Another newbe...

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fatfenders
fatfenders Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Hello,
Just registered in an effort to get pointed in the right direction.
My wife and go camping with our '36 Chevy towing a very small trailer 2-3 times a summer for several days at a time.
[IMG]http://www.demiurgiac.com/'36 trailer 01.jpg[/IMG]
Last year we tossed our coolers and purchased an EdgeStar 80 Quart 12 Volt DC Portable Fridge/Freezer and at the same time added (2) Interstate 6 volt 232ah batteries to the trailer.
[IMG]http://www.demiurgiac.com/little trailer bats.jpg[/IMG]
We found that we could run about 3 days/nights without discharging the batteries below 12.06 in cooler climes but we also enjoy camping in the desert and found that in those higher ambient temperatures we would start getting close to 12.06 after just 5-6 daytime hours. Enter my decision to go "portable solar".
So I just finished (sans solar panel) building my own portable solar tracker using MTM Scientific's Solar Tracker Circuit Kit.
To view a build album of the tracker, click here (Criticisms welcome)
[IMG]http://www.demiurgiac.com/solar tracker 10.jpg[/IMG]
This will be the first time I have ever purchased a solar panel and that, of course, is my problem. There are sooo many choices!

Here are my only real requirements:
1. Physical size in the neighborhood of 24-30" wide and 4-5' high (to accommodate the solar tracker).
2. Only used 2-3 times a season for a few days at a time
3. As close to 200 watts as is practical given my physical size requirements.

Not looking for others to do my homework... just interested in anyone else's experience along these lines and/or suggestions for a panel/controller combination.
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    Re: Another newbe...

    welcome to the forum,
    usually the loads determine how much solar you'll need after all losses to satisfy those loads, but i think you are trying to go for as much as you can physically for your mount. i don't know if that is enough to supply the power you intend for your needs or not, but you can look over the many pvs our host sells and see which ones fit your mount.
    http://www.solar-electric.com/hiposopa.html
    or the smaller wattage group,
    http://www.solar-electric.com/1to39wasopa.html

    ps- nice car and i'd be afraid to drive that around as it would become a target for thieves or those that would vandalize.
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  • jtdiesel65
    jtdiesel65 Solar Expert Posts: 242 ✭✭✭
    #3
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    Re: Another newbe...

    Is the roof of the trailer usable?
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #4
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    Re: Another newbe...

    I'll sound like a broken record but ...
    Looks like another job for the Kyocera 135. At 60" x 27" it's about the biggest panel your tracker will accommodate. Pretty good price-per-Watt too. A bit low on the over-all power (all panels have about the same efficiency). but it would enable you to extend your run time (but not fully recharge). Higher capacity panels will be physically bigger as well.
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  • Slappy
    Slappy Solar Expert Posts: 251 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
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    Re: Another newbe...

    their is the kc140 at 59 x 26 w/ junction box. http://www.solar-electric.com/kykd140wasom.html 5 watts more than the 135's but has a havier frame. but it is $20 more than the 135's.
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  • fatfenders
    fatfenders Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭
    #6
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    Re: Another newbe...

    Thanks to all who responded here, very much appreciated.
    niel:
    I understand that the typical approach is to determine actual load requirements but due to the nature our application that is pretty much a moving target and, of course, we are constrained by space limitations.
    And regarding my car... its a daily driver. Can't see spending years building one of these things then keep it in a hermetically sealed garage except on 72º clear summer days with no wind. Of course, we take certain precautions but have been doing this sort of thing for years with no problems.

    jtdiesel65:
    As you may well suspect, I am 'gadgets' kinda guy, hence the solar tracker. But, yes, I am keeping my eye on the trailer roof.

    Cariboocoot / Slappy:

    I just got off the phone with 'Robert' after ordering the "Morningstar ProStar 30 Amp Solar Charge Controller, 12/24 Volt With Digital Meter" and the "Kyocera Solar KD140SX-UPU - 12 Volt, 140 Watt Panel."

    Obviously, that controller lets me expand a little if I end up wanting to use another panel. Right now my plan is just to get this system up and working, see how it all works, in different environments, and go from there.

    Look for an update come early summer!

    One other thing... I asked Robert about the Conergy 180. Sounded interesting until he quoted me the freight charge!

    Anyway, thanks again for responding.
    Attachment not found.
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  • simagic
    simagic Solar Expert Posts: 100 ✭✭✭✭
    #7
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    Re: Another newbe...
    fatfenders wrote: »
    Hello,
    Just registered in an effort to get pointed in the right direction.
    My wife and go camping with our '36 Chevy towing a very small trailer 2-3 times a summer for several days at a time.
    [IMG]http://www.demiurgiac.com/'36 trailer 01.jpg[/IMG]
    Last year we tossed our coolers and purchased an EdgeStar 80 Quart 12 Volt DC Portable Fridge/Freezer and at the same time added (2) Interstate 6 volt 232ah batteries to the trailer.
    [IMG]http://www.demiurgiac.com/little trailer bats.jpg[/IMG]
    We found that we could run about 3 days/nights without discharging the batteries below 12.06 in cooler climes but we also enjoy camping in the desert and found that in those higher ambient temperatures we would start getting close to 12.06 after just 5-6 daytime hours. Enter my decision to go "portable solar".
    So I just finished (sans solar panel) building my own portable solar tracker using MTM Scientific's Solar Tracker Circuit Kit.
    To view a build album of the tracker, click here (Criticisms welcome)
    [IMG]http://www.demiurgiac.com/solar tracker 10.jpg[/IMG]
    This will be the first time I have ever purchased a solar panel and that, of course, is my problem. There are sooo many choices!

    Here are my only real requirements:
    1. Physical size in the neighborhood of 24-30" wide and 4-5' high (to accommodate the solar tracker).
    2. Only used 2-3 times a season for a few days at a time
    3. As close to 200 watts as is practical given my physical size requirements.

    Not looking for others to do my homework... just interested in anyone else's experience along these lines and/or suggestions for a panel/controller combination.
    signature.png

    Check this. just a little bit larger.
    http://www.grapesolar.com/index.php/products/modulesandkits/gs-s-200-fab1/
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  • fatfenders
    fatfenders Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭
    #8
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    Re: Another newbe...

    Last January several of you were good enough to respond to my 'Newbie' kinda Solar questions. Well, here it is late June and I have made my first 'field test'. Since you were good enough to help me out I thought I would report back with what I have done and the results of my efforts.
    Upon what I learned here and "Robert's" help, I did, in fact, purchase a Morningstar ProStar 30 Amp Solar Charge Controller, 12/24 Volt With Digital Meter" and the "Kyocera Solar KD140SX-UPU - 12 Volt, 140 Watt Panel." This combination has suited my needs perfectly!
    For those of you who might be curious to see what I did you can click here to view an album of the project. The album also includes a little 12v-12v car charger I cobbled together. It certainly qualifies as "non-standard" but seems to work pretty good, runn'n down the road. As before, comments, criticisms welcome.
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  • Jim45D
    Jim45D Solar Expert Posts: 102 ✭✭
    #9
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    Re: Another newbe...

    You certainly done a nice job there. Thanks for sharing.

    Jim
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