Solar power research material

Submitted: Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 12:14
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I'm now just getting into solar power.

Is there good reading material that I should look into? Is Collyn Rivers "Solar that really works" a good read?
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 16:06

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 16:06
Ran across Collyn's book in the library the other day - they had to get it in for me from the State Lib but on an inter library loan ..... could not borrow it though - ref only. I've ordered one from Collyn - seems to have a lot in it for anyone wanting to get up to speed on system designs for mobile applications.
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Reply By: Member -Dodger - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 17:35

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 17:35
His books are worth the outlay and you can also get a fair bit of info off his site. So go for it mate.

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/books/index.htm


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Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 20:42

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 20:42
For a practical guide to solar power for the traveller - nothing else comes close.
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:40

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:40
Mike

The page you have linked to is only a summary of what is in Collyn's books. His camper trailer book is a must to read before acquiring a camper, it was written around his research before purchasing his present one.

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Reply By: richor - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 23:21

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 23:21
I bought his book "Solar That Really Works - Motorhome Edition" and built my solar setup on my Hilux using the information in it. I don't have a generator and I don't use alternator charging and I camp for two to three weeks in the same place and I have not had any problems with not having enough power.

In his book he gives you his email address if you need clarification on anything in his books. Well worth buying.

Regards,
Bob
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 13:01

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 13:01
Your solar system works well because you do not use your alternator with it. A solar system when charging in the bulk and absorption stages is charging at a higher voltage than the alternator is putting out. When you connect the alternator it brings the auxiliary battery charge voltage down a bit and consequently the charge current will be reduced. You get much better charging with a solar system than you will if you just use your alternator.

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Reply By: Mainey (wa) - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 10:13

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 10:13
ben_gv3,
"Experience is a good teacher" go to your local Caravan park, drive around and talk to the owners of the Vans & Vehicles with Solar panels.

Ask them what products they have used and more importantly ask them what they think of their own system, how it works and what they would change if doing it all again !!

They have actual EXPERIENCE that most "sales" people don't have!!

Mainey . . .
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:44

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:44
The problem with asking those in caravan parks is that too many of them have had bad installations done by shonks and they have not had them long enough to find out their limitations. The ones with the successful installations are all out free camping.

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Follow Up By: Steve - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 16:34

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 16:34
ha, catch 22.

Mate, I think some of these "links" that posters have put up are not actually Links as such. What happens, is when certain words or phrases are typed in, they automatically become highlighted to follow links on this site. So not really an intentional link by the poster.

If you do a search on this site you'll find a wealth of know-how - it can get complicated but needn't necessarily be so.....and bear in mind, what is suitable for one person isn't necessarily "it". It depends on your setup and requirements. Have fun.
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Follow Up By: Mainey (wa) - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 16:41

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 16:41
Yes Peter, I should have thought of that too....

Then maybe he will see some of the pitfalls, and then he can make sure he does NOT use the same companies to give him technical advice too....

(but I believe there are some good installations out there and yes some may be in Caravan parks, you will know them because they *don't* have any power cord going to the on-site 240v power box, as they don't have to pay for power - because they have . . . . SOLAR POWER )

Mainey . . .
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 16:43

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 16:43
Steve

I'm a little confused. Which FollowUp or Reply are you referring to???

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Follow Up By: Mainey (wa) - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 16:50

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 16:50
Peter, the term I used above " SOLAR POWER " is now underlined as it 'could' be or 'would' be a LINK to a S0LAR P0WER web site
(see no link symbol inserted the second time)

Mainey . . .
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Follow Up By: Steve - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 17:09

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 17:09
sorry mate - I should've followed up the top follow-up.
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 20:42

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 20:42
Steve

These unintended links that appear in members postings in this forum are a real pain in the back passage. I don't know what the fascination of the management for these bum links is, they are most inappropriate in most cases.

However the link in Mike's posting in Reply 3 was intended. The posting makes no sense without that link directing you to an article on solar power (link not intended in this case.) I was just following up with the remark to the effect that Collyn's book was much more comprehensive then the article on this forum that Mike was directing us to.

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Follow Up By: Steve - Monday, Mar 10, 2008 at 08:43

Monday, Mar 10, 2008 at 08:43
ok - can be a bit misleading though
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, Mar 10, 2008 at 10:04

Monday, Mar 10, 2008 at 10:04
Agreed - If they got rid of all those bum links the forum would be esier to read.

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