Dana,

The archives are working just fine.  A search for solar in posts since
May 2004 found your post and several others.

There is information about solar installations and links on this in the
archives.  Search back in 6 month increments to avoid "timing out."
Plus you might find all you need in a few short searches.

Now I saw your second message.  I have a bookmark to:

http://gerry.vanagon.com/archives/vanagon.html

and from there click on "search the archives"

put "solar power" or "solar panel" or whatever will bring back some
results, in the contents and since about Nov 2003 in the time slot.  I
usually use contents, rather than the subject line as this will bring
back more results, but sometimes start with subject and then move to
contents if I don't find enough.

Searching about 6 months to a year back at a time saves time for the
search and limits what you have to read.  Most problems are discussed in
some detail once every year or so.  Always try several different search
terms as what you term you use may be the reason you don't get info, not
the lack of info in the archives.  Basic premise for all free form
database searching.  One of the first lessons they teach for using Lexis
or Westlaw, etc.

 And here are some links that I had bookmarked, but it is not all that
will come from the archives.  I thought I had more personal links, but
might not have put them all in the solar power folder in my vanagon
bookmarks, plus 2 individual pages had dead links.

http://members.fortunecity.com/davebaker1/westy/westy.htm

http://www.brunton.com/catalog.php   - works somewhat imperfectly but
search for solar and you get a few products

http://www.rvsolar.com/index.htm   with lots of info and and on that
page the link word volkswagen which leads to
http://www.rvsolar.com/vanagon.htm

http://www.mrsolar.com/

http://www.solarelectricinc.com/

http://www.altenergystore.com/

West marine has some basic solar panels also, as does Harbor Freight.

If you find any other good links on this, particularly personal pages,
please pass them back.  My son and I go camping at astronomy club
outings which are away from powered campgrounds to avoid lights and need
to recharge the batteries during the day.

So far, I have just been thinking of a basic portable unit that would
plug into the two cigarette lighter type sockets and recharge that way.
My main concern will be the 2nd battery in my weekender as this is the
one we would likely run down.

Sam

--
Sam Walters
Baltimore, MD

89 Syncro GL
85 Westy Weekender
84 Vanagon, original owner, soon to be retired, just too many problems

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