Visit My Solar System
Here’s the solar panel I recently mounted on the roof. It produces 100+ watts at 12 volts. The wires run through a waterproof gasket into the vehicle and down to the charge controller:
The charge controller takes the electricity from the panel on the roof, charges the batteries and sends the current to the fuse block where I connect everything I need to power; lights, vents, speakers, refrigerator and 12 volt sockets for charging batteries and running anything else. There’s also a small inverter that converts the 12v DC to 120v AC so I can run the juicer or other house-current appliances. I use 2 sealed deep cycle batteries. I can add another panel for faster recharging or an additional battery so that I can go for longer periods without sun.
January 30th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
It’s great to see your solar panel on the van!! I have a portable solar panel that I hookup to a DC attic fan in the summer, but during the winter I don’t know what to do with the panel. Ideas?
January 30th, 2006 at 10:18 pm
Hi Lo! In the winter, you could connect the panel to a battery and a 12 volt fan to circulate all the warmth from your wood stove around the house. During the day, when you’re away, the panel would charge the battery and at night you could run the fan from the battery. Having this panel/battery setup would also provide a backup in case of a power outage for lights, radio, etc…
January 30th, 2006 at 11:42 pm
Thanks for your comments. I like that idea. The attic fan is a big noisy critter, though. If I wanted a smaller fan, would you suggest I get a DC fan, or use a regular AC fan with an inverter?
In the first scenario I’d need to purchase the DC fan and a battery; in the second scenario I’d need to purchase an inverter and a battery (I already have an AC fan).
I guess the latter makes more sense, since the inverter would be useful for other AC-wired stuff, too?
January 31st, 2006 at 7:28 am
Yeah, the inverter could be useful but it’s gonna suck lots of juice from the battery. You’d need a large battery to run an AC fan all night. I have a dc fan that at the low setting, uses only 1 watt. That means that you could use a smaller, cheaper battery and save the inverter for quick applications, or low-draw uses like charging small batteries.
January 31st, 2006 at 10:36 pm
Wow, that’s sweet!! When do I get to see it in person?
February 1st, 2006 at 11:45 am
Okay, the small DC fan sounds like a good idea. And a battery. I’m still very new at this, so I appreciate your assistance. My next question: can you recommend a good vendor for these items?
February 1st, 2006 at 5:35 pm
The DC fan I recommend is called the Endless Breeze and it’s larger, quieter and more efficient than any other fan I could find. It moves way more air than most 12 volt fans. Scamazon sells it through a 3rd party for 60 bucks. That’s 10-20 dollars less than it usually goes for. Batteries can be very pricey to ship, so I will search for something in your area. Two 6 volt golf cart batteries could work. But the newer sealed gel batteries and the even newer glass mat batteries have longer lives (more cycles of discharge and recharge) and are safer to use indoors. All batteries give off gases when they operate.
Hiya Camo! I will be returning to the east coast in April and hooking up with John Seed for part of his ‘06 tour of the states. I’ll tell you more when the schedule gets solidified. Can’t wait to see you and the crew!
http://www.fantasticvent.com/products/endless_breeze/endless_breeze.html
February 2nd, 2006 at 10:24 am
Holy back to the future batman…..nice flux capacitor. I wanna race you now.
February 2nd, 2006 at 3:48 pm
Sorry Shinobi, the van only goes in reverse.