We Are Solar Powered!

Did you think we’d completely sold out to the 50 amp power pole?  Not entirely…Even though we’ve been tethered for a while now, the discussion of boondocking (also called dry camping) has not stopped.  We needed to gather our resources, do some research, then find the time and assistance to get ourselves more prepared. 

When we lived and worked here in Colorado Springs, we got to know Eric VanDenHoek and his wife, Madeline.  Eric and Madeline both worked for the Utilities where Jim and I also worked. One day, however, Eric quit his job there to devote his time to his new business venture, Turbo’s Mobile RV Repair.  Eventually, the business grew so much that Madeline also quit her job to help with the business.  Now, whenever we are in town and need work done on our Castle, we call Turbo’s.

Jim’s research of solar systems led him to AM Solar in Springfield, Oregon.  This company comes recommended by several of our friends, and once Jim checked a few other sources, he decided this was the company we wanted to do business with.  He called Eric and found that Turbo’s had not dealt with AM Solar before, but after a couple of phone calls, the deal was set up and a date chosen for installation.

Just about 9:30 this morning, I heard footsteps on the roof, and went out to investigate.  I found Eric and his tech, Aaron, had arrived and were getting things set up for the day:

 

Eric holds the first panel while Aaron looks on:

Notice that blue, blue sky?  That equaled a very sunny, hot day, I think the warmest yet this season!

Not a lot later, there are 3 panels on the roof.  Eric is checking it all out:

Soon, all four 100 Watt panels were up!  Yes, the panels can be used laying flat, tilted the way they are shown here, or tilted the other direction. 

Below, Eric looks over the wiring situation, preparing to pull cable:

On the opposite side of the Castle, the controller is installed in the upper left of the battery compartment:

Aaron is fishing more cable to Eric as he gets the Solar Monitor set up:

It was a very long, hot, hard day for Eric and Aaron, but our solar system was finally all installed and Turbo’s Mobile RV was ready to clean up and go home:

The next step for us is to test the system.  That will happen over the next few days. 

If you ever find yourself in the Pikes Peak Region and need service on your RV, we highly recommend Turbo’s.  They are fast, efficient, fair and honest.  Thanks, Eric, for a great job.

We are getting things done!  All the necessary medical, dental, etc., appointments, tests and check-ups are done!  But, we still have places to go and people to see.  As our time here gets short, it seems like the list stays about the same.  No matter, we can handle it all, but we’ll be ready to make sure the tires on the Castle are still round pretty darn soon!