my new solar panel

[2020]

My new solar panel arrived today. Zamp 200W external panel with controller. The controller comes wired with the male SAE plug so it plugs right in to the female plug on the rear wall of my Grandby. Smart controller runs itself - just choose your battery type and go. The default setting is AGM. I am now officially off the grid.

http://thesolarstore.com/zamp-solar-200w-deluxe-portable-foldable-solar-panel-charge-controller-zs-200-gen-p-1364.html

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Cool! Sounds like you have it under control!

 

[2020]

Yes, but my spending is out of control. Every time I think I'm getting close to having everything I need/want, I see something else on this forum I can't live without.

 

[RC Pilot Jim]

Ah yes....Took me 2 years to get it the way I like it.
Campers are sort of like boats...though instead of a " hole in the water" - we have a " hole in the concrete" in which to pour money".
Can't take it with you and if you don't spend it your kids will when you are gone

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Yes, but my spending is out of control. <stuff clipped>

As I get closer to 70, the reality of my mortality is truly setting in. Hence, I have adopted the new SKIN philosophy. That's Spend Kid's Inheritance Now. Don't deny yourself some of the pleasures of life.

In our case, three of our four kids will be fine, but we have one child with a mild form of autism. There should be plenty left over to help that child when needed, so I am feeling pretty positive about the philosophy.

I recognize there needs to be balance in that spending, but when it's my time, I want to slide in to the plate saying "Damn, that was a ride!".

 

[norcalhawk]

2020, I have a portable 80w Zamp to compliment my larger roof panel. Feel good about your purchase...it's green and clean.

 

[BobM]

Well, I finally decided to put a 100 watt panel on my roof after reading Bill Harr's post, thanks for the inspiration Bill. I think I got the same one he did http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-100W-Mono-Bundle-Monocrystalline/dp/B00B8L6EFA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1424287735&sr=8-10&keywords=solar+panel. I do have a solar in a bag so I did the same as Bill. I also set up my portable so I could use it to charge a car battery etc using it's charger.

I first mounted the rails to ensure proper setup. Then I placed the panel on them so I could ensure there were no interferences with the plug. I then applied rivets on both ends to secure to the rails and finished the remaining rivets on the ground. Here's the finished product.


I used rivets instead of screws to ensure a long lasting attachement:


I mounted the controller here and fused the battery and each panel:




Here's the setup with two panels and 200 watts:

 

[2020]

I opted for an external solar panel because I'm afraid that a hailstorm could wipe out my investment.

 

[DanT]

As I get closer to 70, the reality of my mortality is truly setting in. Hence, I have adopted the new SKIN philosophy. That's Spend Kid's Inheritance Now. Don't deny yourself some of the pleasures of life.

In our case, three of our four kids will be fine, but we have one child with a mild form of autism. There should be plenty left over to help that child when needed, so I am feeling pretty positive about the philosophy.

I recognize there needs to be balance in that spending, but when it's my time, I want to slide in to the plate saying "Damn, that was a ride!".

I love when this forum becomes half camper wisdom and half life wisdom.
WS, thanks for the nugget .

 

[BobM]

According to the manual, these are really tough. They use a strong silicon material. I would guess that anything (hailstones?) That would destroy this would also destroy the roof even worse. I will still use my portable when camping under a tree or when I need more power like on hot days where I need to run both fans. What I like about the new permanent one is I no longer have to stress when I spend a few day in a hotel and the refer is full. I installed the panel this morning and turned on my refer to test the system out. At 6:00 PM tonight I was at full power. I'll check again tomorrow evening after tonight with no sun.

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