Solar

Electrical issues, both 12 volt and 120 volt
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Choptop
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Solar

Post by Choptop »

Good, some what easy to understand, for electrically challenger persons like me. https://www.thefitrv.com/rv-tips/how-mu ... -on-my-rv/
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Kentuckian
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Re: Solar

Post by Kentuckian »

James at Fit RV does good work. Nice practical blog post.

For those interested in the fundamentals of each solar system component (as well as an entertaining read) Handy Bob is another great source of experience based information. https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/
1993 Airstream B190
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okaynagan
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Re: Solar

Post by okaynagan »

Choptop wrote:Good, some what easy to understand, for electrically challenger persons like me. https://www.thefitrv.com/rv-tips/how-mu ... -on-my-rv/

thanks for this link, going to study it as we plan to put solar in one of these years. This information helps with the planning as we know little about it.
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usachris
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Re: Solar

Post by usachris »

Great video to show how simple adding solar can be:

https://youtu.be/zUqdU92u724

Music is a bit loud at the start.
Christopher Salazar
1999 B190 #301352
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Choptop
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Re: Solar

Post by Choptop »

Thanks for the link .
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mountaindent
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Re: Solar

Post by mountaindent »

Just curious has anyone used this on their B190 dashboard trickle Charger for their Campervan? On Amazon. Check it out and I am thinking about getting since the old solar panel on the top was deemed bad.



Sunway Solar
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[Very Easy to Install]-The solar charger panel mounts easily to the windshield or dash and conveniently plugs into your car's 12 volt cigarette lighter! Suction cup available with the solar charger.If you need a Quick Connect 16FT Extension Cable, please check the ASIN: B06X6LJTD6 .
[3W 15V Solar Panel]-Keep your 12V batteries(>20AH) topped off with this solar battery charger ,which helps to manage battery drain in all seasons. Designed to compensate for small, steady battery drains from the vehicle's clock or alarm system.If your battery capacity is lower than 20AH, we advise you to get a sunway solar controller regulator with it for overcharge safety protection,please check the asin B06X9VWZYF.
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Kentuckian
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Re: Solar

Post by Kentuckian »

I've used a similar 3 watt solar battery maintainer for my tow car for many years. I hook it up if I'm not going to be using the tow car for a month or so. It uses clamps to the battery terminals and then I place the panel on the roof of the car. Works great to prevent a battery from self discharging while sitting for a long period of time. However, the current output is not sufficient to use it to recharge a drained battery.

I also really like the battery desulfator / maintainer from BatteryMinder. http://www.batteryminders.com/solar-bat ... maintainer.

I have used mine several times to recover old weak batteries. However, be aware that it takes several months to recover a battery with heavy sulfated plates. And if the battery is so bad that it won't hold a charge for a day or two, the BatteryMinder is not likely to recover it.

When I'm not using it to recover weak batteries, I use it as a maintainer.
1993 Airstream B190
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mountaindent
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Re: Solar

Post by mountaindent »

I like the fact that it can use the cigarette lighter opening to plug into and trickle charge the battery. I noticed in B-190 that the lighter port is live even when the truck is not running so allows for the trickle charge.
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Choptop
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Re: Solar

Post by Choptop »

Thanks, good info !!
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skater
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Re: Solar

Post by skater »

mountaindent wrote:I like the fact that it can use the cigarette lighter opening to plug into and trickle charge the battery. I noticed in B-190 that the lighter port is live even when the truck is not running so allows for the trickle charge.
(For the engine battery.)
1991 Airstream B190 - bought, 2005; sold, 2011; bought 2017
1995 Airstream Excella 30' trailer

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mountaindent
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Re: Solar

Post by mountaindent »

Which brings the question how do I keep the house battery charged up? Does that really need a solar panel on the roof? Is there another way?
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skater
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Re: Solar

Post by skater »

mountaindent wrote:Which brings the question how do I keep the house battery charged up? Does that really need a solar panel on the roof? Is there another way?
Mine has a 12 volt socket next to the antenna/coax switch that is wired to the coach; you could plug the panel in there and put it in a window. In fact that’s what I bought the panel for originally.
1991 Airstream B190 - bought, 2005; sold, 2011; bought 2017
1995 Airstream Excella 30' trailer

WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
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mountaindent
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Re: Solar

Post by mountaindent »

Thank you! I feel as if you have a PHd in the B190 realm.
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