Saturday, March 7, 2020

Solar Installation

Location:  RV Connection parking lot, Yuma, Arizona

Last night I had everything stowed away and only needed to connect the Jeep.  Elva sent me a message last night asking if I felt the 5.5 earthquake near where I'm parked.   I was outside around 9 o'clock putting things away and didn't feel a thing.  Darn, that close and nothing.

I set the alarm for 6:30 but by 6:00 I was already wide awake and ready to roll.  It was still dark outside so I packed everything inside the WL and by the time I finished it was light.  So, I hooked the Jeep and we were on the move by 7:30.
Yuma with the sun rising over Pilot Knob Mountains.
Wasn't long before I was in Yuma, but I wanted to dump tanks, take on water and put another $100 of diesel fuel in.  Stopped at Love's which was right on the way to my destination.  

The fuel and dumping went quickly, but the water was a different story.  With a 100 gallon tank, it takes forever to fill.  In fact, when it got to be 9:15 and it had not filled, I quit and headed on to RV Connection just a few miles further.  Got there at 9:30 for my 10 o'clock appointment.

It was about 10:00 when Tom, the owner of RV Connection came out and started immediately getting the layout of the White Lion and bringing everything outside.

  I was amazed at how quickly he determined how it was to be done and he and his son, Jordan started placing the six panels on the roof.
Jordan passing panels to his Dad, Tom.

Installing panels.
By noon, they had the panels in place and wiring running down to the inside.  Then Tom selected a bay and started placing the two 40 watt controllers and running the wiring from them to the next bay where the 2000 watt inverter was being placed.  All the equipment and panels are made by Go Power and Tom says they have a great warranty.



Six 190 watt panels done.  the first one on the left is the original panel and is not being used.
While Tom worked, me and Yuma took walks and laid around in the WL staying out of the heat.  Only got to 80 today but felt hot out there.  Ate breakfast and a big lunch.  Probably just have a light dinner tonight.  No grilling.  :((  

There is a vacant RV park just to the East of RV Connection.  Some old RVs are still sitting there.  Not sure if they are occupied or not.


Daytime full moon.
Tom worked on the wiring and by 6 o'clock we were ready to switch it on for a test.  Everything came on except the refrigerator.  The one thing I really need.  It had been wired in 2016 and Tom had to figure out which circuit they connected it to.  After about a half hour of testing he finally figured it out and now the fridge is on solar.
Glad Tom knows what he's doing.  I sure don't.
Tom had to leave for a family event at 7 o'clock.  He left me with working electricity running off batteries.  He will return in the morning to add the inside monitors and button everything up.  I should be ready to roll sometime tomorrow.  

I must say Tom worked hard and fast all day from 10 in the morning till 7 in the evening with a quick lunch break.  I can tell he knows what he is doing and has installed many of these systems.  I'm a happy camper at this point.

The road next to this place is very busy and noisy.  Hope I'll be able to sleep tonight.

See you later.  

18 comments:

  1. It sounds like everything is going well with the install. Tom seems to really know his business. Yay!
    You finally have a working fridge! Almost a full moon. Very pretty.

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    1. Still not a full moon! Sure looks full to me. Glad to have a working fridge but will wait before putting my food in it. Tom may have to turn things off tomorrow to finish up.

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  2. Glad you got in early so you can have a fridge. You will love having the suns power at the flip of a switch. Good luck with it.

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    1. Thanks Lorne. I'm excited to see how things work out.

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  3. That solar installation is a major hurdle and it will be nice to get that behind you and stroked off the 'to-do' list. Now you can go where and when you want with a very much upgraded degree in comfort. We loved our solar systems over the year and never once regretted having them installed.

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    1. Thanks Al. Can't believe after six years of going with one portable 100 watt solar panel I've finally done it. Better keep the White Lion because I can't afford to do it again :))

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  4. That's great your able to get the work done earlier than expected and sounds like you have the right people doing it! Quite a bit of work it looks like. Good to hear your sugar level is staying good and you're able to eat the things you want. Take care enjoy the warmth. Think it's suppose to get in the 60s here today but windy of course. 😕

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    1. Thanks Steve. Love you new little doggies. They look so sweet and wide eyed. Yep, before long you'll be back to cutting grass. :))

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  5. How cool is that! I love it when you get an installation guy who knows what the heck he's doing! So excited you get your fridge back. No more ice box!!

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    1. Thanks Nancy. I never understand why you can never find what you want in an ice chest. No more digging forever for the Mayo :)). Yeah!

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  6. Great to see this almost complete, you will be all set to dry camp anywhere. We have had Go Power equipment for 5 years now, with no issues. all the best Doug, safe travels.

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    1. Thanks Bill. Good to know Go Power has such a good reputation. Enjoy Bullhead City.

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  7. Congratulations!! A working residential fridge! I'm glad this is the decision you went with, you (and Dolly) will love all that room as much as we do.
    Tom sounds and looks quite knowledgable and the panels look great up there!
    Yup, W.L. is definitely smiling!

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    1. Thanks, Patsy. Tom is very fast and efficient. No dawdling in this guy. The White Lion is going to roar in the Sun today!

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  8. So nice to have major project done! Some less than ideal weather coming for solar, might be a good test.

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    1. Thanks Jeff. Been awhile since my batteries have had a deep charge. Hopefully today. Then they will be ready for a test.

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  9. Glad to hear your solar installation went well... and now a working fridge wherever you roam! Enjoy!
    Kim

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    1. Thanks Kim. All done except for ordering a transfer switch. Be in on Tuesday and I'll be ready to move. This gives me Two nights for testing before I leave.

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