[VAC] Re: Solar panel/controller - just thoughts

[Agrijeep@xxxxxxx]

Bob:

   I have not installed any solar panels yet but have been thinking hard for 
the past few years about installing single solar panels between my (i) front 
& center vents and (ii) center & rear vents on my 1956 22' Flying Cloud.  I'd 
have both panels the same width, though in my application the length of each 
would be different due to different distances (38" and 44") between the three 
vents on my trailer.  I like the Kyocera KC-60 and KC-80 models for my 
application due to the relatively short distance between my vents.  I will 
regulate the panels with a Solar Boost 2000E, see "www.rvpowerproducts.com".  
 

    Picking solar panels wider than 15 inches will allow the use of two very 
long aluminum (say 2" x 2") angle irons from the rear of the front vent to 
the front of the rear vent.  If you have more than 2 vents (?? you may not on 
your Globe Trotter), you might consider this even though your present plans 
call for only one solar panel.  Long angle irons will allow you to install a 
second solar panel later between the other set of vents, if more than just 
two.  If you have only 2 vents, ignore this paragraph.  

    I will mount the angle irons on large "L" feet on both sides (streetside 
and curbside) so the feet can act as hinges which allow the panels to be 
swung up together towards the sun in either direction.  The end result will 
be two solar panels lengthwise between the respective vents on the crown of 
the roof, up out of harm's way and mostly out of sight.  Same hinging 
principle works with one solar panel.  

   For your application you might consider the Siemens SP75 (75 watts) at 
47.3 inches long and 20.8 inches wide; try "www.siemens.com" as a guess on my 
part.    
You also might sketch it all out on graph paper first, then use cardboard 
templates as a final check that the ends of the solar panel clear the lip 
edges of the roof vents.    

Fred C.