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Post Info TOPIC: Solar Panels, roof or floor?


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Solar Panels, roof or floor?


Hi everyonem

 

Ok have don't some more motorhome stalking, and I thought if I bought a MH with the solar panels on the roof then I would not have to worry about sourcing the right ones, plugging in etc, however on Saturday was talking to some people that advised against it. Parking in the shade can be a problem, particularly in Summer, need shade to keep the MH cooler, but then the solar panels are not being charged. However if the panels are kept on the ground then they can put out to follow the sun. So my question is,  Is there a problem with them on the roof and if not how do others manage the shade/sun issue.

Remember guys I am a complete novice at this techie stuff so be gentle with the answers.

 

thanks heaps in advance

Sharon.



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Sharon

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And I have just read Beth's topic. Please don't yell at me.

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Sharon

Dream it, believe it, live it.

4WD with a ford ranger. The possibilities are endless.

 



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Forgot to tell you I have one on the roof of my Campervan.

Solar Panel.jpg

 

 

Cheers,

Sheba.



-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 1st of May 2012 09:20:25 AM

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Master (of Mischief)

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FH, we have ours on the roof, they get charged while we travel and we have two, the guy that fitted them told me he would fit one for full sunlight and one for when we are in the shade, so checkout that option.

I did not fancy the ones you put out daily because they need to be stored somewhere, and then setup EVERY time you stop.

A friend of mine has the non fixed type and they say that they are heavy and they are getting sick and tried of setting up every time they stop, got an email from them yesterday and they now have a roof mounted panel.

IMHO roof top is best.



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I'm no expert, but I was told years ago, that you still get a charge, [ though not at full capacity] even when the sky is overcast.  [As long as there is Light.]

  If you're parked in an enclosed area, that would not apply, but surely under trees,etc, there wouldn't be a problem. 

Cheers,

Sheba.



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Thanks Wombat and Sheba,

I think the on the roof ones are still the way to go. I had not thought of the weight of them, and also I really don't fancy getting somewhere and having to pull them out and then pack them away again.

When one thinks about it logically, they would be charging as you are moving as Wombat said, and if they were running low in the shade then, just move for a little while.

Funny how once a question is asked the answers come and more thoughts flood the mind. Thanks once again.

Sharon

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Sharon

Dream it, believe it, live it.

4WD with a ford ranger. The possibilities are endless.

 



Master (of Mischief)

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another point is would the ones you put out every time you stop be safe to leave if you went down to the local shops or maybe to the pub, they could easy be lifted and you would never see them again.



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Personally I use the portables because I have a CUB camper trailer. Yes, they are cumbersome and I was still getting 14.4v when one panel was in the shade.

If you get very good quality panels they should work reasonbly well in almost any conditions.

I thought your rig should be set up to charge ALL your batteries while travelling. Some are saying they are a pain to setup all the time, but if you were travelling most of the day, your alternator should recharge your batteries with enough power to get you thru the night. Also, you alternator will charge more quickly (day or night travelling) than solar.

WOMBAT your right. My panels cost around $1100 and are my only source of renewable energy, so on the rare occasion no-one is close by to watch, I pack them in the back of the wagon along with the Waeco fridge.



-- Edited by Muso on Wednesday 2nd of May 2012 06:45:49 AM

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Being told I need to download the appropriate version of .net framework V 2.0.50727.

When I try to download that , I get told the same thing.  I can't get it.

Don't understand at all.

Cheers,

Sheba.



 



 



-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 2nd of May 2012 12:22:00 PM

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Roof.
Fit as many as you can afford.

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 



Master (of Mischief)

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It depends on what you require, see there are two opinions here already, one system will suit one traveller the other system suits the other traveller.

Muso, it's  a shame that you cannot leave your panels and waeco out if you go away for a short while but that is what happens all over Aus, there are people who cannot be trusted.

Sheba, you need to make your pics smaller, this one has overstretched the page for me. lol



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_wombat_ wrote:

Sheba, you need to make your pics smaller, this one has overstretched the page for me. lol


 Been trying for the umteenth time to download Prish Image Resizer,  which is very simple to use [for me], and which I have on the Desk-top at home, but I cannot get it to upload on the laptop, even trying their instructions.   It just won't upload.

I don't like some of the other Programmes that others find so easy, so I'll have to keep looking for one that is as simple as Prish.

I'll stay up late tonight to try and find another one.

Cheers,

Sheba.

 

 



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Master (of Mischief)

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here's the one you need download it and let me know when that is done and I'll walk you through iy, you will never need to download another one, I've been useing it for years.

will be going out shortly so may not get back until this arvo

http://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDownload.htm



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FH, if you have a couple of batteries installed, they will store the charge from your solar panels, so what is put in when you are travelling can be drawn on when parked - which lessens the need to be in sun.
Example - we run a 12v fridge and van lights, and laptop computer via inverter. Have 2 deep cycle batteries charged from solar, or from 240v power when hooked up to it. Found we could last about 9 days in really heavily overcast weather, before needing to go and find some 240v to hook up to (or turn on the generator).
We had the current system installed by a specialist in alternative power systems - after being really dissatisfied with work done by a couple of companies supposed to be expert in solar for vans/motorhomes. If I was setting up another van or motorhome, that is who I would use.

