solar install on 21

[sclifrickson]

I look forward to reading about Harvey’s development, and hope you will share [emoji106]

[Vermilye]

I just finished tilting the two Escape mounted panels on my 21. While I would have preferred to tilt them perpendicular to the length of the trailer, in order to do that I needed 2" aluminum hinges with at least a 1/4" removable hinge pin. I did find 2 1/2" hinges that will work, but will wait until I get back to Oswego & my better stash of tools to do the job.

Meanwhile, I used the Escape brackets, drilled out the rivets & replaced them with 1/4" bolts with nylon lock nuts. I did have to redrill the front panel so the pivot was closer to the end of the panel so it would clear the roof when tipped.

It will take a couple of days to see how much difference there is in output, but so far it appears to double the output when the batteries are down (or the inverter is running). The plan is to put away the portable panel except for shade.

[AllanEdie]

Thanks for the information Jon, and for the excellent pictures of your setup. So far, it seems that you are getting a substantial improvement.

Cheers,

Allan Edie

[Greg A]

Very cool, Jon.
Can't wait to walk through this with you at Quartzsite in Feb. Can you tilt both front to back/back to front or only the way you are showing in the pics?

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Greg A

Very cool, Jon.
Can't wait to walk through this with you at Quartzsite in Feb. Can you tilt both front to back/back to front or only the way you are showing in the pics?

The rear panel can go either way, depending on which bolt I use as a pivot. The front could tilt forward, however it would mean drilling some new holes in the frame closer to the front edge so the panel didn't hit the roof. I have better clearance from the AC tipping to the rear, so while here at Quartzite where I can park in any direction, I haven't drilled new holes for the front panel.

Again, this is temporary - I still want to tip side to side, using loose pin hinges that would let me tip either direction.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by jking1224

As for camping style, I intend for this to be a travel RV. While not full-timing it (although that could also happen), I intend to "long-time" in it. Rather than the hotel/condo/timeshare/rental car type lifestyle, use the RV. But rather than think it as "camping" which, to me, implies "roughing it" in one or more aspects, I'm simply living. As similar a lifestyle to my home as possible. That means air conditioning when its hot, heat when its cold, ice cubes and ice cream on demand, microwave oven, food in the fridge, flushing toilet, hot shower and all the gadgets of first world living, even if I am parked on a beach in Mexico for two months.

This is how I use my Escape, and it works pretty well for that. I think you'll enjoy yours.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

......... I still want to tip side to side, using loose pin hinges that would let me tip either direction.

Of course, the next thing is a gimbal mount and an auto tracker. I've been playing with a Raspberry Pi (Linux computer in a 3-3/4" x 2½"x1¼" box) that could do the whole thing for you + Sun sensors & a couple of servos!

[Mike Lewis]

If I modified my rooftop panel mounts to tilt, I guarantee that one day I'd forget to stow them flat before hitting the road. It's as certain as night follows day.

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Of course, the next thing is a gimbal mount and an auto tracker. I've been playing with a Raspberry Pi (Linux computer in a 3-3/4" x 2½"x1¼" box) that could do the whole thing for you + Sun sensors & a couple of servos!

You know, with a GPS add-on board and a couple of files with lat-long-calendar dates, you would not need the sensors, just use your location data and look up the absolute optimum angles and azimuths and point your panels. As Donna would say, "easy peasy". Well, maybe not so easy but what a challenge...

--
Alan

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

If I modified my rooftop panel mounts to tilt, I guarantee that one day I'd forget to stow them flat before hitting the road. It's as certain as night follows day.

I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached Mike. That's why I force myself to do a final walkaround. Saved me more than once. It's gotten to where my wife will ask, as I enter the truck, "did you do your walkaround?"

[padlin]

Deb follows me around when I do mine, she still catches things I miss.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached Mike. That's why I force myself to do a final walkaround. Saved me more than once. It's gotten to where my wife will ask, as I enter the truck, "did you do your walkaround?"

I do a walk-around as well, on the inside back to front, then I circle the outside. The problem for me is that being on the roof, the panel mounts are outside of my field of vision unless I think to look up. So I'm bound to screw up eventually. I can tell if my antennas are down by looking at their bottom sections, so this helps. When leaving the Ft. Caspar RV park in Casper, WY I saw this sign:

ARE YOUR STEP UP?
ARE YOUR ANTENNAS DOWN?

Good idea.

[h2owmn]

I once saw a set of those snap bracelets that you can put on the steering wheel for reminders...unplug, refrigerator off, chocks, etc.... wish I had bought them then.

[Donna D.]

Look UP, look DOWN, look ALL around.... even on top of the picnic table.

There are only two times I want to be left alone. First is when I'm parking and setting up. The second is when I'm getting ready to leave. Either time, $hit happens.

In 17 years of towing an all-molded-towable, I've never left and had something still hooked up (electric) or left down (stabilizers, jack). BUT twice, I've pulled out and realized going down the road I had forgotten to lower the vent lid. Soonest place to pull over, that was taken care of and the lid hadn't blown off (whew).

Both conditions, it's not about speed, it's about making certain all the small details have been completed.

[float5]

After thinking we are done with the walk-around, we pull out and then walk back and walk the site. Even with that, once in a while I forget the mirrors but then I see I need them!

[Iowa Dave]

From my observation the most often left behind item is a single chock that was behind the back tandem ( no drive over so no thump. My most often item left behind, Dog cable on the picnic table leg. 3 times in 4 years. Went back twice, once I was 40 miles down the road. New cable at the next stop. I do not like to be interrupted when I’m hitching up. We all make mistakes. Left Rita behind in a Canadian Gas station in Quebec once. I was wishing she had known French swear words because I couldn’t have understood them.
Dave

[gbaglo]

Back in the tent camping days, we had a family next to us pack up and leave the kid's huge collection of "My Little Pony" in the sand box. It was the highlight of my daughter's camping experience.
Wouldn't have wanted to be that dad, asked to turn around six hours later.
They didn't come back.

[Iowa Dave]

I see a few water bottles left behind too. In Nevada last summer we were next to a family with a son who was about 10 or 12. Everybody was willing to help with the camp chores but him. As they started to leave, the Dad asked everyone if they had all their stuff in the car. Sullen kid did not answer till asked twice. I let them get even with our site and then advised dad the boys water bottle was on the table. Enjoyed the chewing out the kid got as they motored away. If you think campers leave a lot behind you ought to manage the lost and found for five outdoor swimming pools for three months each summer or from a 38 field soccer complex for a season. Unbelievable.
Iowa “Holiday Inn has towels just like yours” Dave

[gbaglo]

Friend worked lost and found at local ski hill. Dozens of $500 jackets and other expensive gear was left behind and never claimed.

[h2owmn]

I found wrapped around a picnic table leg at Lake Tahoe a really heavy duty combination bike lock cable--with the dials set at the correct combination. May be my best find ever.