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Anyone Considered Solar?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by transplant, Nov 13, 2014.

Page 11 of 12
  1. Nov 24, 2014 at 10:26 AM
    #201
    transplant

    #201
    transplant [OP] resident know-nothing

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    well, that certainly makes more sense. its a load test.
     
    transplant, Nov 24, 2014
    #201
  2. Nov 24, 2014 at 10:45 AM
    #202
    transplant

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    transplant [OP] resident know-nothing

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    im seeing that. i could have sworn ive seen a 200ah one of those, but good googa mooga are those expensive!

    damn, this little solar bit just grew into a monster! all i wanted was cold beer and bread that wasnt soggy in my fridge :confused: haha

    thanks JLee, looking forward to seeing more of how you put it all together.
     
    transplant, Nov 24, 2014
    #202
  3. Nov 24, 2014 at 11:16 AM
    #203
    JLee

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    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    Honestly Ive ran my 50q ARB for four days without starting the truck and it started fine at the end of the trip. If your just going for weekend trips and just want to run a fridge just get a second battery. You should be good for four or five days between starts these fridges don't use much at all. If you want to run more stuff then I'd get a panel so you don't damage your battery over discharging it.
     
    JLee, Nov 24, 2014
    #203
  4. Nov 24, 2014 at 11:23 AM
    #204
    transplant

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    transplant [OP] resident know-nothing

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    ok, this is just so i can wrap my head around all this....

    fridge- ARB 50Qt, slider, and tie downs = 1283.73 -ish
    solar- Gp 200W w 30A controller = $1011.99
    battery- VMax 125Ah, dual battery tray, charging relay, fuse block, bed outlet, cabling = 602.14
    roof rack = 555.00 +ship


    all for cold beer and food thats not waterlogged after a day.



    JLee, is that what you shelled out for your 200W solar set up?
     
    transplant, Nov 24, 2014
    #204
  5. Nov 24, 2014 at 11:24 AM
    #205
    transplant

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    transplant [OP] resident know-nothing

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    good call. not until i get an onboard compressor and that 1500-2000W inverter will i really need solar or anything heavier i suppose.

    i have seen the light!
     
    transplant, Nov 24, 2014
    #205
  6. Nov 24, 2014 at 11:42 AM
    #206
    JLee

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    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.
    Panels 2 Renogy 100W Monocrystalline Bendable Solar Panels $399.98

    1 Controller MidNite Solar The Kid MPPT Solar Charge Controller $297.38

    1
    $250 VMAXSLR125 AGM 12V 125Ah SLA rechargeable deep cycle battery for use with Pv solar panels smart chargers, wind turbines and inverters and backup power (12 volt 125Ah group 31 AGM)
    Vmaxtanks Vmaxslr125 AGM Deep Cycle 12v 125ah SLA rechargeable Battery $264.97

    5
    Sun YOBA 5 Pairs of Male/Female Solar Panel Double Seal Cable Connectors IP67 Waterproof Connector
    Pairs of MC4 Male/ Female Solar Panel Cable Connectors $6.99

    1
    $31 Blue Sea Systems 5026 ST Blade Fuse Block 12 Circuit with Ground and Cover
    Blue Sea Systems 5026 ST Blade Fuse Block with Cover $39.14

    1
    $20 Blue Sea Systems 1016 Dual USB Charger Socket, 12/24v 2.1a, Black
    Blue Sea Systems Dual USB Charger Socket $19.22

    So far $1022.09 into the solar I have a bunch of wire and main fuse blocks so I don't need that and I'm build my own battery box/mount i still need an inverter I'm going to try and run as much 12v as i can seeing how the inverters use about 100w just to run AC stuff.
     
    JLee, Nov 24, 2014
    #206
    Waited many moons likes this.
  7. Nov 24, 2014 at 12:26 PM
    #207
    transplant

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    transplant [OP] resident know-nothing

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    transplant, Nov 24, 2014
    #207
  8. Nov 24, 2014 at 12:41 PM
    #208
    JLee

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    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.

    It came highly recommended on solar forums I wanted a MPPT controller as they are more efficient then the PWM type you have linked there.

    I would go with a MPPT (Maximum power point tracking) controller if i were you you get more out of your panels that way.

