> On Mar 13, 2012, at 7:09 PM, jtcrow@... wrote:
>
> Hey Ya'll, I'm a newbie with a'63 Globe Trotter project trailer. I
> don't think the one battery it has will last very long while
> boondocking. Are there any thoughts/advice on a small solar
> collector for the Trotter's topside to keep me charged up?
> Hoping to hear,
> Jim
Hi Jim,
Just for perspective, here are four OLD posts of mine from bygone
days - ancient history so to speak. They might help you with the
bigger picture - my posts being the minimalist perspective without
benefit of 2012 knowledge and experience. But >>> by all means, go
with the best present day information.
Solar collectors can last forever, so do it right the first time ----
says me who started out not knowing anything about solar, but kept
learning and applying it to each different Airstream we acquired.
More than 20 years ago, our first solar panels were purchased from
Atlantic Refinery (out of business now). They told me the panels had
been in use for 30 years and were only worth something to a hobbyist.
I qualified as a hobbyist. Ironically, those two solar panels are
still keeping two batteries fully charged in our 1967 22' Airstream
-- today -- right this very minute. My only maintenance is a Windex
bottle and a cloth.
http://www.mail-archive.com/vaclist@airstream.net/msg09074.html
Scroll down about midway on the index page and you'll see my four
posts (#3 - #2 - #4 & #1). You might want to read them in order (1 -
2 - 3 - 4). <grin>
Within this website are other articles I've written on different
aspects of Airstreaming. I'm not the only Airstreamer who contributed
to this website. I believe you'll find a lot of good ideas there.
-----------------
But back to the topic of solar collectors. Our "fleet of Airstreams"
is finally down to two. Our '89 32' has four solar panels, two
batteries and an Inverter. Our '67 22' has two panels, two batteries
and an Inverter. All systems are fully operational on both
Airstreams. They are the Cat's meow when it comes to providing
electrical independence.
On hindsight, filling our 1989 32' Excella's roof real estate with as
many panels as would fit was one of my rare but smarter decisions. At
the time, I thought it was overkill, but "AJ" was at the Sarasota
Rally with his panels; the weather was gorgeous; I had watched him
install four panels on another RV; I had the money; and it was time
to make my solar dreams come true. And that was that - my dreams came
true.
I may do the same with our 3/4 ton Van's long wide roof. It has two
batteries under the hood already. When we go to the Southwest next
time for three winter months, the Van's solar panels will either -
already be installed - or I'll have it done at Noel Kirkby's place in
Scottsdale, AZ -- or at the Gem Rally in Quartzite, AZ - or I'll
check with Tony Turner for suggestions based on his latest experiences.
------------------------- what else?
If you are interested in a summary of our "boondocking" experiences
as enhanced by solar panels, read on:
(05/13/06) >> Terry's Tips
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f382/rv-parking-at-bargain-
prices-22701.html
------------------------- or these OLD posts about experiences with
solar and "other stuff" that worked well for us.
Here's a random sample.
Year 1999
(12/15/99) >> A new trailer
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/1999_12/msg00137.html
(12/20/99) >> North to Alaska
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/1999_12/msg00218.html
(12/22/99) >> help!!!
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/1999_12/msg00242.html
Year 2000
(01/31/00) >> 14 x 26 Vent Covers
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2000_01/msg00253.html
(12/08/00) >> Ceramic Heaters
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2000_12/msg00306.html
(12/18/00) >> Solar how to?
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/1999_12/msg00042.html
Year 2001
(01/31/01) >> Winter camping
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_01/msg00740.html
(03/12/01) >> Oasis RV
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg00951.html
--------------------
If caravanning is of interest to you - read on. While I was digging
around in the archives, I found posts from one of our caravans. Some
of the ideas may be useful to you.
(02/19/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_02/msg00749.html
(02/20/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_02/msg00752.html
(02/21/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_02/msg00751.html
(02/22/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_02/msg00781.html
(02/23/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_02/msg00783.html
(02/24/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg00550.html
(02/25/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg00551.html
(02/26/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg00553.html
(02/27/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg00552.html
(02/28/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg00554.html
(3/01/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg00932.html
(03/02/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg00978.html
(03/03/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg00979.html
(03/04/010 >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg01046.html
(03/05/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg01047.html
(03/06/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg01216.html
(03/07/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg01217.html
(03/08/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg01218.html
(03/09/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg01241.html
(03/10/01) >> Exploring East and West of the Colorado River Caravan
http://tompatterson.com/VAC/Archives/2001_03/msg01242.html
Jim, I know this covers more than you asked, but your question
inspired me to dig around in Tom Patterson's archives. Once I found
how easy it was to find my old posts, I collected a sample - and now
you have them.
I double checked all the website addresses an hour ago and each
worked perfectly. They should work for you, too. If clicking them
doesn't work for you, try using the old "copy and paste" routine.
That usually works for me. If it doesn't, change browser's and try
again. Almost always, I can get a website to display for me - if it
worked for someone else within the last day or two.
Terry
PS - Wally Byam said it:
"Don't stop. Keep right on going. Hitch up your trailer and go to
Canada or down to Old Mexico. Head for Europe, if you can afford it,
or go to the Mardi Gras. Go someplace you've heard about, where you
can fish or hunt or collect rocks or just look up at the sky. Find
out what's at the end of some country road. Go see what's over the
next hill, and the one after that, and the one after that."
------------------------------------
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