Camper Shell Solar

[ewarnerusa]

Have you had your system out in the wild yet?
We finally got a camp trip in, 4 nights out on beautiful Hope Creek. Solar worked terrific, furnace every night as temps dipped low every night. 12V fan running all day to circulate air. Not much for inverted a/c use except recharging some lithium hand tool batteries. Typical gadget battery recharging as well.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/yeLwo5a9Nqkdmpgk9

[Old_Man]

Yippee!!! My battery is in and i have cables ordered for charger to battery. Bizarre, the place I found the cables was HOME DEPOT!!! Made by Grape Solar, but no one else had 10AWG with bare wire on one end and ring terminals on the other, and because I'm old and this will be my ONLY solar experience, I don't intend to spend $150 for a crimping tool when I can get cables for $20.

Once I get my cables, I'll set everythiung up. Looking for a plywood scrap to make a mounting board for the electronics.

[Old_Man]

I don't want to clog up your thread with my stuff, but I wanted to check in as requested. I installed my new HQST 190 watt panel this weekend. I used the Z brackets from HQST as well and made sure to hit a roof truss where I could. Applied Dicor sealant liberally. Due to sun angle I couldn't confirm that it delivered the rated max current, but I measured over 6 amps with a morning low sun angle. Travel trailer is parked at home and I was running a 300 watt load on the inverter to ensure that there was demand for full solar output. I'm pleased so far. Next step is to tidy up the cables on the roof with some split wire loom.

Please feel free to clog it up as much as you want. More info is good, less info is bad. Eventually we CAN compare notes. I look forward to that.

[ewarnerusa]

ewarnerusa[/B] View Post
I just ordered a panel from HQST myself as part of my own upgrade project. We'll have to compare notes on how the purchase went and how they perform.

Yes, lets. I'll get mine sometime this evening, and leave it in the shipping box until it's ready for deployment....

I don't want to clog up your thread with my stuff, but I wanted to check in as requested. I installed my new HQST 190 watt panel this weekend. I used the Z brackets from HQST as well and made sure to hit a roof truss where I could. Applied Dicor sealant liberally. Due to sun angle I couldn't confirm that it delivered the rated max current, but I measured over 6 amps with a morning low sun angle. Travel trailer is parked at home and I was running a 300 watt load on the inverter to ensure that there was demand for full solar output. I'm pleased so far. Next step is to tidy up the cables on the roof with some split wire loom.

[Old_Man]

Opened the panel's carry box (a POS box, will upgrade to a fabric carry case), cardboard will be destroyed after the first trip, so no cardboard boxes. Panel arrived intact, no damage. Had to wait until everyone else (partner and three cats) went to bed and I kept the place dark but I was able to determine, no damage.

Won't open the box again until the case arrives. Still waiting on a battery.

[Old_Man]

Great. Let us know how it all works out for you.

Sure will!!!

[Old_Man]

I just ordered a panel from HQST myself as part of my own upgrade project. We'll have to compare notes on how the purchase went and how they perform.

Yes, lets. I'll get mine sometime this evening, and leave it in the shipping box until it's ready for deployment.

But this buy (from EBAY) has gone swimmingly. Out for delivery - today, by 1900. Buying HQST (after the Dokio fiasco) has been joyful. With a little luck and work from me, it'll be ready for my summer fishing trip, starting around memorial day and i expect to be out on the fishing trail in NW Nevada by early june. Anyone wanna go?

Edit: the panel is here.

[ewarnerusa]

Got screwed by Amazon on a Dokio panel so: closed Amazon account (after 24 years~!!!) 100W panel, hope it'll charge the 50AH...HQST 100W nearby!!

I just ordered a panel from HQST myself as part of my own upgrade project. We'll have to compare notes on how the purchase went and how they perform.

[SunEagle]

It'll do that!

Great. Let us know how it all works out for you.

[Old_Man]

If that 100w panel has an current output of about 5 amps then it should be able to charge a 50Ah battery

It'll do that!

[SunEagle]

Got screwed by Amazon on a Dokio panel so: closed Amazon account (after 24 years~!!!) 100W panel, hope it'll charge the 50AH...HQST 100W nearby!!

If that 100w panel has an current output of about 5 amps then it should be able to charge a 50Ah battery

[Old_Man]

Got screwed by Amazon on a Dokio panel so: closed Amazon account (after 24 years~!!!) 100W panel, hope it'll charge the 50AH...HQST 100W nearby!!

[SunEagle]

Look, I can't tell you what to do, you're the moderator, I'm not, but...I'm not afraid to push back, as you've read. So, please, BTFO, ok?

Please calm down. I am trying to help people here. If you don't like my comments then don't read them.

[Old_Man]

Look, I can't tell you what to do, you're the moderator, I'm not, but...I'm not afraid to push back, as you've read. So, please, BTFO, ok?

[SunEagle]

No, you seem to get off on bullying people into your POV. Back the F off, man, you're not making any friends.

I am not here to make friends but to help those that buy something before they know why. If what I am saying bothers you then sorry that is who I am.