Solos just conversation

[rvpopeye]

OOps.
Sorry ,it didn't sound right so I checked my log. Flagstaff is actually around 7000' but the theory stays the same .....up=cooler down=warmer , well , most of the time anyway !

[traveldogs]

Originally Posted by rvpopeye

Cindy
The couch and chair are probably bolted of screwed to the floor. If you can't find 'em a hacksaw blade should get them free , then , hopefully they'll fit out the door!!! And the new stuff will have to fit in too .

Not a lot of real estate on a 25' class C roof so that will limit how much area you can cover with panels , Battery space will be limited too. I just downsized from a 29'classA to a 23' classC ,you have a little more room and cargo capacity but not much !! The other thing with a classC is most are built with really thin walls and roof so insulation is minimal.

Maybe a couple of 6v Golf Cart Batteries and about 200-400 watts of panels for your solar system. What is your budget approximately? That will help picking the best components.

I'm going to get a Samlex Pure Sine Wave Inverter soon, 600watt , around $225 . @ Don Rowe dot com.
I have a Blue Sky controller but am looking at some nice ones by Tri
Metric

I once asked an oltimer what his favorite solar panels were ,,,,,,,he said " The RED ones" Well I had been researching solar pretty heavy and I didn't remember seeing any that were red , I asked what brand they were and he said "a HONDA eu2000i" Soooool , I got one of those and a solar system too ! Skuh kuh kuh kuh kuh

Oh My GOSHK !, Phoenix,AZ in the summer....
Are you planning to boondock or stay in campgrounds ?

The best ,and cheapest way to beat that heat is just move a few hundred miles UP
If it was me , I'd leave Phoenix and head up around Flag . Around 5000' , this time of year you should drop 20* !
Then up around the GC north rim country or even Southern Utah when Flag get's too warm. That's 10,000' territory and should be nice even in July and August. If not ,hmm Colorado or Wyoming ????


A Fantastic vent fan would help if you can't move (900 cubic feet a minute),Also there is a company that makes an RV version of a swamp cooler too. Both are low power consumers which will help your battery last longer.
stay tuned
popeye

Hi Popeye,

I saw the way they are attached: 2 big bolts for the chair (it's got seat belts, too ). The JK sofa is actually on a frame that is screwed down with L brackets all the way around.

Undo them...throw the stuff out the door...that's my plan

There's a coupla tables that I'm looking at at IKEA...just have to figure out how to secure them while driving. Don't want any projectiles!

As for the solar...without an installer, I can't get the components. Once I get to know an installer, I can negotiate getting my own components for him to put in.
I still have to do the worksheet to see what I need,wattage-wise. Problem is....I haven't yet got everything in the rig I'll be using for FTing, yet. I don't KNOW yet what all I will have in there.

I DO know that I want AGM batts for sure...more of them will fit into the current batt box, than the 2 group 31s that I currently have in there. But, if I need more than that...AGMs can be kept inside if necessary.

The "red one"....that's a good one. I was researching if I get a new 15K BTU AC...would I need a bigger genny, than what I got. Yeah, I came across a lot of "red ones."
I don't need a bigger genny, BTW.
I did find out today that the problem with my AC is the lack of a thermostat. Since the AC doesn't cycle...it's running hard when the sun goes down at night. Wa-laa..the condensation shoots up, and boom! frozen.
Oh wait...I didn't tell you: my AC freezes up only in the AZ summer, and only at night Been trying to find out why for the last 2 years. Now I know...yay!!

Oh...and I had installed 2 Maxx Fans last year...work better than Fantastic fans IMHO. Love those things.

My FTing plans come into fruition in the next 4 years. Step, by step...piece, by piece it'll come together.

The reason I'd be here in the summer is for my daughter. She is a teacher, and gets her long vacay in the summer. We like to RV together. So if we were planning a trip after school lets out...I'd come back here and pick her and her doggies up. I'd stay in a campground if I had to stay overnight....running a genny when it's AZ hot makes no sense...that damn thing would be going 24 hours!

Meanwhile, I AM taking a trip to Utah this August. Meeting up with the RV Mutants for the first time...a group I got into here on iRV2.

A little nervous about that....I'm not the "group" type, at all.

You work camping this summer?

[rvpopeye]

Sheet Rock type screws which are available in 1" up to 6" , might work on your table mounting. From above or even from below !

I don't know any solar installers , do all my own work , but I've heard there are some that hang out in Q ,if there is anybody still there now is anybody's guess though. There are some good solar suppliers in the Phoenix area IIRC. There's got to be somebody here on IRV2 forums that could give a recc.

I usually go with golf cart batts about the size of group 24 footprint but WAY taller, they take a lickin' and keep on tickin'
I have seen many folks that went the AGM route though.