    Specs on mine
    Voltage range for batteries: 12 to 48 volts DC
    Voltage range for solar/wind/hydro: Up to 150 volts DC input
    Up to 30 amps output
    Can be connected in parallel for a total of two Kid controllers.
    Built in lighting controller: dusk-dawn, hourly, day and night settings
    Reverse polarity protection
    Sealed for harsh environments
    No cooling fan
    Dimensions: 9.5"L x 6.6"W x 3.4"D
    Weight: 6 lbs.
    Made in the U.S.A.
    2 year warranty
     
    JLee, Nov 24, 2014
    #208
  9. Nov 24, 2014 at 12:46 PM
    #209
    transplant

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    transplant [OP] resident know-nothing

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    ive got a LOT of learning to do still! thanks!

    i believe im going to go with a dual battery set up for now.. and once i have onboard air/winch/more lights or electrical demand... ill upgrade into solar. thanks everyone for all your contributions (or many bags of popcorn :rolleyes:)

    for anyone else with questions... or just visual like i am, i found a great simple schematic for how itll all hook in... (battery monitor optional)

    http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/productimg/IBS/Schematic.jpg
     
    transplant, Nov 24, 2014
    #209
    trailbound likes this.
  10. Nov 24, 2014 at 8:08 PM
    #210
    transplant

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    transplant [OP] resident know-nothing

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    same goes for the winch too...

    my dad had much the same response. not going solar?? what the hell is wrong with you boy!

    too many wants, not enough $$. what to do. what to do.
    ill pick up an inverter and solar with my tax refund. dual battery self xmas :D
     
    transplant, Nov 24, 2014
    #210
  11. Nov 24, 2014 at 10:50 PM
    #211
    VE7OSR

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    VE7OSR нет войне

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    You can probably just use a 30W solar panel to keep the jump pack charged.
     
    VE7OSR, Nov 24, 2014
    #211
  12. Nov 25, 2014 at 8:34 AM
    #212
    BamaToy1997

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    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

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    How much current does the AC transformer draw while charging? If you used a solar panel with an inverter, then you could use the automatic part of the AC charging system to keep the jump box constantly up and charged. Just a thought.
     
    BamaToy1997, Nov 25, 2014
    #212
  13. May 19, 2015 at 9:27 AM
    #213
    bridaw

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    bridaw The light was yellow, Sir.

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    *bump*

    I know, old thread with a bit of a piissing match (from one member) but I was really interested in this thread. Same needs as most. PLENTY of sun in the desert where I explore and camp. Some day I would like a fridge instead of my 7 day cooler. Only need to keep a few things running and the idea of hauling and running a generator is obscene. No freaking way I want that noise and hauling fuel plus it would take up too much space. I've also read quite a bit about compact Lithium-Ion jump start packs vs traditional lead-acid packs and wanted to hear from the folks with experience before I spend $$.
     
    bridaw, May 19, 2015
    #213
  14. May 23, 2015 at 5:58 PM
    #214
    transplant

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    transplant [OP] resident know-nothing

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    i still havent gotten around to it yet. sorry!
     
    transplant, May 23, 2015
    #214
  15. May 26, 2015 at 12:12 AM
    #215
    Nate87

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    Nate87 Well-Known Member

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    Jerry,
    Curious to see how your setup turned out. Do you have any updates or photos of the setup? I'd like to see more on that charge controller and where you have it mounted.

    I'll be finishing up my setup but still looking at controllers. I want a MPPT but size is a factor for me.
     
    Nate87, May 26, 2015
    #215
  16. May 26, 2015 at 1:18 AM
    #216
    manethon

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    manethon TTAS

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    With the amount of money you guys plan on spending on solar you can buy a single LIPO battery 50 or 100ah that will take care of all your needs and then some. Guys i know have compared running a single LIPO(50ah) under massive amp loads and compared to the output of 3 Group 31 batteries. Yes their expensive but damn are they light and really makes up for it.
     
    manethon, May 26, 2015
    #216
  17. May 26, 2015 at 12:32 PM
    #217
    JLee

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    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    Its working great were at float on the battery by 9:00 am every morning. Running lights, 82q ARB fridge and charging phones and whatnot in the evening.

    20150521_183813.jpg
     
    JLee, May 26, 2015
    #217
    Nate87[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. May 26, 2015 at 12:36 PM
    #218
    mlbdriver

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    mlbdriver Well-Known Member

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    Do you have more pictures?
     
    mlbdriver, May 26, 2015
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  19. May 26, 2015 at 1:05 PM
    #219
    JLee

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    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    No but i can take some when i get back to the trailer.
     
    JLee, May 26, 2015
    #219
  20. May 26, 2015 at 7:13 PM
    #220
    Nate87

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    Nate87 Well-Known Member

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    If you get the chance, can you take a few measurements of the charger controller? There seems to be a few different dimensions of it online. I've been looking at the Renogy Tracer 20 Amp but I'm not sure it'll fit my needs since I need something more flat with less depth and the one you have might do the trick. I'm looking to put it on one of these boards behind my rear interior panel of my Access Cab. That blank space to the right might be a good spot if it'll fit. Thanks.
     
    Nate87, May 26, 2015
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