|
|
06-19-2017, 04:15 PM
|
#161
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
|
We just spent 5 nights recently north of Flagstaff, AZ above 9000' with dry campsites. Only partial sun during the day for maybe 4-6 hours and it rained for 2 of the 5 days which cut down the 4-6 hours some. There were four of us, recharging phones/devices, lights, fridge, some furnace overnight. We have the 160W factory install w/twin 6v. Batteries never were down at any level of concern, and were full by late afternoon every day. Most of our usage was 10 - 14ah per day, but one day we replaced 21ah.
For us, after a year and a half and several months of dry camping, haven't seen any need for carrying around a portable panel. When the kids leave for college and we're down to just two of us, the need will be even less.
|
|
|
06-19-2017, 04:40 PM
|
#162
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patandlinda
Thick cable lock to trailer frame . Put away at night . Pat
|
Would take 30 seconds to saw through the light aluminum frame on my portable solar.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
|
|
|
06-19-2017, 05:00 PM
|
#163
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
Would take 30 seconds to saw through the light aluminum frame on my portable solar.
|
Usually never leave out if for some reason I'm nor around . Helps to talk to fellow campers and make friends . They will watch out for you. The cable is for someone thinking they can just walk off . Pat
|
|
|
06-19-2017, 05:06 PM
|
#164
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A
We just spent 5 nights recently north of Flagstaff, AZ above 9000' with dry campsites. Only partial sun during the day for maybe 4-6 hours and it rained for 2 of the 5 days which cut down the 4-6 hours some. There were four of us, recharging phones/devices, lights, fridge, some furnace overnight. We have the 160W factory install w/twin 6v. Batteries never were down at any level of concern, and were full by late afternoon every day. Most of our usage was 10 - 14ah per day, but one day we replaced 21ah.
For us, after a year and a half and several months of dry camping, haven't seen any need for carrying around a portable panel. When the kids leave for college and we're down to just two of us, the need will be even less.
|
Greg last camping trip sun was only out for a little while 2 of the 5 days . It was cold and needed heater . Had generator alsoif needed . Our electrical use was very little . In fact last day didn't put panel out and just driving home we were charged by the time we got home . Pat
|
|
|
06-19-2017, 05:23 PM
|
#165
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by craiginpetaluma
Remember . I belive the panel failures that were reported here was that the bond was good from the roof to the brackets but the gelcoat separated causing the problem.
|
On our 2013 Escape the panels were poorly installed. Pisspoor craftsmanship. The failures have been a result of one side of the panels having poor adhesion resulting in the opposite pulling off the gel coat under stress and loss of the panel. Do not believe that side winds are the issue.
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
|
|
|
06-19-2017, 05:40 PM
|
#166
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by craiginpetaluma
Remember . I belive the panel failures that were reported here was that the bond was good from the roof to the brackets but the gelcoat separated causing the problem.
|
I understood that gelcoat came off with an epoxied panel. A VHB panel came off but don't know if we heard that gelcoat came off with it.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
|
|
|
06-19-2017, 07:15 PM
|
#167
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Area 51, New Mexico
Trailer: pondering.....
Posts: 728
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jubal
On our 2013 Escape the panels were poorly installed. Pisspoor craftsmanship. The failures have been a result of one side of the panels having poor adhesion resulting in the opposite pulling off the gel coat under stress and loss of the panel. Do not believe that side winds are the issue.
|
sorry to hear that....IMHO always thought the factory solar install was a bit iffy..especially after seeing recent pics....
hire a pro or DIY (Design It Yourself) if you think you can do a safe job of it.......some owners have come up with interesting solutions, but the most important thing is to make sure whatever you do doesn't hit the person following you on the road.
|
|
|
06-19-2017, 09:04 PM
|
#168
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by craiginpetaluma
..... Remember . I belive the panel failures that were reported here was that the bond was good from the roof to the brackets but the gelcoat separated causing the problem.
|
From Yachtsurvey.com: " Fiberglass laminates, because they're not a rigidly controlled, machine made substance, are subject to human error and variance in their uniformity. Neither the thickness nor the quality of the lamination are subject to much control. This means that while the same laminating schedule may be maintained throughout a model line, the resultant strength of fiberglass hulls can vary widely from boat to boat. Tests have shown that laminate strength on nominally "good" laminates can easily vary by +/-33%. By "good" it is meant that the laminate has no major defects, but rather simply variance in resin/glass ratios. This also explains why one of an apparently same series of hulls fails while others don't. All surveyors who are serious students of hull failures have encountered this anomaly that often seems to defy explanation."
Since it is an art, it stands to reason that some trailers are going to have some differences in quality. Mine has a "print through" around the door frame. Others report "spider cracking". This is a reality of FG trailers.
Marine Surveying : Hull Design Defects - Hull Failure Part II - Boats and Yachts Surveys
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|