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06-23-2015, 12:06 AM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 755
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There are a couple of nice "suitcase" units out there that fold up compactly and don't take up a lot of room. When I had a pop-up I used two portable panels together, and never lost them to thieves. Maybe I was lucky. As I recall, my biggest problem was keeping them oriented properly to the moving sun.
__________________
2019 Tundra CrewMax Limited TRD 4WD
2014 Escape 19
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06-23-2015, 12:37 AM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
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I bought the suitcase unit with 2 panels and an aluminum carrying case. Looked great but I didn't realize how heavy it was. Something like 35 lbs! Zamp Solar has a great set up with a lightweight moulded case. It's on my wish list.
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06-23-2015, 07:49 AM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,879
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I have a suitcase model, two panels that fold together and make an easy carry of something pretty heavy. Mine are the 120 watt models from solarblvd.com and do well keeping things charged. What I have found is this panel fits nicely in the wardrobe closet of our 21 after raising the clothes bar 1/2 an inch.
One discovery on solar charging is that you cannot let it get too low. We are boondocking for a solid two weeks, during that time I am charging every day I can. Weak sun angle, lots of shade, cloudy skies all combine to make it necessary to keep things topped off.
In my case a fixed panel on the roof would not work due to the shade, so my take is you need to have both options of fixed and portable or all portable.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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08-02-2015, 08:45 AM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Allendale, New Jersey
Trailer: 19' towed by a 4Runner
Posts: 251
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These portable units, where does one store them while traveling? I pick up the 19 on the 19th. I had it prewired for solar, but now I wonder if I should have sprung for the rooftop. I wonder if adding it now is considered a change on the build or is just an addition?
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08-02-2015, 10:38 AM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,879
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On my 19 I had a single panel, not a foldable, and built a shelf to suspend the unit under the bed. With the foldable unit I now have it would be easy to stow the unit in the accompanying padded case and slide it under the bed. That area is very large and it maybe necessar to have other items stored around it to keep from moving. Putting a thin piece of plywood inside the carring case would even allow some storage on top of the panel.
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08-02-2015, 11:09 AM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: 2015 17B Sold 5/2016
Posts: 343
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GRINGOandTICA
These portable units, where does one store them while traveling? I pick up the 19 on the 19th. I had it prewired for solar, but now I wonder if I should have sprung for the rooftop. I wonder if adding it now is considered a change on the build or is just an addition?
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Give 'em a call first thing tomorrow, ya never know if ya don't ask.
__________________
Pat
Life is Good
When "Escaping Reality" Sold 5/2016
2012 4Runner
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08-02-2015, 12:53 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 17B Escape
Posts: 766
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Don't call tomorrow--it's BC Day here---Hopefully they are taking the day off, for some much deserved R & R.
__________________
Anna-Marie
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08-02-2015, 01:16 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Medford, Oregon
Trailer: "Olaf" 2015 21'..... 2015 Tundra CrewMax
Posts: 109
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GRINGOandTICA
I pick up the 19 on the 19th. I had it prewired for solar, but now I wonder if I should have sprung for the rooftop. I wonder if adding it now is considered a change on the build or is just an addition?
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It's definitely too late to have it added to the normal production process as solar panels are now being mounted very early in the construction process since they switched to bolt through mounting. My very first production pics I received of the bare shell already had the panel attached and my completion date is 8/24.
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08-02-2015, 02:05 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T&R
It's definitely too late to have it added to the normal production process as solar panels are now being mounted very early in the construction process since they switched to bolt through mounting. My very first production pics I received of the bare shell already had the panel attached and my completion date is 8/24.
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I just checked our first build picture of which the trailer is just an empty shell, and the solar panel is already up there. The tail lights were next. Our completion date is 8/25. Loren
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08-02-2015, 02:37 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,097
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If I were ordering a trailer today I would ask ETI if they would install two of their 150W panels on its roof. I believe they will-- I think someone on the forum has that configuration.
Until recently I had 195W of roof-mounted solar power. It was fine for summer, but in the fall and early spring I discovered that this wasn't enough to fully charge my two 6V batteries. I assume this is because of the drain due to the furnace fan and the fact that the sun is lower in the sky then.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
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08-02-2015, 02:38 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Allendale, New Jersey
Trailer: 19' towed by a 4Runner
Posts: 251
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T&R
It's definitely too late to have it added to the normal production process as solar panels are now being mounted very early in the construction process since they switched to bolt through mounting. My very first production pics I received of the bare shell already had the panel attached and my completion date is 8/24.
