Solar Power...the benefits of the Sun

As you may remember from the post back in September, Jim had gotten 10 solar panel mats that stick to the roof of the camper.  He really wanted 14 of the solar panel mats, but there just was not enough room on the roof of the camper to accommodate that many.  This past winter, while in Quartzsite, it just didn't seem to be enough charge in the batteries to last through the evening and night to make it to the next day when the sun would come up again.  On cloudy days, well that really didn't help matters either.  We would have to run the generator for 2 to 4 hours in the evening in order to watch TV. Well, with gas approaching $4.00/gal that was an incentive to search for more solar panels.

Jim had helped a fellow Quartzsite RV dweller to transfer his solar panels from one motor home to another, for payment Jim got a couple of 50 watt panels.  Jim quickly installed them over one of the windows. (Jim keeps saying he and I compromised....I wanted awnings over the windows and he wanted more solar panels.

This one little panel really helped and cut down on the use of the generator considerable.   SO, if one is good, a whole bunch is even better....right???

After returning to Seligman, and conferring with his cousin, off we went to Flagstaff (1 &1/2 hr drive) to NORTHERN ARIZONA WIND & SUN (http://www.solar-electric.com/  P# 800-383-0195) and picked up not 2 but 4 more solar panels.  I knew what he would do with the two....more awnings, but there was just enough room on the roof to mount the other 2 up there.



The new ones are at the end of the camper.  Just enough room!!
He has them mounted that they can be pointed in either direction.



Up close and personal with one of the new panels.
(That was Jim taking the pictures.....your truly doesn't do high places!!!)




Wah Lah......Window awnings!!!



Keeps the sun out of the coach and puts more energy into the batteries!!

 Jim is on a quest for "Float Mode" on the system and usually gets it by 2PM every afternoon now.  He's happy and I get to watch TV without the generator running in the evening!!!! 

I think we have enough solar panels now to power a small city!!!  The sun is amazing!

I guess we are all set, for the time being.

Safe travels to all!!!

Jim and Barb