Solar panel for my Toaster...

Solar panel I could move around with the sun and not have to have my trailer in the sun.

 

Would you mind sharing details on your solar panel? I want to get one "in case of an emergency"...i.e. part of our "just in case" set up. Size, what it will charge, cost (if you don't mind) and where you got it. A link would be nice...Thanks!

 

Brunton makes a nice 25 watt one that folds really small and fits under bed in storage well.

 

Thanks Ken! I know that Evan's is an 80 watt I believe for around $200...I use electric appliances almost exclusively rather than the propane and would like to continue doing so and not have to worry about finding electric plug ins all the time.

 

Remember the solar hook up charges the battery so you would need a converter to run electrical appliances from the 12v system

 

We have several converter's, not a problem!

 

Yup... its warm on cold nights and my friends cant believe I can sleep in a travel toaster....

 

I agree with Ken... 80 to 85 watts is min i would use. Having had mine since 2006 with a 50 watt panel I wish I had gone bigger instead of slicing hairs on power used. The other problem I have found out is many of the places I like to camp don't have alot of sunlight...ie its in the trees. Hence I use the Yamaha 1000 generator at night to bring up the battery because I use the cabin lights and run a dc fridge during the day. Deep cycle batteries are ok to run down to 50 percent but it takes a while with the charger we have mounted on our trailers to recharge then... about 7 hours before the light goes green...I know because I keep track. I am using an AMG battery because they load faster and very vibration resistant.
I am going to a new camp spot in July... more open and hoping to use my solar panel more here. Will take pictures and let you know.

Oh...I do call my CI the flying toaster

 

Ken, do you have your panal mounted to the top of your CI, or do you have it on a portable stand with an attaching cable? I know the mounting on top of the CI is convenient, allowing for charging while on the move and that its always hooked up, but a panal on a stand which you could move around makes alot of sense too, if camping in a wooded area. Also, most folks want to keep their CI in the shade for obvious reasons, but I think you know that by what you named your CI.

Tim

 

OK, belay my last, I didn't see the picture. :grin:

 

Another Navy guy I'm guessing! Go Navy

 

Travel toaster!