Today's forecast was for sun all day so I thought I would see how much power I can get out of the solar panels. I didn't set them up to be adjustable. I just wanted to fix them down to the roof to minimize maintenance so there is some loss of efficiency. The Renogy panels are nominally rated at 100 watts per panel with I
mp=5.29 amps. To load down the system, I turned on the inverter and turned off the breaker to the outlets. This would not normally be much of a draw but I didn't switch the refrigerator off of "Auto". This means that the refrigerator is running off of the inverter. The nominal power consumption of the refrigerator is 330 watts which is about 27 amps off of the battery. Probably more than the solar panels are capable of producing with a PWM controller.
Around noon I went to float in the pool again and while looking at the sky I noticed the number of contrails. I was wondering why the current was fluctuating. This is probably near the maximum output of the system. About 22.56 amps. Still less than what is being drawn especially since Bridget just made a cup of tea with the Keurig. In a couple of hours I'll switch back to shore power and let the panels bring the batteries back up. This test does mean that I can't run the refrigerator full time off of the inverter without a lot more solar. As in at least double the number of panels. I didn't realize that the power draw listed for the refrigerator is continuous.
Believe it or not, I picked up the truck this afternoon from the dealer. They replaced the exact part that I had originally suggested last week when it was brought in. It just took them over a week to figure it out for themselves. After all, they are the experts. The customer is the idiot. From my own experience, I'm sorry to say that I can see where that belief comes from. The part changed was the clutch master/slave cylinder assembly. It is sold as a complete, non-servicable unit. At least it comes with a 2 year parts and labor warranty from Chrysler. They commented that the new part is different from the one removed and the design has it further away from the exhaust downpipe.
So tomorrow's plan is to hook up and try out one of the Harvest Host locations north of Sacramento.
I'm sorry you missed the wedding, but you have a great attitude to make sun dials out of lemons. :) Glad you are getting on the road to continue the fun.
ReplyDeleteLemons sound about now. 8:30pm and still hot...
DeleteIt took them a week to figure out what you suggested in the first place? I sure hope that they refunded you part of your stay/waiting time. Oh well, at least this goes to show that you are a fine car diagnostician, if not a good mechanic yourself, eh?
ReplyDeleteNope. Nothing like that expected from a dealer. I was happy to get it addressed though faster would've been better. From the dealer perspective, part of the problem is that they couldn't replicate the problem. Just look for evidence that a problem exists. I understand that view.
DeleteEnvious of your temperatures. 48F and raining here. No sign of summer yet.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'll take the 48°F anytime to 85°F+. I don't care for "hot". Maybe that's why I stick around Alaska.
DeleteWould that they would have actually listened to you. Hope they didn't bill you for the week that it took to come to your conclusion.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back on the road though.
The bill was reasonable. Hopefully no more problems.
DeleteHopefully that's the last mechanical issue you experience with that truck during this trip. Does your fridge not run on propane or electricity? When boondocking, we do propane and it seems to work so long as you're level.
ReplyDeleteThe refrigerator does run off of 110AC or propane. My thought was that if the solar was able to keep up, I could run it off of AC all the time.
DeleteGrrr, again, frustrating, but at least you have your truck back!
ReplyDeleteYes, frustrating. But at least it's done...
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