Sunday, Feb 22, 2004 at 01:50
Firstly I don't like to see people leaving a
forum over criticism by others, last year I caused a member to leave because of my actions. When I sat down and thought about it, I was in the wrong and after an appology I was pleased to see that member rejoined the group. In this case I can understand the criticism, Collyns article starts off by saying the "Swagman, Phoenix,
Bushtracker and the like, recommend solar as a necessity", and the main photo shows a number of Trackmaster vans fitted with what looks like 120watt solar modules. This gives the inference that the solar modules that this article is talking about refers to is what is in this picture and what we have on our Bushtrackers. Most Bushtrackers have 190lt door opening fridges, but the article says "they are only practical - if run from solar - at up to 130L or so." This goes against what all
Bushtracker owners know from their own experience. The article then goes on to say "By and large, caravans and motorhomes that use gas for refridgeration need three big solar modules, plus another if you really must use your microwave oven in the bush". "If you use solar for running big electric fridges, you will need at least six big modules for the fridge alone, a lot of batteries, and a generator for occasional back-up. In other words, 10 modules plus a big inverter (or without a microwave - nine). The solar modules that
Bushtracker use are 120 or 125watt which I think most people would regard as big, due to their physical size, but Collyn apparently was referring to smaller 80watt modules. The picture on page 74 of what appears to be a folding panel being supported by a man, doesn't look like 2 big modules to me. The words big solar modules to me seems to be a poor choice of words and I believe should be corrected in a future article on the subject. My 21ft BT wouldn't have room for 9 or 10 solar modules, so this article to me gives a totally false impression to the general vanning public that do NOT have solar at present. Most of us have found that 3 by 120 watt modules with suitable 3 deep cycle batteries as storage will run, 190L fridge, water pumps, lights, limited microwave use and other minor power items with ease, so it is easy to see why this comment has upset Bob. Bob and most BT owners don't regard 80W modules as big. I think Collyns replies to Bobs comments, in the other topic discussion, are what should have been included in greater detail in the article, such as stating that due to weight restrictions on the likes of Jayco vans (300 to 400kg carrying capacity), solar is not a practical option, but on the purpose built vans with a heavier load carrying capacity, then Solar is a very practical method of being self sufficient away from mains power. I can see that if Collyn doesn't arrange to have something published in a future edition of Caravan & MotorHome then owners of
Bushtracker, TrackMaster and other similar vans with solar are likely to be writing to the magazine asking them to publish something about the size of panels, and numbers required. Collyn you have given a lot of useful comments to a lot of people since this
forum has started, and have access to a large number of new regulations relating to Caravan & MotorHome use, if you do decide not to participate in the future then a lot of people will miss your imput. I don't want to offend anyone with my comments. These are just my observations on the matter. Brian Fox.
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