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VAL Digest V1 #20



VAL Digest         Monday, September 29 2003         Volume 01 : Number 020




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Topics in Today's Digest:

Re: [VAL] solar
Re: [VAL] solar
Re: [VAL] waste tank valves
Re: [VAL] solar
Re: [VAL] solar
Re: [VAL] solar
Re: [VAL] solar
Re: [VAL] solar
Re: [VAL] solar
Re: [VAL] solar
Re: [VAL] solar

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Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 10:15:45 -0400
From: Chris Elliott <celliott@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar

Jim ,
  they dont put out as many watts as my old  rigid ones , however they will
supply my 12 volt needs (lights ,tv, furnace blower in chilly but not
freezing weather )in state parks and williwacks where I dont have hook ups
to 110 .
   I dont have an inverter , they would not run ac , microwave , electric
stove , hair dryer , curling irons , etc that I dont use anyway ,even at
home . I do need the propane for cooking heating and etc.
    They give me some flexibility as far as campsites and I dont have to
smell or hear a generator in more natural settings beyond the extension
cord . and once they are manufactured , they dont pollute the place .
My old panels are mounted on a portable frame which is a hassle to move
inside when traveling , plus it blew over and busted one of the two panels
.
I did not like the looks of the frame permanently mounted on the roof , so
I bought these new ones .
   As far as the math about amps ,watts , average sun hours I haven't
figured it out yet , these are 64 watts per per panel x 2 panels. My old
rigid panels were 85 watts per panel x 2 panels which was more than enough
for me this summer even with the solid month of fog here and my bad habit
of falling asleep with the tv on . I suppose I am frugal otherwise with my
electric consumption , anyhow solar has enhanced my enjoyment of my
trailers.
Chris


JSmith1805@xxxxxxxxxx.com wrote:

> Question how many ampa do they produce under nprmal conditions?
> Jim Smith
>
> -

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 12:15:05 EDT
From: JSmith1805@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar

The reason I was asking about the am ps wae because about 20 years ago I har 
designed a boat to run on soler celsit would carry enough battery power to run 
about 150 miles on batterys alonethe battries would act as ballest the draw 
would be about 20 amps at 24 volts. the perpose of this boat was to attempt a 
trans alantic crossing on soler power. we were unable to get sponcership for 
this venture and it died on the vine.eavery now and i revisit this ida and now 
with the advances in techlnolegy it is probaly more fesable than ever 
especially with the advancement in the more powerful trolling motors.I keep dreaming 
but I know that now i am too old and mean to eaver do it.
Jim Smith

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Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 09:44:12 -0700
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Subject: Re: [VAL] waste tank valves

Is it the ShurFlo one that you've got? And is it a "permanent" 
installation or do you put the Macerator on just to dump?
Jo Ann

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 09:50:14 -0700
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar

Chris - could you describe how you installed the flexible panels in a 
little more detail or maybe a picture? Do they just keep your 
battery(s) charged and then you run stuff off the battery? I have a 12v 
refrig on order and am still a little concerned that the generator 
alone is not going to keep my Bubble's 12v battery (just one) charged 
when not on shore power although I won't have a microwave, hair dryer 
etc just lights and water pump on electric; no AC either.
jw
On Sunday, September 28, 2003, at 07:15 AM, Chris Elliott wrote:

> Jim ,
>   they dont put out as many watts as my old  rigid ones , however they 
> will
> supply my 12 volt needs (lights ,tv, furnace blower in chilly but not
> freezing weather )in state parks and williwacks where I dont have hook 
> ups
> to 110 .
>    I dont have an inverter , they would not run ac , microwave , 
> electric
> stove , hair dryer , curling irons , etc that I dont use anyway ,even 
> at
> home . I do need the propane for cooking heating and etc.
>     They give me some flexibility as far as campsites and I dont have 
> to
> smell or hear a generator in more natural settings beyond the extension
> cord . and once they are manufactured , they dont pollute the place .
> My old panels are mounted on a portable frame which is a hassle to move
> inside when traveling , plus it blew over and busted one of the two 
> panels
> .
> I did not like the looks of the frame permanently mounted on the roof 
> , so
> I bought these new ones .
>    As far as the math about amps ,watts , average sun hours I haven't
> figured it out yet , these are 64 watts per per panel x 2 panels. My 
> old
> rigid panels were 85 watts per panel x 2 panels which was more than 
> enough
> for me this summer even with the solid month of fog here and my bad 
> habit
> of falling asleep with the tv on . I suppose I am frugal otherwise 
> with my
> electric consumption , anyhow solar has enhanced my enjoyment of my
> trailers.
> Chris
>
>
> JSmith1805@xxxxxxxxxx.com wrote:
>
>> Question how many ampa do they produce under nprmal conditions?
>> Jim Smith
>>
>> -
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 15:47:35 -0500
From: dean <dean@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar

Please ReThink your 12 Volt refrig.  They just don't work and they will 
take your Batteries down
fast.
Stay with the Propane gas models   Don't take my word,  check with 
others on this too.
Dean

On Sunday, September 28, 2003, at 11:50  AM, Joann Wheatley wrote:

> Chris - could you describe how you installed the flexible panels in a 
> little more detail or maybe a picture? Do they just keep your 
> battery(s) charged and then you run stuff off the battery? I have a 
> 12v refrig on order and am still a little concerned that the generator 
> alone is not going to keep my Bubble's 12v battery (just one) charged 
> when not on shore power although I won't have a microwave, hair dryer 
> etc just lights and water pump on electric; no AC either.
> jw

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 16:00:36 -0700
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar

