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02-20-2013, 03:08 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
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Ladybug goes solar!
On Monday February 18 the wonderful folks at Escape installed a GoPower Solar RV-95 on our Escape 13. The installation was done very neatly and professionally.
We decided on this modification to allow us to do more dry camping, since most provincial campsites in BC do not have electrical hookups. While we have a small generator which we have used, it does disturb the tranquility of camping. We were impressed with the number of Escape owners who have made the choice to "go solar" and how happy they have been with their decision.
__________________
Brian
2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
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02-20-2013, 03:13 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Was the trailer pre-wired for this install?
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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02-20-2013, 03:18 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2012 Escape 15 A
Posts: 1,505
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Looks great - love your parking spot .
__________________
All things in life are easier to swallow with a good cup of tea .....
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02-20-2013, 03:29 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 17B Escape
Posts: 766
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I called about the same thing while you were there getting yours done.
Ours is going to be done on March 6th...Partially because we are planning a trip to Yosemite and are intending on being there for 6 nights and no services..
And with BC parks having no services, no worries about the furnace or water pump--we have LED lights already.
Now, where is the monitor located and do I have to empty cabinets to make it easier for them?
Glen, we aren't pre-wired for this as our trailer is older than yours.
Retirement $$ aren't going to accommodate a new trailer--so this one will be decked out as best I can do-another new year- another new mod!!
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Anna-Marie
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02-20-2013, 03:33 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
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baglo:
No, Ladybug was not prewired for solar. The wiring was run through the cupboards on the driver side ceiling then down to the front driver side bench seat where the charge controller was installed. The installation was done so neatly that it is hard to see any evidence of it being done.
__________________
Brian
2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
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02-20-2013, 03:41 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
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Anna-Marie:
On our trailer the charge controller was installed on the side of the front driver side bench seat. If your trailer has sufficient flat space between the doors for the upper cupboards it could be installed there. (There was not enough room there on our trailer.)
Yes, we needed to remove everything from the upper cupboards on the driver side and from the front driver side bench seat for the installation of the wiring. I think when you deliver the trailer the people at Escape will discuss the best solution for your trailer.
__________________
Brian
2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
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02-20-2013, 04:01 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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OK. And the big one. What did it cost?
Also, are you on twin 6V?
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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02-20-2013, 04:36 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
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baglo
The cost was the same as the published cost on Escape's website ($850). Less than the cost of buying a generator, which might have been another alternative. We have a small Honda generator which I bought used, but when we tried it last year we found it was noisy, and a new generator would be just as noisy, according to the specs.
No, we don't have two 6 volt batteries, just a single 12 volt battery. We'll see whether this is sufficient once we begin to use it. We were able to go at least 2 days without recharging in previous trips, so having solar should extend this time. Factors:
1. how much sun? Depends on weather, shade, time of year. Have to learn to select a sunny campsite and live with the sun we have been given.
2. how much load? Depends on demand for power -- we now have all LED lights, need power for fan, water pump, possibly furnace, recharging computer and camera batteries. (We can charge these also while driving our car.) I think our power demands are pretty modest. I have ordered a 300 watt inverter which should be adequate for our alternating current needs.
3. which battery? Our three year old 12 volt is a group 27 rated at 96 Amp-hr of storage. A group 29 is rated at 128 Amp-hr and is about the same size as a group 27, though heavier (65 pounds vs 50 pounds).
4. how long in a location? We also can charge our battery while towing from one location to another, so don't need to depend 100% on solar power.
5. when need power? The 96 watt solar panel we have is the same as the one people have with twin 6 volt batteries. I would guess the logical time to charge computer and camera batteries would be when the solar panel is producing maximum output.
6. how big is big enough? We bought a 13 foot trailer with the idea of minimizing our footprint, and have found it was big enough for our needs. Simplify!
__________________
Brian
2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
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02-20-2013, 07:01 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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So, think about it this way. $850 is about 25 nights in a full service campground ( likely fewer ). You done good.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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02-20-2013, 08:11 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
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baglo
I guess you can justify your generator based on the same calculation, so we both come out winners! Not easy to do these days!
