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Solar

Cathy L

Cathy L

Newbie
I have the Morningstar 12 v Sun Saver-10 solar controller in my new 550 Ultra. I boon dock and would like to use energy consuming things like 12 v crock pot, 12 v hot water pot. I'm thinking I need about a 60 watt panel. What recommendations ?? What is good source ?? Many thanks in advance ! cathy
 
I can't answer your question but I have a suggestion- instead of using a 12v crock pot use a Sunpentown Thermal Cooker found on Amazon.com- no electricity- search thermal cooker on the forum to read what I've said about it. I have one and love it!
 
I got my 80w panel from http://www.ul-solar.com. Their prices are much lower than anywhere else I could find. I was a bit worried because of that, but the panel works great so no problems that I could find. Other people on the forum have since used them and are happy as well.

If you are expecting it to have a stand you may have to do that yourself though. It has an rectangular alumimum extrusion so it was easy for me to attach the brackets that I used to put it on the roof.
 
I have a 55watt panel from UL Solar. It does a good job as long as there is direct sunlight. I liked the physical size(dimensions) of the panel(square).If I had to do it over, I would go up to the next size panel just to make sure there was plenty of power. I agree with Evan about UL Solar. Good prices and quality. I got a 30 ft cable with the panel so I could move the panel around as needed for the best sunlight exposure.
Charlie
 
Evan,
The 80 w TS or TL ? Did it come with the cigarette lighter plug or did you have to get that extra? Did you mount it permanently to the roof ? thanks !
 
Cathy, perhaps I once knew what TS and TL mean, but not anymore. It came with two plugs - male and female. They weren't cigarette lighter plugs, but they were about that size. I also bought a 30' extension cable of the same type, cut it in half, plugged both ends into the solar panel and ran the cut ends into the terminals on the controller. Since you already have an external port on your trailer (I'm assuming) you will need a certain type of cord. Perhaps Cary can help you out here.

My panel is permanently mounted to the roof - a 560 has a great flat spot for that. There are pictures in this thread:
http://www.campinnforum.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=4207&page=3
 
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Cathy,
When I had the folks at Camp-Inn install the solar hookup in the trailer, Cary included the 12 volt plug for the end of the cord. I made some brackets for the panel that fold into the panel frame when not in use. The brackets are more like legs when folded out.I store the panel in the box that it came in, especially when travelling. I use the panel on the ground, when the brackets are opened, the panel is about 45 degrees to the ground. I use the panel to charge the batteries when we are home to save a little electricity.
I hope this helps. If I knew how to put a picture in this post I could show you the brackets/legs.
Charlie
 
Thanks for the info. I admire Evan's permanent installation!, but I think I'm going do movable like Charlie. Thanks, again !
 
Cathy said:
Thermal cooker sounds interesting. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Did you read about it here under search? I have a great roast recipe that I can't wait to use while out "roughing it"! Also, Chicken & Rice one...
 
Hello out there. Despite reading all the posts I'm afraid I'm lost on the solar issue. I have purchased a 560 with the solar option. My question is this, is there a solar panel that I can purchase that is ready to be plugged in to the CI without some modifications? Thank you in advance.
 
Billy said:
Hello out there. Despite reading all the posts I'm afraid I'm lost on the solar issue. I have purchased a 560 with the solar option. My question is this, is there a solar panel that I can purchase that is ready to be plugged in to the CI without some modifications? Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

Billy,
Most new panels today should come with what they call an MC4 cable plug in.
MC4 cable comes in different lengths with a female end on one end and a male end on the other. Say you get a 30 ft. cable, cut it in 1/2. Will then give you 15ft. of cable. The longer the cable the less efficient so don't over do it. The two loose ends then get wired into the CI factory plug that plugs into the side of the camper.
Make sure you get the polarity right.
One more thing the MC4 cable is 10 gauge stranded wire but the plug does not accept that big of wire. You may need to wire on a short piece of smaller gauge to fit the plug.
It is not near as complicated as it sounds.
I'm sure Craig or Cary can also be of assistance.
 
Thanks for the help!
I've been checking out some folding panels by powerfilmsolar.com. Anybody hear of those being used? I like the idea of the folding panel. Less space and all. Expensive though.
 
I believe I paid 268.00 for my zamp folding solar panel it is a 60W. So you can use this to give you an idea of what to expect.

Not sure where you are in Oregon but if you are ever in my area would be glad to show you what I have. Dave
 
Billy. Wow the Powerfilm panels are a righteous price. 90 watts (recommended that you need at least 80 for the CI) at Amazon with 25% off are $1,449.99 and they only have a few left :). Similar to the ones from Brunton.

The thing that has worried me is that you would normally put your panel out all day to generate the most recharge time. I probably wouldn't be enjoying the day away from the trailer leaving the panels draped out, doing their thing, only to have them folded and swept away. That would really hurt. Regular solar panel at a couple of hundred dollars sitting on the ground pr laying on the roof of the CI probably less likely to walk.

They do make a lot of sense if you are backcountry back packing and need power, maybe...

But for the ultimate combine the powerfilm panels into a tent cover like the NorthernBreeze, generate something like 3Kw and you might have something like this..

Powershade.png


And only $51,000 for the 2Kw model.
 
Billy,
There are any number of panels on the market.
If you are getting the solar option wiring in your camper I don't believe you need a controller on the panel because the camper will come with a Morningstar controller as part of the solar option. Most panels should come with wire leads on them. (MC4 cable)The only thing that should be needed is to wire up the plug that CI supplies to plug into the side of camper and you are good to go.
I would be hesitant to leave my panel out if I were not around. The strangest things get legs.
 
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