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Search: Posts Made By: doug30293
Forum: Solar Power 01-07-16, 05:19 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 9,686
Posted By doug30293
OK, new problem. I have a converter/charger in...

OK, new problem. I have a converter/charger in the RV of the type known to destroy batteries. A new 4 stage Iota 45 amp converter is $187. Not bad but is it necessary?

The MPPT provides four...
Forum: Solar Power 12-23-15, 11:17 AM
Replies: 19
Views: 9,686
Posted By doug30293
It turns out the relay driver is a $160 option. ...

It turns out the relay driver is a $160 option. For a little less money one could instead use a brick PLC with six outputs instead of four and also have eight inputs. The Tri-Star Modbus interface...
Forum: Solar Power 12-19-15, 12:44 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 9,686
Posted By doug30293
I looked at the documentation on the Morningstar...

I looked at the documentation on the Morningstar MPPT-45 this morning. It has four auxiliary relay control outputs (open collector, I presume) but I can't find much in the way of an explanation how...
Forum: Solar Power 12-19-15, 08:35 AM
Replies: 19
Views: 9,686
Posted By doug30293
I suppose some variation of this idea is...

I suppose some variation of this idea is available in all but the least expensive controllers. Otherwise an off grid system would waste a lot of energy once the batteries are up. This is the kind...
Forum: Solar Power 12-17-15, 06:19 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 9,686
Posted By doug30293
Home Depot doesn't charge shipping if you pick...

Home Depot doesn't charge shipping if you pick them up at a store. They had them for about $120 a while back but I procrastinated. Now they are $134 - still not bad. I would rather refuse a broken...
Forum: Solar Power 12-15-15, 07:36 AM
Replies: 19
Views: 9,686
Posted By doug30293
Renogy has a few MPPT controllers as reasonable...

Renogy has a few MPPT controllers as reasonable cost, though I did not find the $120 panels you mentioned. The Grape Solar panels sold by Home depot are a little more at $135 but I can get a...
Forum: Solar Power 12-13-15, 07:21 AM
Replies: 19
Views: 9,686
Posted By doug30293
Mine is 40 years old and not regulated. Do you...

Mine is 40 years old and not regulated. Do you have a recommendation? I've had good luck with most Harbor Freight stuff. Don't know much about their electrical devices though.
Forum: Solar Power 12-12-15, 02:48 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 9,686
Posted By doug30293
Four Trojan T105's in series parallel for 12V at...

Four Trojan T105's in series parallel for 12V at 450AH. 24V wasn't an option due to existing equipment and the availability of 12V from the vehicle alternator. The inverter is a Xantrex SW2000
Forum: Solar Power 12-12-15, 08:14 AM
Replies: 19
Views: 9,686
Posted By doug30293
One microwave (1200W) for heating coffee, five or...

One microwave (1200W) for heating coffee, five or ten 4W LED bulbs, one computer hooked to a 32" flat screen TV two hours a day, 80W heater circulation pump (not OEM), a Dometic ammonia absorption...
Forum: Solar Power 12-11-15, 05:29 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 9,686
Posted By doug30293
PV for a 30ft 5th wheel (photovoltaic solar panels on RV)

I am looking at various components for a 400W array to put on my trailer. Unless I am missing something it appears I have three options:

1. Buy a kit that is either overpriced and/or does not...
Forum: Lighting 09-15-15, 11:12 AM
Replies: 12
Views: 9,902
Posted By doug30293
I will check out Lowes next time we are over...

I will check out Lowes next time we are over there. $2.50 is close enough to the price of CFL's to make it worth the swap.

I've had a whole house protector for about 15 years. It is probably...
Forum: Lighting 09-12-15, 08:45 AM
Replies: 12
Views: 9,902
Posted By doug30293
It was a dark and stormy night...

As the storm approached I went around the house pulling plugs. It is a ritual here. I had just pulled the last electronic device when we got a close lightning strike.