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Noticed that too. Probably just go the portable route when I feel the need.
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08-02-2015, 04:52 PM
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#32
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis
....in the fall and early spring I discovered that this wasn't enough to fully charge my two 6V batteries. I assume this is because of the drain due to the furnace fan and the fact that the sun is lower in the sky then.
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Yep. Photovoltaic cells produce way less power when the sun is at a low angle to the panel. They like high noon in summer. If I were designing a roof mounted solar system from scratch, I'd probably go with something similar to what Steve (hotfishtacos) did - tiltable panels so the sun's angle is more direct. Makes a huge difference in the power produced.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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08-02-2015, 05:45 PM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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I've been told to figure 50% power loss summer vs winter with a flat mount panel. Put another way, you need twice the panel surface come winter.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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08-02-2015, 06:10 PM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: ESCAPE #3 COMING - 19 FT
Posts: 277
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I have 2 panels coming on my 5.0ta. It will be interesting to see how it will recharge in spring and fall, especially in blm lands in winter.
ken
__________________
ESCAPE #3, 19FT ON ORDER
TV - NOT YET, THINKING RIDGELINE OR F150
KEN AND DIANA, CALGARY
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08-02-2015, 06:47 PM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kvermeulen
I have 2 panels coming on my 5.0ta. It will be interesting to see how it will recharge in spring and fall, especially in blm lands in winter.
ken
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Here's a calculator to play with that you may find interesting.
Solar Irradiance - calculate the solar energy available on your site
Select the location, you can try the different panel angles to see how much you lose or gain throughout the year. Here's flat mount panels and in Phoenix.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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08-02-2015, 07:29 PM
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#36
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Solar: Roof or Portable ... why not both...
So yeah, using that calculator, there's more than a 50% drop in output during some winter months, even in a lower latitude like the desert southwest US where the sun's angle is higher.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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08-02-2015, 08:57 PM
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#37
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: 2015 17B Sold 5/2016
Posts: 343
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OneOleMan
Give 'em a call first thing tomorrow, ya never know if ya don't ask.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amirie
Don't call tomorrow--it's BC Day here---Hopefully they are taking the day off, for some much deserved R & R.
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Ooops
__________________
Pat
Life is Good
When "Escaping Reality" Sold 5/2016
2012 4Runner
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08-02-2015, 09:00 PM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
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I have both. 195 watts on the roof, and a Solar Blvd 160 watt folding panel in the back of the RAV4. While the roof panels keep up with me in the summer, even after a few not so sunny days, the portable is useful when I'm parked in the shade.
On the other hand, with just the portable panel you don't get any charging while traveling, or unless you are willing to leave it out while away from the trailer, and when you are there you usually have to keep moving it to keep out of the shadows & aligned with the sun. There is an advantage to having both.
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08-02-2015, 09:11 PM
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#39
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Jeromesville, Ohio
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21' pulled with 2014 Silverado Crewcab
Posts: 853
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vermilye
I have both. 195 watts on the roof, and a Solar Blvd 160 watt folding panel in the back of the RAV4. While the roof panels keep up with me in the summer, even after a few not so sunny days, the portable is useful when I'm parked in the shade.
On the other hand, with just the portable panel you don't get any charging while traveling, or unless you are willing to leave it out while away from the trailer, and when you are there you usually have to keep moving it to keep out of the shadows & aligned with the sun. There is an advantage to having both.
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Jon,
How is running multiple panels working out? Are all 3 panels paralleled on your Gopower controller? Do I understand correctly that you need to select additional panels to be of similar voltage output. Thanks.
__________________
Carl,
"Isn't it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation?"
Zig Ziglar
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08-02-2015, 09:54 PM
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#40
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,097
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
Yep. Photovoltaic cells produce way less power when the sun is at a low angle to the panel. They like high noon in summer. If I were designing a roof mounted solar system from scratch, I'd probably go with something similar to what Steve (hotfishtacos) did - tiltable panels so the sun's angle is more direct. Makes a huge difference in the power produced.
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I currently have three roof-mounted panels; the 95W panel from ETI and two panels installed by a vendor- 160W and 100W. The vendor offered to use tiltable mounts but I declined, since I'm sure that sooner or later I'd forget to stow the panels correctly before departure, then lose them when driving down the road.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
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