Wanted to toot my own horn..

[Phssthpok]

Here's the story.

Craigslist is EVIL!

I found these solar panels listed on the local list. I email figuring they were already gone as the ad was almost 24hrs old by the time I saw it.

...and the E-mailed reply when I asked if they were still available and what size they were:

     "Yes they are still available.  They are 16.9 max volts and  80 max watts."

Here's what I got.

Mfg. date of 9-98. Full sun test cranked 20V-and-change with a little over 4 Amps.

I was told that they came from the guy's brother who works in the oil fields. Apparently they were used to keep the automatic gate power systems charged. He was ging to use them on his RV, but couldn't figure out how to hook 'em up, so decided to bag the idea.

I kept my mouth shut, handed him $150, and drove away as fast as I dared!  :p

[henjulfox]

Buck-a-watt. My vote is that you should feel a little bit guilty and a whole lot proud!

-Henry

[Volvo farmer]

Very nice score! Those things (though usually not as big as that) are all over the gas fields out here. Remote locations, nobody watching. Makes me wonder if you're not the only one who stole them? :-)

[QUAZ HOLT]

Phssthpok, Got the first one 75 watt Siemens. Told the guy I just wanted to look at it. That was a few years ago. The second one fell off a roof and seeing that I have salvage rights. 100 watt it is. The third one wasn't much of a deal. Free but only 5 watt. Posting in place of Quaz, Mr W.

[Phssthpok]

Sounds like my story.

My first score was a pair of Uni-solar 64watt units, with a 16 amp CC and (2) Trojan T-125 batteries for $700 off of craigslist. Not a 'spectacular' deal, but good enough. I figured it was a fair price for a beginner set. They guy said he bought the set back in '99 for his 'bugout buggy'. Ran them for about 8 months, then took them off the RV when he sold it, and stored them in the garage ever since.

(128 watts, 240AH reserve)

After that I found the HF 45 watt kits. Debated for a while then decided to take the plunge. Bought 2 at $159 each.

(218 watts)

Then I saw a Craigslist ad (I told you it was EVIL!) for a 50 watt panel for $100. I snapped it up before I realized it was a 48volt unit. No matter... it's a brand new BPsolar panel... I can always unload it for at LEAST what I paid.....if I don't use it for a remote well pump.

(still 218 watts, 240AH reserve)

At the same time I found another ad for 6 volt UPS AGM batteries . 200 AH reserve. $35 each. 12 available..........I bought 8!

(218 watts, 800 AH reserve. Not mixing the battery types)

Now these two 80 watt Kyocera panels for $150.

(378 watts, 800AH reserve......and desperately looking for a bigger CC!)

I do feel a bit guilty at times, but I figure what he doesn't know, won't hurt him! >=)

At the rate I'm going I'll have a full KW+ of solar before I even have my land!

[Phssthpok]

I'm so ashamed.

(1) US-64 Panel (NEW IN BOX!~ I watched him pull the staples!)

(2) US-32 Panels (Same)

(2) Sunguard-4 charge controllers (4.5amps max)

(2) 12v Group 27 Marine/RV deep cycle batteries

$500. >:-)

(Craigslist is evil I tell you... EVIL!)

[Phssthpok]

AAAAaaaannnnnd.....it gets worse (better?)

I went to the SOL-WEST Renewable Energy Fair in John Day, Or. over the weekend, and came away with a URL=Heart Interface Freedom 10 Inverter/Charger[/URL]  for $300!!

Now I have 120V ac capability that I can wire into the AC circuits of the RV, with enough surge capacity to kick-off, and run my small AC unit for those uber-hot days!

Since the AC pulls 520 watts, and I'm up to 506watts of solar, I should be able to keep cool without completely HAMMERING my reserves!