DX grunt... in the flesh

Interesting to see how you go with all this Rossco and get some feedback too mate...lol

I need to head down this path in the next 12 months with the camper and I know ZIP about solar!

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Originally Posted by DX grunt

Another couple of mods........

Today, I paid for and received a Steca solar regulator, and tomorrow I'm buying a Deca Intimidator RV fully sealed Glass Matt Battery.

Wife is adamant that the solar panels aren't going on the roof. Damn!! Sooooo, I'm looking for a free standing A frame. Not happy, but will get used to it I guess.

In her defence, my neighbour used his multimeter in a trial and it definitely helps to have them angled.

Are you reading this, Jon!!!! It's nearly there.

Just had a look at a latest catalogue and my panels have been superceeded, already!!! BP now make 130w panels, not 125w. Doh.

Take care out there.

Rossco

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Good stuff ole mate. The Steca's are a top reg mate good choice, also i don't like to admit it but your missus is right, although 2 x 125 w panels should give ample power even when not sun chasing [mounted on the roof].

Like i've said before mate simply one of the best ute/camper setups out there.

Thanks guys.

I'm still a bit nervous about going completely independent with solar, so until I'm confident, the old 750w 2 stroke genny will still be tucked away in the back of my truck. lol

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Originally Posted by DX grunt

Thanks guys.

I'm still a bit nervous about going completely independent with solar, so until I'm confident, the old 750w 2 stroke genny will still be tucked away in the back of my truck. lol

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whats the scouts motto Bro????............. It never hurts to be hay.....

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Originally Posted by macca

Like it mate, good you can get it in and out "easy".

Mate you will have it set up in 20mins flat in no time. Marking stuff "dis goes wid dat" will speed thing up like you said.

Good stuff Rosco.

By the way seen them trees near Geraldton, holy piss the wind must blow a lot there. :jawdrop:

Macca

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The wind is that strong up there sometimes, I've known it ta blow the dog straight off the chain lol.

You have done a bloody great job there Ross, enjoy it mate and if (when) you get stuck just give me a call and the Q will be there to recover you.......LOLOLOLOLOL

Woops just remembered that the Q is still broken, better not call me................NOT LOLOLOLOL now

I'm getting excited. Finally get the solar put on tomorrow! Only 16 sleeps to go befoire holidays start - unless the boss changes the roster, then it'll be 18!

So looking forward to hols. Last had them wayyyyyy back in February.

I'm more than impressed with my Marine Deep Cycle Battery - it;s so much easier than carrying a genny and 2 stroke fuel around everywhere.

Pics to follow - Paul. lol

Take care out there.

Rossco

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Originally Posted by dx grunt

i'm getting excited. Finally get the solar put on tomorrow! Only 16 sleeps to go befoire holidays start - unless the boss changes the roster, then it'll be 18!

So looking forward to hols. Last had them wayyyyyy back in february.

I'm more than impressed with my marine deep cycle battery - it;s so much easier than carrying a genny and 2 stroke fuel around everywhere.

Pics to follow - paul. Lol

take care out there.

Rossco

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youll enjoy your camping a lot more now you dont have to worry about
the geni and extra fuel

Good to see it coming togeather for you.
Where are you going? How far away? 4WDing? How long? Fishing gear? Camera?
You know all the nosey stuff.
Macca

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Originally Posted by macca

Good to see it coming togeather for you.
Where are you going? How far away? 4WDing? How long? Fishing gear? Camera?
You know all the nosey stuff.
Macca

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This will be the inaugural big trip of my truck going totally solar. I'm going to a beach side location about 120k's from home, that has a free gas bbq and a drop dunny.

I'll still be taking enough stuff to be totally independent - just in case I have to move, should my camping spot be inundated with drunken, rowdy tourists for xmas/new year.

I'll be there for nearly 2 weeks by myself, then I'll have to zip home and pick the missus up. Hopefully my 2 youngest boys (16 & 18) will be coming too. So we'll be there for Xmas and New Year's Eve.

Well and truly in preparation mode at the moment. Annex is set up in the front yard - all I've gotta do is to mark the poles and fold it up.

I've got so many things I want to do before I go away, but things are really expensive.

I've found a local shop that has fridge slides to hold my 95lt fridge - $345 plus postage. Love Rottodiver's roof slide for his solar panels. I want one. lol

I need to sort out my camp lighting. Got a couple of LED's but need to hook them up. I need a decent inverter, too. And lots of plugs/powerpoints. And, and, and,

The list goes on and on. I'm very happy with my set up. Need a couple of major mods done to be happier to make my truck more OSH friendly. lol

I'm going to take my lappy, so I'll be able to talk to the outside world - once I get on top of a big hill. lol

The only piece of recovery gear I don't have is an exhaust jack. That's on the wishlist. I love my maxtrax. Saved my backside a couple of 'practice' times.

I need water storage. Does anybody have a ute with water storage behind the seats? You know, those long skinny tanks. Still coming to terms with the price of them!

Oh well, off on a 300k round trip to get the solar hooked up. I'm getting excited - 15 more sleeps to go before hols.

Fishing will be my main entertainment while I wait for my solar water bags to heat up. lol Got 4kg of mulies to keep me occupied.

I'm willing to take my camera if you want to see pics of me in my MAMIL (Middle Aged Man in Lycra) uniform. lol

I will be taking my truck on the beach, but I've got a golden rule of never going there alone. Always take a Yota so you can recover it! lol

Take care out there.

Rossco