I had 1 Maxx and 1 Fantastic in my last class A. The Maxx developed a squeal and never could get a reply from them on a fix,,,The Fantastic folks were 100% customer service friendly,in my experience anyway.
I also installed a 9000btu AC .(It would work with the 13.3 amp Honda eu2000i) They all got a good testing the winter I spent in Death Valley. (@ 115* by May 15th when I left.....)

If you'll be in campgrounds , power for all your systems will be easy , a good time to install a power usage meter (something you will want as part of your solar setup anyway) and see what your realtime usage will be way better that the worksheet estimates. Then you can adjust the total wattage of panels (or your power usage)before you buy.

[traveldogs]

Originally Posted by rvpopeye

Sheet Rock type screws which are available in 1" up to 6" , might work on your table mounting. From above or even from below !

I don't know any solar installers , do all my own work , but I've heard there are some that hang out in Q ,if there is anybody still there now is anybody's guess though. There are some good solar suppliers in the Phoenix area IIRC. There's got to be somebody here on IRV2 forums that could give a recc.

I usually go with golf cart batts about the size of group 24 footprint but WAY taller, they take a lickin' and keep on tickin'
I have seen many folks that went the AGM route though.

I had 1 Maxx and 1 Fantastic in my last class A. The Maxx developed a squeal and never could get a reply from them on a fix,,,The Fantastic folks were 100% customer service friendly,in my experience anyway.
I also installed a 9000btu AC .(It would work with the 13.3 amp Honda eu2000i) They all got a good testing the winter I spent in Death Valley. (@ 115* by May 15th when I left.....)

If you'll be in campgrounds , power for all your systems will be easy , a good time to install a power usage meter (something you will want as part of your solar setup anyway) and see what your realtime usage will be way better that the worksheet estimates. Then you can adjust the total wattage of panels (or your power usage)before you buy.

That's a good idea on the power usage meter...again..I'd have to find a cheaper way to get one installed :(

I came across some directions on how to make my own roller shades...Yay! I've just saved $400! More $ for solar!

I've heard that about that Fantastic Fan Cust Service, but I also heard that FF's stuff went down in quality in recent years...unfortunately. That's why I went with the MFs. I had heard their quality went up in recent years.

Whaddaya gonna do? Companies aren't like they used to be...you can't depend on them like years ago.

I remember I tried to buy a new washing machine about 4-5 years ago. Not ONE single brand had good reviews. So, I didn't buy anything. Then 2 months ago my machine just up and died. So I HAD to get a new one. Well...Lo and Behold, Electrolux...remember them? They decided they were getting a into the major appliance biz a couple years back.

Their machines are the ONLY ones getting good reviews right now. AND all those machines I looked at 4 years ago...TONS of problems and are all on Craigslist for sale...and every single one of them has something wrong with them. Yet, people are trying to unload them for anything they can get. Geez...manufacturers just don't have a clue.

The table; that's a stickler. I might just get a folding one after all. And just bolt down the new chair. Good suggestion on the screws, though.

I'm feeling kinda overwhelmed right now. Too many ideas and possibilities flowing through my head. I started going through my sewing room, to see what I could sell. Ack! There's a lot of crap in there! BUT...the more items I can actually sell...the better off I'll be down the road. The good news is that I'm good at that kind of thing. Heck, last month I sold my roller skate gear for $200. I've had that stuff for like 9 years.

[rvpopeye]

Cindy (and anybody else following along)
The battery monitor meter I have (Link 10) is now obsolete , the only one I'd consider buying now is the Trimetric TM-2025RV . Here's a link to a place i found that sells them in AZ . Trimetric TM-2025-A Battery Monitor System I don't know if that's the best price but just posted the link for the picture and description.

With one of these you can unplug the rig and actually see how much power (amps) you're taking out of the batteries with each light , furnace , fan , etc. you turn on , just multiply the amp draw by how many hours you use each device in an average day. That gives you an amount called amp hours.
Each 100 watt panel will replace about 5 amps per hour (5amp hours)at full output. There are variables like cloudy days and angle of the panel to the sun but this gets you started understanding the basics.
Installation is pretty easy , could probably talk ya through it here on the forum. The shunt goes between the battery neg terminal and the frame , and the meter hooks up to the shunt and battery.

I have a controller that is also kind of obsolete, RV Power Products Solar Boost 2000e ...25 amps max, they were bought out by Blue Sky which still makes that model, I'm also a big fan of Morning Star MPPT charge controllers and think I'd get one of them if I upgraded today. Probably the 45 amp one.
(Always buy one a little bigger than you think you need in case you decide to add more panels in the future.)

All this stuff can be moved to a new RV if you upgrade that too !

Lots of info at that link for anyone thinking solar.

