Cab lighting and solar panel

Dedicated to the memory and knowledge shared by Jim Mettler - All things relating to the flow of electrons in a Pinz.
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eToothpaste
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed May 02, 2012 10:22 pm
Location: Fruita, CO

Cab lighting and solar panel

Post by eToothpaste »

In another thread I posted pictures of my new battery meters.

I also threw in a switch for some under-cabinet residential LED strips I had left over. They have sticky-tape that works great on the square tube of the bulkhead. Stayed stuck all winter (without power). Finally some cab lighting! These thing run 24vdc and are really bright.

ImageImage

I also finished my 200W solar setup with inverter. I mounted the panel with rubber isolation bushings so vibrations would be less jarring.

Image

Wiring is seriously stout: 6awg double insulated cable from the panel to charger/inverter. 2-awg from the batteries to the inverter. This stuff is cool; made for diesel locomotives. Handles vibrations and continuous flexing without any problems. The conductors are tinned, making recycling scrap relatively expensive which is how I picked it up cheaply.

Wiring should be big to reduce voltage losses. If you are building a solar setup, do not skimp on wiring. You could loose up to 30% of that valuable sun energy by trying to squeeze current through a 14 awg wire. Inverters can eat a lot of power too, and for that reason they also should have massive wires. If you have skinny wires to an inverter, your battery capacity (that the inverter can use) is effectively reduced by that amount of resistance.

My inverter is mounted on the back wall outside of the cab.

Happy trails!


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Matt

1972 710m
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HawaiianGauer
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Location: Prescott, AZ

Re: Cab lighting and solar panel

Post by HawaiianGauer »

VERY nice! Appreciate the details/lessons learned!

Couldn't help but notice your seats - would love to see a better pic, did they require custom mounting plates, and any other key thoughts/comments you have on them.

X
Mahalo for your assistance!

Harry X.
73 'Gauer 712M

check out the X-Gauer in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYj_UNQDgpM
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eToothpaste
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Joined: Wed May 02, 2012 10:22 pm
Location: Fruita, CO

Cab lighting and solar panel

Post by eToothpaste »

The seats are the Corbeau Moabs. They were mounted on the stock rails so they are really easy in and out without any modification to the truck. Mark mounted them awesome. I'm 6'1" and I can see out the front window without feeling too high at all.

http://corbeau.com/products/reclining_seats/moab/
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Matt

1972 710m
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eToothpaste
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed May 02, 2012 10:22 pm
Location: Fruita, CO

Cab lighting and solar panel

Post by eToothpaste »

Heres a pictire of the seats. download/file.php?id=1194
Matt

1972 710m
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pinzton
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Re: Cab lighting and solar panel

Post by pinzton »

eToothpaste wrote:
The seats are the Corbeau Moabs. They were mounted on the stock rails so they are really easy in and out without any modification to the truck. Mark mounted them awesome. I'm 6'1" and I can see out the front window without feeling too high at all.

http://corbeau.com/products/reclining_seats/moab/
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Hi , I just ordered the Corbeau seats; how did you mount them? Any bracket you ordered with them that you can recommend? Tips = appreciated, cant' wait to have them in :)
M Wehrman
United States of America
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Location: Gilbert, Az.

Re: Cab lighting and solar panel

Post by M Wehrman »

I know that truck! Painted it, installed Tim's rub rails and bumper and built the rack. I was wondering where it went....
Mark
Stock means no imagination!


Volvo TGB1317, .95% Morphed!



68 Haffy
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pcolette
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Re: Cab lighting and solar panel

Post by pcolette »

I'm pretty sure I know that truck too! I think I sold it to the owner that eToothpaste bought it from. Serial number ending in 45?
Paul C.
_________
'73 Swiss 710M
'89 Puch 230GE
M Wehrman
United States of America
Posts: 847
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:46 pm
Location: Gilbert, Az.

Re: Cab lighting and solar panel

Post by M Wehrman »

Not sure of the#,but his name is Josh
Stock means no imagination!


Volvo TGB1317, .95% Morphed!



68 Haffy
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pcolette
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Re: Cab lighting and solar panel

Post by pcolette »

Yup, I sold it to Josh. I bought it from I think the first US owner in Idaho.
Paul C.
_________
'73 Swiss 710M
'89 Puch 230GE
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