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  1. W

    Buyer Beware

    I use Keepass. Its completely free and cross platform. I'm of two minds on 2FA. It's certainly better than having a single password used across multiple sites. But I'm concerned about the reliance in SMS for the second factor. It has become nearly trivial to I to intercept and reroute SMS...
  2. W

    Anyone have pix of how they mounted solar panels

    Here's what I've got: Landcruiser Solar Panels by WideAngleWandering, on Flickr Custom frame mounted to a custom rack using take-apart hinges so I can angle them at the sun, set them on the ground or just leave them flat while I'm driving.
  3. W

    My solar upgrade thread

    Answering my own question ... it disconnects LOAD from BATTERY. I was under the mistaken impression that the LOAD was isolated from BATTERY and powered only by PV. I'm not sure why I'd ever connect something to LOAD and not to my fuse panel wired off the battery.
  4. W

    My solar upgrade thread

    What is the purpose of the Low Voltage Disconnect in the Sunsaver 10L PWM controllers? I see they are sold both with and without LVD but I'm struggling to understand why you'd want the controller to disconnect (from the batteries?). I've emailed MorningStar and poured over their documentation...
  5. W

    My solar upgrade thread

    Yes but I'm considering an MPPT controller, and that's not going to come from MorningStar. If I go with a PWM controller, I'll get another SunSaver 10. It's affordable and I've had good experience. Budget is $200 for panels & any controller upgrades.
  6. W

    My solar upgrade thread

    The MorningStar MPPT is way outta my price range, especially considering the solar panels are not critical. That said, I hear you when it comes to quality components. The rebranded Steca MPPT controller may be a great value but I don't know much about any of the manufacturers. Not sure which...
  7. W

    My solar upgrade thread

    I see there is also an Instapark® MPPT-2010 12V/24V, said to be a rebranded Steca controller, for only $87. Perhaps an MPPT upgrade is the right way, though I don't know where I'd find the space to mount one of these. It doesn't look like it could handle being in the engine compartment and...
  8. W

    My solar upgrade thread

    That is helpful. The math is a bit loosey-goosey, but from what I can tell, a 10-amp PWM controller can handle ~150 watts (rated) from solar panels. I would definitely be over-subscribing my controller. Whether it could handle that or not is another question, but to be safe, it's time for an...
  9. W

    My solar upgrade thread

    My plan right now is to pick up another Sunsaver 10 and a 100 watt solar cynergy panel. I'll send 100 watts to each of the Sun Savers, so I'll have 2 solar "banks". This has the advantage of being cheap and it allows me to charge two battery banks independently or run them in parallel to...
  10. W

    How Do you Secure Expensive Camera Gear in Your Car while Travelling?

    I keep all my gear in a Pelican case, padlocked to a chain, which is in turn padlocked to a tie-down attached to the floor. I keep all this in an old truck that doesn't look like it's worth breaking into. The head unit space in the dash is deliberately open with wires hanging out. To the...
  11. W

    My solar upgrade thread

    The Prostar does look cool. and I like gauges and meters but the 30 is pricey for this project, especially considering my roof is about to be full of panels. It's not too likely that I'll go over 200 watts. The Prostar 15, however, is as cheap as $85 on Amazon. I could consider that route...
  12. W

    My solar upgrade thread

    What are you in favor of? I don't want to damage it experimenting, or worse, have it fail part-way through an upcoming trip. How would it clip the amperage? I imagine a fuse or something would blow, or a shunt would burn up, but I'm no expert on these things. I'm a bit confused about what...
  13. W

    My solar upgrade thread

    Howdy folks, I have a 20 watt mono and an 80 watt polycrystaline panel wired in parallel to a Morningstar Sunsaver 10. I've measured it at just over 6 amps in the past. I am using this panel to charge a Diehard Platinum 31M auxiliary battery and a Diehard Platinum starting battery through a...
  14. W

    FOUND Vans For Sale!

    I thought I was going to buy a van but it looks like I'm going to keep rolling in my 60 for a bit longer. Here are the vehicles I found: 1988 E350 6.9L IDI high roof. $5k in Beaverton: https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/4501626724.html 1996 E350 7.3L PowerStroke. $5800 or trade+cash in...
  15. W

    Time for a new project - the search is on

    So my diesel Landcruiser is down for engine repairs. I need something to drive in the meantime. So I thought ... why not start my next project? I have wanted to build a camper of some sort that's a bit more spacious than a 60 series landcruiser. I'm thinking an E350 is the way to go. I'm...
  16. W

    1987 Subaru GL 4WD wagon baja BUILT! 2.5L, 5-speed HI/LOW, lifted, snorkel, KM2s

    I just saw your note about being road-trip worthy so let me adjust my question ... what is it like in terms of heat/noise/vibration/comfort on a long drive in it's current condition? I'm pretty tolerant of discomfort but I'd need to get through 500-700 miles a day without hating life at the end...
  17. W

    1987 Subaru GL 4WD wagon baja BUILT! 2.5L, 5-speed HI/LOW, lifted, snorkel, KM2s

    What did you build this for? is it ready for a long roadtrip? I was on my way from Oregon to Illinois and back when my rig went down. It's stored now and I need to get back on the road. I'm considering flying somewhere, buying a car, continuing my trip and then either selling it or using...
  18. W

    Rack for HJ60 Hi-Roof

    You have a sun roof? Now I'm jealous. What kind of gutter mounts are you using?
  19. W

    Rack for HJ60 Hi-Roof

    I've been through several incarnations of roof rack (pics on mud). I started with a couple simple Yakima bars then went to a full basket (which had a nasty tendency to snag bamboo, parking garages, etc). So I removed the basket and two of the Yakima mounts so it was just big enough to hold...
  20. W

    Anyone have pix of how they mounted solar panels

    Mine are currently in a custom frame made of angle iron, with u-bolts to a pair of Yakima load bars. I'm in the process of rebuilding it to something lower profile. Wallowing by WideAngleWandering, on Flickr
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