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Old 03-14-2011, 11:35 AM   #4 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,515

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 52.48 mpg (US)
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The safe voltage of the panel will depend on the current output. Most commercial 12v panels seem to output ~19v in full sun, at ideal angles, which is fine at low currents (also typical of the size of commercial panels that would fit in/on a car) since you're unlikely to raise the system voltage significantly when the vehicle is operating/drawing power.

For an idea of electrical demands of a small car (Pontiac Firefly / Geo Metro), see this thread: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...olts-8908.html

And you're probably aware that if your panel is connected (however indirectly) to the battery when the vehicle is off, you'll want a charge controller to prevent overcharging.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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