I have noticed there is a lot to learn to master the craft of equipping and running our trailers. With solar you need to think about whether you need an inverter, what type of inverter, what size, how to wire it, how to supply alternating current power depending on whether you are hooked up to a power supply or running on solar.
There are a many very helpful members who have done the hard work of figuring this out. Jon Vermilye and Barry Justice have both given needed help.
I should mention an excellent thread you started is here: http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9...using-212.html
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Brian
2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
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03-04-2013, 07:42 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
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Today I installed a 300 watt inverter which will supply 110 volt 60 cycle power. I installed it under the front driver side bench seat.
Higher resolution version here: Inverter installed! | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
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Brian
2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
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04-04-2013, 10:57 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
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First Trial of Our Solar Installation
This week we camped for three days at Fort Casey State Park on Whidbey Island and had the first trial of our new solar installation.
Ladybug at Fort Casey State Park | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
I monitored the performance with our new Trimetric TM-2025-RV.
Our single 12 volt battery was fully charged on arrival. The overnight temperatures were about 8 deg. C (46 deg. F) and we used our propane furnace as well as the water pump and LED lights. In the mornings the Trimetric registered 96 - 97% charged. By noon it was reading 100% charged. Fort Casey has little shade. There was sun or bright cloud on all days.
I'm happy with the performance of all the components of the system.
__________________
Brian
2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
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04-04-2013, 11:28 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Port Moody, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 19' Escape
Posts: 70
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Hi Brian....How did you like Fort Casey ? Did you need reservations ? We are seeking out state parks to try. We used to tent camp at Larabee 30 years ago but drove through there 2 weeks ago and it is rather bleak looking now. Do you recommend Fort Casey ?
Cheers Janet
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Janet
we are the Worth's and this is our little fort....Fort Worth
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04-04-2013, 11:32 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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Brain, very nice setup you have and I'm glad it working out well while actually camping. I have solar as well and like the freedom it gives you. Enjoy!
Steve
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04-04-2013, 11:40 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
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Fort Casey
The good points of Fort Casey State Park:
1. it is in the middle of Whidbey Island which has many interesting things to see
2. it is right at the ferry terminal to Port Townsend, a wonderful place to visit
3. not much shade and opportunity for full sun so good for testing solar systems!
4. walking distance from Fort Casey and Admiralty Head lighthouse
5. clean, well maintained park with some serviced sites
6. clear views of ferry and freighter traffic
7. no reservations needed in off season
Things that some people may not like:
1. park is small so you are close to your neighbours
2. there is no protection from sun and wind, might be a problem at times
3. no reservations means it is "first come first served" in off season, so arrive early!
__________________
Brian
2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
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04-04-2013, 11:50 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotfishtacos
Brain, very nice setup you have and I'm glad it working out well while actually camping. I have solar as well and like the freedom it gives you. Enjoy!
Steve
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Steve:
You are right about freedom! Not knowing how our solar would perform we arrived at Fort Case prepared to camp with or without hookups. As it turned out this was spring break in this part of Washington State and all the serviced sites were occupied by large RVs. It was cold and we needed to use our furnace, so the solar setup came through wonderfully! There are many campgrounds in our part of the world that have no serviced sites. In some campgrounds the sites with the best views have no power or water, so it is great to be able to manage without hookups! It is also nice not having to depend on a generator.
__________________
Brian
2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
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04-04-2013, 11:53 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Forecast for this weekend ( according to Weather Network ) is 120mm of rain.
Are you gonna test the solar and compare?
Might want to stay home and do it there.
baglo
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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04-05-2013, 12:06 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Spruce Grove, Alberta
Trailer: 2009 17B - Escape Pod
Posts: 148
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The forecast in Alberta is 15 cm. of snow, so I think my solar panel may not do well!
__________________
Dave
2009 Escape 17B
2010 Toyota Highlander
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04-05-2013, 12:08 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
Forecast for this weekend ( according to Weather Network ) is 120mm of rain.
Are you gonna test the solar and compare?
Might want to stay home and do it there.
baglo
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baglo
I already know that even when it is sunny out our trailer pad at home is in shade, so this test will not be necessary.
__________________
Brian
2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
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04-05-2013, 12:08 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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Brian, another advantage to solar we learned is that the shaded sites are most popular and the one's we like for solar are often open when we want to camp.
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