's of training. I still find myself scratching my head often!


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#53 Chadx

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Posted 28 August 2017 - 01:47 PM

Chadx, good to know. I'm not sure what I ended up with for struts. It wasn't a conversation I had with Denny S. when I ordered it. I ordered the Fleet with Yakima tracks but not the solar setup as I prefer to design my own system. I thought I read somewhere in this forum that if you order your camper with solar they include the heavier struts in the build. It would make sense that they would do that for someone ordering Yakima tracks. Anyone know?

 

EnviroProf, When I ordered our shell from Denny, I specifically requested (and he put on the order form to FWC factory) the heavier lift struts. You are correct that they include them if you get factory solar.  I believe they install the lighter duty lift struts otherwise (at least for tracks-only. Not sure if they bump them up if you order the tracks and crossbars with the assumption you'll be carrying items on the roof).  

 

Note that with the heavier struts, before I fitted our aftermarket solar panel up top, it was actually hard to get the front of the camper to lower the first 1/2. The heavier struts really do push up a lot! But as others have pointed out, the lift assist is greater the closer the top is to full up. So when opening, the first few inches are still pretty hard to get started. I've found that steady force is more important than high force. It just takes it a few seconds to free up and start moving. 


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#54 Chadx

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Posted 28 August 2017 - 02:43 PM

I've been very tempted to buy a 2nd Trimetric and sc2030. And them make a portable charger for my folding 120 watt suitcase panels. Then use that to charge my boat batteries.

 

Squatch, I've been considering using my camper battery bank/solar to recharge my boat batteries since I have so much unused potential.  I just started a new thread to discuss if you, or anyone, is interested. 

Here:  http://www.wanderthe...boat-batteries/


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#55 Chadx

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 06:13 PM

I posted this in another thread so thought I'd go back and at least put the continuation in this thread as well. Here are some pictures of how I attached my 180watt panel. As noted previously, it was chosen because it, like the 160watt panel, spanned the yakima track width perfectly so no need for angle stock to span the gap of the tracks like one needs for shorter panels.

 

I measured, marked and attached a 1/4" thick aluminum bar to both short edges of the panel. Then used some short sections of the same 1/4" bar stock as spacers to give clearance to the bolts heads of the bolts used to attach panel to bar stock. I drilled two holes in each doubled up section and ran m6 bolts, with lock washer, into the Yakima plates included in with the tracks. This gave me a total of 8 attachment points between the barstock and the track.  It has not moved, nor any bolts loosened, all summer on and offroading plus it is no taller than the two roof vents so I can still fit in the parking garage at work (by 2 inches).

 

thumbnail_20170721_193916.jpg thumbnail_20170721_194002.jpg thumbnail_20170721_193933.jpg thumbnail_20170721_193835.jpg

 


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#56 craig333

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 07:24 PM

Anyone holding off might want to purchase soon.

 

http://fortune.com/2...-costs-tariffs/


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Craig K6JGV_________________________ 2004 2500 CTD 4X4 FWC HAWK 1960 CJ5





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