I had heard that Fantastic had been bought out , too bad , not many companies care so much about their customers after the sale anymore.

That's a good story about the laundry appliances , so many companies just trying to pad their pockets without concern for the consumers.

Maybe you can teach us how to make roller shades.

Spinach Central over and out for today,,,skuh kuh kuh kuh kuh

[traveldogs]

Originally Posted by rvpopeye

Cindy (and anybody else following along)
The battery monitor meter I have (Link 10) is now obsolete , the only one I'd consider buying now is the Trimetric TM-2025RV . Here's a link to a place i found that sells them in AZ . Trimetric TM-2025-A Battery Monitor System I don't know if that's the best price but just posted the link for the picture and description.

With one of these you can unplug the rig and actually see how much power (amps) you're taking out of the batteries with each light , furnace , fan , etc. you turn on , just multiply the amp draw by how many hours you use each device in an average day. That gives you an amount called amp hours.
Each 100 watt panel will replace about 5 amps per hour (5amp hours)at full output. There are variables like cloudy days and angle of the panel to the sun but this gets you started understanding the basics.
Installation is pretty easy , could probably talk ya through it here on the forum. The shunt goes between the battery neg terminal and the frame , and the meter hooks up to the shunt and battery.

I have a controller that is also kind of obsolete, RV Power Products Solar Boost 2000e ...25 amps max, they were bought out by Blue Sky which still makes that model, I'm also a big fan of Morning Star MPPT charge controllers and think I'd get one of them if I upgraded today. Probably the 45 amp one.
(Always buy one a little bigger than you think you need in case you decide to add more panels in the future.)

All this stuff can be moved to a new RV if you upgrade that too !

Lots of info at that link for anyone thinking solar.

I had heard that Fantastic had been bought out , too bad , not many companies care so much about their customers after the sale anymore.

That's a good story about the laundry appliances , so many companies just trying to pad their pockets without concern for the consumers.

Maybe you can teach us how to make roller shades.

Spinach Central over and out for today,,,skuh kuh kuh kuh kuh

Wow...thanks! My battery compartment is under the 1st stair. So this thing goes in there, and then I'd have to keep opening the stair every time I want to start writing down the amp hours? But the meter stays in there all the time?

Also the ad says this: "Note: Requires either a 100 amp or 500 amp shunt"

So, I have to buy that, too?

Oh, and thanks for the mini amp and solar education I like knowin' stuff

I'll see how my finances work out in the next coupla months. I'm listing everything for sale around here that isn't nailed down. So, we'll see if it pays off

[rvpopeye]

Naaaahhhh,,,Just the shunt (and maybe a system fuse)goes next to the batteries. The meter can go anywhere , maybe on a nearby wall , next to your tank monitor ??? and the solar charge controller too if it has a monitor ,,,,usually want to be mounted close to the batteries(but not in the same compartment ,sparks and battery gasses don't mix too well.)

The 500amp/50mv (get that one)shunts are only about $27 more , not too painful. Some places include it w /the meter , some sell it separate , be sure to check.

stay tuned
popeye

[rvpopeye]

Just tied up my summer workamping job. On the coast , on a lake , running the boathouse.... Hey , somebody has to do it !

[Ryegal]

we have had a very mild winter in Seattle and a little wetter, but still nice. It just makes me want to get going and I have to wait for my friend who is coming from CT.So many people starting to travel..... I have had the maps out

[rvpopeye]

I LOVE looking at my maps. What a wonderful feeling planning a trip.
I have GPS software but wouldn't think of getting rid of the maps.
I have a backpack full of DeLorme atlases. All the states I-10 goes through plus a few others too. Probably will get more..........
It's big and heavy ,but kind of like my cast iron cookware , I won't take 'em out of the rig !!

[Ryegal]

I get a thrill out of looking at the maps ! an I always see somewhere else to check out, of course that takes me off the beaten path. oh well there I go again! that's why I like traveling alone. My fur baby doesn't care where I turn or end up.

[rvpopeye]

Well , made it to the new job.
Just made it, as I was backing up on leveling blocks the brakes blew out !
Guess that means the rig likes it here?

Last weekend in the boathouse was a good trial , very busy and no problemo.
Quieted down till school lets out , typical campground schedule.

There are live bands here every weekend so have a taste of my old life and my new life in one place.

[Ryegal]

good luck on the new job glad you arrived on time LOL

[rvpopeye]

Thanks Ryegal
I don't like to rush on the road and long ago learned the hard way to add days in case of a breakdown so I arrived on a Monday and didn't start till Saturday.
I usually don't travel with a specific arrival date so there's plenty of time to explore anything I might find along the way ! You know , smell the roses kind of stuff. (Hmmmm , that sign says "Next Exit Grand Canyon","Osterich Ranch" or , well you get the idea!)