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| All the parts |
Solar is magic, it really is. As long as the sun is shining, you have your lights, your water pump & your electronics going.
Life is more comfortable with solar.
Two 170w panels off Amazon for $180 ea, an mppt solar controller, a remote read out for the controller too. Two mount kits, two "Y" cords, some 10g solar wire & several mc4 connectors (they were a good buy so I bought extras).
The batteries are already there and I already have a few tubes of Dicor self-leveling sealant on hand (shop around, it can be found locally). I was just out taking photos of the solar gear & realized I'll need some bigger wire too, for panels down to the controller, and controller to battery.
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| The pieces |
Cable, $48
50 FT - 10 AWG Solar PV Multi-Conductor Tray Cable - 600V Type TC Cable
170w panels, $179
Newpowa 170W 170 Watt 12V Moncrystalline Solar Panel High Efficiency Mono Module
MC4 connectors, 5 pair pack for $5.18
ECO-WORTHY 5 Pairs MC4 Connector Male/Female Solar Panel Cable Connectors
Controller $149
SolarEpic 40A MPPT Solar Charge Controller 100V input Tracer A Series 4210A With Display
Remote readout for the controller $30
SolarEpic MT-50 Remote Meter LCD Display fit for Tracer BN series MPPT Charge Controller NOT FIT FOR RENOGY & HQST MPPT
"Y" cable connectors $10ea (you only need this if you're doing more than one panel)
Signstek Y Branch MC4 Parallel Connector Adapter M/FF and F/MM
Panel mount kit $10
HQST Solar Panel Mounting Z Brackets with Nuts and Bolts -- 4 Sets of RV, Boat, Roof, Wall and other Off Gird Installation
The header picture... I got tired of looking at roads so I went to sun set/rise pictures, then I found this one again. I just like it!
Keep in mind solar panels also provide shade for your roof.
ReplyDeleteRob, you have so much knowledge and skills. I would definitively have to pay if I wanted solar in my camping van.
ReplyDeleteLike the new header picture, had to do a double turn when I saw the horse as he reminded me of Walter.
ReplyDeleteThat has always been a favorite picture...
DeleteThat pony (Buck was his name, a Welsh pony) did not look that big in the ring! But we did get him into the back of the van!
I think the first solar panels I bought were 75 watts a piece and cost 600 dollars each! Solar has gotten a lot better in the last 17 years, and a lot cheaper Looks like that will be a terrific system. I'll check back.
ReplyDeleteGive us an update on the solar in six months.
ReplyDeleteIt's still sitting on the bench, I got the RV back from the shop last week & it's sitting at a storage place until we finish here.
ReplyDeleteI'm not anticipating any problems (famous last words!), this is the 3rd solar system I've done. Well the second, the first I had done at a solar place in Quartzsite AZ.