I was standing next to an...
Forum: Geothermal & Heat Pumps 08-31-15, 02:10 PM
Replies: 27
Views: 12,567
Posted By doug30293
There is an engineering report somewhere on the...

There is an engineering report somewhere on the web of an R22 HVAC compressor unit exploding because the service tech failed to evacuate it properly before charging with refrigerant. R22 has a range...
Forum: Geothermal & Heat Pumps 08-27-15, 04:39 PM
Replies: 27
Views: 12,567
Posted By doug30293
That sounds like formicary corrosion. It is a...

That sounds like formicary corrosion. It is a big problem with R410 systems. I've never heard of it on an R22 system. About the time manufacturers switched to higher pressure R410 they also...
Forum: Solar Power 08-11-15, 02:48 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 8,778
Posted By doug30293
I noticed the weight discrepancy as soon as I...

I noticed the weight discrepancy as soon as I looked at bigger panels. 40 pounds for 100W was probably shipping weight. Now if only the same were true for the batteries.
Forum: Solar Power 08-10-15, 07:11 AM
Replies: 19
Views: 8,778
Posted By doug30293
Not really a design flaw. The object of...

Not really a design flaw. The object of snowbirding is to park your camper in the sun all day, preferably in some desolate part of the southwest where they have sun all day.
Forum: Solar Power 08-09-15, 07:54 PM
Replies: 3
Views: 4,010
Posted By doug30293
That is a big panel. Truck shipment from...

That is a big panel. Truck shipment from California on one or two panels would be high. For a big installation they would be cost effective.

These are probably better for a home roof than the...
Forum: Solar Power 08-09-15, 02:38 PM
Replies: 3
Views: 4,010
Posted By doug30293
Almost a Dollar a Watt.

I just came across this:

Grape Solar 100-Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panel for RV's, Boats and 12-Volt Systems-GS-Star-100W - The Home Depot...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 08-09-15, 10:36 AM
Replies: 13
Views: 16,904
Posted By doug30293
Off-grid campers all tell me the biggest single...

Off-grid campers all tell me the biggest single drain on the battery is the heater fan. The awful noise it makes should be a clue. From my experience it is also the most wasteful consumer of...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 08-09-15, 09:54 AM
Replies: 13
Views: 16,904
Posted By doug30293
I just remembered another issue with the AC. If...

I just remembered another issue with the AC. If yours is ducted through the ceiling you can improve its efficiency by blocking those ducts at the AC and purchase or fabricate a new return grille. ...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 08-05-15, 10:11 AM
Replies: 13
Views: 16,904
Posted By doug30293
Liquid Roof is quite expensive and it is a lot of...

Liquid Roof is quite expensive and it is a lot of work. If I were doing it over I would replace the EPDM skin. There was damage to the OSB underneath where the trim failed at the rear. This...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 08-04-15, 09:57 AM
Replies: 13
Views: 16,904
Posted By doug30293
I just looked at your embedded video. The layout...

I just looked at your embedded video. The layout is nearly identical to my 02 Four winds, which we will be living in shortly.

If your EPDM roof is original and showing signs of age I can...
Forum: Solar Power 07-28-15, 07:20 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 8,778
Posted By doug30293
I agree about the moving parts. The flat panel...

I agree about the moving parts. The flat panel approach is probably best for an RV.

My next concern is weight. Five 100W panels at 40 pounds each is 200 pounds. Add three batteries, wire,...
Forum: Solar Power 07-21-15, 03:34 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 8,778
Posted By doug30293
Branches, such as the one that got your panel,...

Branches, such as the one that got your panel, are what concern me. The safest place for the PV's seems to be inline and behind the rooftop AC unit. That should provide the best protection as it is...
Forum: Solar Power 07-21-15, 08:30 AM
Replies: 19
Views: 8,778
Posted By doug30293
At about 40 pounds per panel I could probably add...

At about 40 pounds per panel I could probably add a fifth panel with less weight gain than the tilt structure. There will be some structure in either case as I do not want to attach the panels...
Showing results 1 to 25 of 91

 
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