tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28837228.post4301504742073221127..comments2024-03-07T05:24:52.798-05:00Comments on I'm Always Mentally on Vacation: I Continue To Get GreenReggie Hunnicutthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16225585623322034210noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28837228.post-64796244128489487582007-06-12T12:41:00.000-04:002007-06-12T12:41:00.000-04:00Welcome to the world of alternative energy Reggie!...Welcome to the world of alternative energy Reggie!<BR/><BR/>Uhhh... I don't mean to rain on your parade or err... cloud over your PV panels, but I'm not sure 5 watts is going to help you much. It would probably be fine for the trickle charge idea for the jeep, just to keep the charge from dissipating. But if the on-board electronics in your RV would drain the battery in two days, I don't think 5 watts is going to put a dent in that. A five watt panel is going to give you 5 watts per hour (in 100% sunlight and ideal conditions). So, even in perfect conditions with no line loss (which doesn't happen in real life, there is always some loss) 8 hours of direct sunlight would give you enough power to burn a 40 watt bulb for one hour :( probably not enough to keep your beer cold.<BR/><BR/>Now the system melackey linked to above looks really good. I'm sure there's tons of space on your RV roof. You can put it to work, but its going to require a couple 75, 115, or 175 watt panels and a bank of batteries. But it'll meet all of your electric needs for extended storage and reduce your generator needs when you're RVing!Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01284109771398630099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28837228.post-40028981452037946042007-06-12T10:19:00.000-04:002007-06-12T10:19:00.000-04:00http://vagabonders-supreme.net/sunny.htmThis guy i...http://vagabonders-supreme.net/sunny.htm<BR/><BR/>This guy is a wealth of knowledge about solar electric and RV's. Quite a bit larger capacity than what you are looking at, but I would imagine the general idea is the same. Send him an e-mail if you have any questions - he get's a kick out of sharing his knowledge and tips (and mistakes) with others. He dumped his Onan and is now completely solar. There is also a link at the bottom for his blog.MELackeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10605873535788111598noreply@blogger.com