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Subject:Re: Calling all solar gurus
From:Loren Busch
Date:Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:09:14 -0700

Three things in response to you question Ellen.
First, I agree with Mark on his comments about those solar panels.  They
look much like the lightweight setup that Harbor Freight sells.  I've looked
at those up close.  Very flimsy frame making them subject to damage with any
little bit of rough handling.  I've ended up with two 50 watt panels that I
set up, clamped and wired together, that gives me a full 100 watts that
keeps up with my 'fridge.  But they are top end panels with a very strong
frame.
Second, how do you plan on using them?  A permanent mounting on the roof of
the rig or only deploy and hook up when camped?  The latter means having a
safe way to store them when not in use.
Third, and the most important, what is the power draw of the refrigerator?
I'm not familiar with the 'fridge in the ASI conversions.  Can you dig out
the info from any documentation you might have? Or maybe from a label on the
refrigerator?  Or maybe find the info from the name of the manufacturer and
the model number.  Getting that info will lead to being able to calculate
how big a solar setup you might need.
And glad to help on this one, BTDT with my Norcold.