So, what have I learned ?
So, what have I learned from testing my solar panels over the last few days, and what works and what doesn't? At least I've been fortunate enough to have 4-5 days of cloudless blue sky, so I have background information that hasn't changed.
1....I've learned that the app on my phone that tells me what my solar panels and batteries are doing is giving me accurate information, since I've now tested it with a physical multimeter, which provides real-world information.
2....By poking around on the roof, I have determined that all five of my 100-watt solar panels are still hooked up and working. I installed them about two years ago, and a lot can change in two years of bouncing down dirt roads.
3....I've determined that 500 watts of solar panels do not give you 500 Watts of power. I knew that already, but I don't think I realized the extent to which all the variables can make a difference. And since I had more than enough solar panels on the roof of the Arctic Fox, I had no reason to try to maximize what was on the roof of the Fox, or even care.
4.... I have always known that the winter sun is low on the horizon, and you don't get nearly what your solar panel should be putting out. But I had never paid attention to the extent of what was happening until I had to deal with a very limited number of solar panels that would fit on the roof of a truck camper.
5....By looking at the roof during the peak of sunshine every day, I could easily see that, thanks to the air conditioner, the refrigerator vent on the roof, the vent fans, and various vent pipes sticking up above the roof, there was some amount of shade cast on most of the solar panels throughout the day. This wasn't a big problem with the Arctic Fox because the roof was large enough on a 30-foot-long fifth wheel that I kept the solar panels away from the things I just mentioned when I installed them.
6....I learned that the app on my phone gave me a lot more information than I even realized...Or cared about, so I never paid any attention to it until now.
So that covers most of what I've learned. The next question is: what will I take from that information to try to fix the problem? But since this is getting too long, I'll write about that tomorrow.
Theboondork
Last night had a pretty nice sunset. Nothing spectacular, but it was worth taking pictures of.
I'm very lucky to have a nice sunset, because most days are cloud-free here in Ajo.
I think I'll have better luck in Yuma, Arizona. It's supposed to have a week of cloudy weather, and I'll be lacing up my traveling shoes and heading that way tomorrow morning.