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OK go to this site and download ccleaner

http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

there is no need to install the program if you don't want to, this is just a test to see if you can download it.

also I have downloded the 

Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.50727

.exe file, it's nearly 4mb do you want me to send it to your email address?

suggest you 1st try the ccleaner download just to let me know if you can download anything



-- Edited by _wombat_ on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 11:34:26 AM

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I've already got this one Wombat.  Will it still download ?  I'll try it anyway.

Tried it, and got the same message in the Grey box.  Can't download.

Cheers,

Sheba.

 



-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 3rd of May 2012 12:05:25 PM

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Sheba wrote:

Being told I need to download the appropriate version of .net framework V 2.0.50727.

When I try to download that , I get told the same thing.  I can't get it.

Don't understand at all.

Cheers,

Sheba.



 



 



-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 2nd of May 2012 12:22:00 PM


 Try downloading Irfanview It is quite straightforward to use and has some basic editing functions including resising.

Jim



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jimricho wrote:
Sheba wrote:

Being told I need to download the appropriate version of .net framework V 2.0.50727.

When I try to download that , I get told the same thing.  I can't get it.

Don't understand at all.

Cheers,

Sheba.



 



 



-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 2nd of May 2012 12:22:00 PM


 Try downloading Irfanview It is quite straightforward to use and has some basic editing functions including resising.

Jim


 the problem with Irfanview is that it takes over all of your graphics on your pooter, ALL of the graphic icon's on your system will be linked to Irfanview, not a real bad problem but I did not like it, BUT it is a good program and does what it is supposed to do, and has been around for years, programs like this do not last if they do not live up to their promise and this one must have something going for it simply based on the time it has been around, as JR said, give it a try and see if you are able to download Irfanview, if it works ok then use it.



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Got the same response Wombat.  Must download .net framework etc, which I can't do, as I have to have it already on to download it.  Confused ?

I know I am.  I don't understand it at all.  Never had a problem with the desk-top. 

Would be easier if this Forum had a resize option like some of the others do.   Makes it so simple.

 

Cheers,

Sheba. 



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quote

Sheba wrote:


Being told I need to download the appropriate version of .net framework V 2.0.50727.

When I try to download that , I get told the same thing.  I can't get it.

Don't understand at all.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Sheba, when you say get the same thing, do you mean you get a message on the screen or an error message, let me know EXACTLY what you get.



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"To run this application, you must first install one of the following versions of the .Net Framework: v. 2.0.50727. Contact your application publisher for instructions about obtaining the appropriate version of the .Net Framework".
 
This comes in a grey box, with a red cross in the top left-hand corner.
 
Cheers,
Sheba.
 


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download this and try to download the faststone resizer or infranview again

http://microsoft-net-framework-2.en.softonic.com/download



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you may also like to read this post

http://www.smartpcfixer.com/support/?model=errorfix&item=Net-Framework&gclid=CIyJ4pTg4q8CFUNMpgodRFSOBQ



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Got the same message from the Download Manager Wombat.  Can't download that either.

Cheers,

Sheba.



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_wombat_ wrote:

you may also like to read this post

http://www.smartpcfixer.com/support/?model=errorfix&item=Net-Framework&gclid=CIyJ4pTg4q8CFUNMpgodRFSOBQ


 This is the result of that .

Warning

Sorry, we can't find "download.smartpcfixer.com". Please check the spelling of the web address.

Cheers, 

Sheba. 



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Master (of Mischief)

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are you able to download anything from anywhere?



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Not sure Wombat.

Cheers,

Sheba.



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Sheba wrote:

Got the same response Wombat.  Must download .net framework etc, which I can't do, as I have to have it already on to download it.  Confused ?

I know I am.  I don't understand it at all.  Never had a problem with the desk-top. 

Would be easier if this Forum had a resize option like some of the others do.   Makes it so simple.

 

Cheers,

Sheba. 


 you say you never had this problem with the desktop, can you download the .net file onto the desktop then put it onto a flash stick and use that on your lappy

http://microsoft-net-framework-2.en.softonic.com/download



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Was just thinking about doing that Wombat.  Don't get home again for another week yet.  I'll put it on a flashdrive then.

Thanks for trying.   I did try the Download Help option, and did everything it said, but that didn't work either.

See what happens next week.

Cheers,

Sheba.



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Master (of Mischief)

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do you have a stick with you, take it to a comp shop and ask if they would be able to download the file for you, ask nicely and put on your sexy voice and they may help you. biggrin



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