Thanks Dean but it's about 10 days too late. I ordered it by phone and 
MC and it is in transit as we speak. So, here will be some first hand 
mistake/knowledge in the making. I'm sure I've made some other weird 
choices: a 2-burner cast iron stove top (fishing shack), an on-demand 
water heater...Oh well, I also bought a Citroen in 1970 and have had 3 
British sports cars, I married a computer geek (that was 36 yrs ago and 
wildly successful), and other stuff like that. I don't know why I do it.
Jo Ann
On Sunday, September 28, 2003, at 01:47 PM, dean wrote:

> Please ReThink your 12 Volt refrig.  They just don't work and they 
> will take your Batteries down
> fast.
> Stay with the Propane gas models   Don't take my word,  check with 
> others on this too.
> Dean
>
> On Sunday, September 28, 2003, at 11:50  AM, Joann Wheatley wrote:
>
>> Chris - could you describe how you installed the flexible panels in a 
>> little more detail or maybe a picture? Do they just keep your 
>> battery(s) charged and then you run stuff off the battery? I have a 
>> 12v refrig on order and am still a little concerned that the 
>> generator alone is not going to keep my Bubble's 12v battery (just 
>> one) charged when not on shore power although I won't have a 
>> microwave, hair dryer etc just lights and water pump on electric; no 
>> AC either.
>> jw
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 18:18:49 -0500
From: dean <dean@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar

Heck!  I always thought the Citroen was on the cutting edge.
I was in France in about 1961 and liked to watch them bounce..  hi hi
Dean

On Sunday, September 28, 2003, at 06:00  PM, Joann Wheatley wrote:

> Thanks Dean but it's about 10 days too late. I ordered it by phone and 
> MC and it is in transit as we speak. So, here will be some first hand 
> mistake/knowledge in the making. I'm sure I've made some other weird 
> choices: a 2-burner cast iron stove top (fishing shack), an on-demand 
> water heater...Oh well, I also bought a Citroen in 1970 and have had 3 
> British sports cars, I married a computer geek (that was 36 yrs ago 
> and wildly successful), and other stuff like that. I don't know why I 
> do it.
> Jo Ann

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 19:36:19 -0400
From: "Scott Scheuermann" <s.l.scheuermann@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar

Chris, a quick search did not show a "stick on" solar panel. Do you have a
URL?

Scott
- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Elliott" <celliott@xxxxxxxxxx.com>

> I just got some new solar panels for my 63 , they are flexable and bonded
to
> bituthane (like ice and water shield , really sticky) which I am going to
stick
> on the whole streetside roof 10 ft. x 30" from the vents to the windows ,
> basically. Made by Unisolar and meant to stick on standing seam metal
roofs .

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 18:46:47 -0500
From: "Dan Childress" <daniel@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar

I have been looking for panels for my 69 caravel.  This sounds very
interesting.  Is there a wed site with information?
Dan
- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Elliott" <celliott@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 7:03 PM
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar


> I just got some new solar panels for my 63 , they are flexable and bonded
to
> bituthane (like ice and water shield , really sticky) which I am going to
stick
> on the whole streetside roof 10 ft. x 30" from the vents to the windows ,
> basically. Made by Unisolar and meant to stick on standing seam metal
roofs .
> I`ll let you all know how it turns out . I dont have room on the very top
> between the vents for rigid panels of any worthwhile wattage  and wasnt to
happy
> about a flat frame on a round roof anyway . I had engineered all sorts of
> complex frames in my head and then I found out about these which will
follow the
> curve . The best news is thats nearly 30sq ft I wont have to polish !
> Chris
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 00:37:58 -0400
From: Chris Elliott <celliott@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar

Dan And Scott ,
I ordered them thru
http://www.solarwindsnorthernlights.com/   , On the website they dont have info
on these particular panels , but if you mailed them I`m sure they could give you
info , or sell/install them .They are good guys . Unisolar makes the panel , I
dont know if they sell direct or not.
Chris
- ---------------------
Dan Childress wrote:

> I have been looking for panels for my 69 caravel.  This sounds very
> interesting.  Is there a wed site with information?
> Dan

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 01:31:37 -0400
From: Chris Elliott <celliott@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] solar

Hi Joann,
    Well I havent gotten them installed yet , just got delivered friday ,
still rolled up in the box . You know how the weather is here , cold  , and
damp, too ! Maybe it will be another expensive mistake ...I`ll let you know
when its done . Post a picture somewhere . .
    But heres how they work , there is a release paper on the back peel that
off and they stick on like mastic . I may rivit an aluminium strip on the
leading edge for wind resistance , but they seem pretty sticky , the
demonstration one I saw was stuck down hard to the metal roofing it was
mounted to .. The wires come out of the back , thru a thru hull fitting in
the skin , down to a charge controller (solar boost 2000)and to the battery`s
(two six volts in series ) which I run off . I will post a picture when I get
them on . There is a picture or two on hunters yahoo groups files under solar
caravel which is the system in my other trailer that shows a simlar setup and
how it works but those panels are different then these new ones .
   I think you will want more batterys to run the fridge on 12 volts . The
solar will certainly suppliment the generator , I dont know how many amp
hours a fridge uses , (I use propane) , but I hear its alot .you would have
to do the math to see how many panels needed to run it without generator .
multiple batteries give you a reserve for when the sun dosnt shine or you
cant run the generator ( quiet time in campgrounds ).
    Oh yeah , I forgot to mention these panels come in lengths to 20 ft for
those with longer trailers  , thats some serious wattage .
Chris
- --------------
Joann Wheatley wrote:

> Chris - could you describe how you installed the flexible panels in a
> little more detail or maybe a picture? Do they just keep your
> battery(s) charged and then you run stuff off the battery? I have a 12v
> refrig on order and am still a little concerned that the generator
> alone is not going to keep my Bubble's 12v battery (just one) charged

------------------------------

End of VAL Digest V1 #20
************************


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