BajaNomad - Importing Solar System

Importing Solar System

pacside - 8-29-2008 at 01:31 PM

Hi Fellow Nomads,

We're in the process of determining our 100% off grid solar system for a 1600sf 2bd/2ba casa in Todos Santos area near the ocean. Prices in the states are about 50% less than in Baja.

Builder suggested we drive down the panels at least. Spoke with someone knowledgeable at a Solar reseller company and they say most of their Baja customers end up driving their entire systems down including the heavy batteries due to the cost savings.

Wondering if anyone has any experience doing this. Questions are:

1) Is it possible to rent a trailer and bring into Baja? We would be using our Toyota 4runner v8 4x4 to tow. I think (or hope) our 4runner has the towing capacity for about 4000lbs (batteries are heavy).

2) What are the import duties or taxes for bringing in solar equipment? What is the process...do we have completed paperwork before we arrive at the border or complete paperwork there?

3) Anyone have an opinion on Surrette batteries vs Trojan T105's?

I cannot believe the increase in lead prices over the last few years that have lead to battery price increases. These entire systems can be expensive. We will also be getting a backup generator....anyone have any recommendations on these?

Thanks a bunch,
pacside

Bob and Susan - 8-29-2008 at 03:36 PM

too expensive for you to import easily...
figure 23% to import with broker

here is a good importer...

MiramarCustoms.jpg - 30kB

Bob and Susan - 8-29-2008 at 03:38 PM

you could ship all the stuff to the import broker and
probably get the entire set up shipped to you for $1000
delivered to your door

the broker would arrange the shipping

maybe not worth the hassel of hauling the stuff yourself

Bob and Susan - 8-29-2008 at 03:43 PM

what size generator are you looking at...

diesel???
gas???
propane???

Rainer - 8-30-2008 at 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
too expensive for you to import easily...
figure 23% to import with broker

here is a good importer...

A US Customs Broker to import into Mexico? Am I missing something?

Bob and Susan - 8-30-2008 at 02:45 PM

yes...

on these big imports you actually need permission
to get the stuff out of the usa too...

its a process...

don't fight the wave...

pacside - 8-30-2008 at 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
too expensive for you to import easily...
figure 23% to import with broker

Thanks for the info...appreciate it. This is a good contact. Am I to assume if I try to do it myself I would pay more than 23% import duty? My husband really doesn't mind driving it down. Trying to find the most cost effective way.

tks pacside

pacside - 8-30-2008 at 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
what size generator are you looking at...

diesel???
gas???
propane???

I just assumed they were all propane.... was considering the kohler 10kw 1800 rpm liquid cooled one.

pacside - 8-30-2008 at 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
yes...

on these big imports you actually need permission
to get the stuff out of the usa too...

its a process...

don't fight the wave...

so assuming i we're to drive it myself i would first need permission from a us agency to export then pay import tax to a mx agency? i'm a bit confused here. what exactly would the process be if we wanted to bring it in ourselves and the fee?
tks again bob as I assume you have done all this already.
pacside

pacside - 8-30-2008 at 03:16 PM

so speaking about systems... i have local neighbors here in bay area telling us a 7kw/day system is basically useless and won't meet our needs.

otoh a good 7kw/day system is quite expensive and seems like it would more than suffice for our needs. anyone want to chime in here on the size of their systems?

we don't plan on having any t.v.'s, satellite connection, telephones, dryers etc. we do plan on having a washing machine, an electric frig/freezer, lights for a 2bed/2ba casa. seeing as we are also off grid re water we will have a water pump running as well to run our water to the house. we do plan on being as energy efficient as possible and not use too many appliances. is 7kw too small of a system?

thinking about 12 kyocera KD135 solar panels, 12 surrette 4 volt batteries, outback true vine invertor, controller and a back up generator. we will have max sun exposure.

we are far from choosing our system so are open to anyone's suggestions. we will have a 24x7 caretaker on duty (currently looking for one or a couple) as we will not be down all the time. this is on the beach in pescadero area.
tks
pacside

gnukid - 8-30-2008 at 03:20 PM

To import you go to the border and stop and declare the value of the imported items on the declaration form to declare and pay some amount between %20-%38 of the total, so if the items that you list are worth US$2000 you will pay US$400-700. The inspector will give you a signed form that they inspected and accepted the list and you go pay at the bank about 50meters away then come back and leave.

I am all for legal importations, but you also have the right to go camping and come back with all your stuff or to have an FM2-3 and bring it down temporarily and bring it back even years later. So you have some leeway. Just be honest and polite yet firm and the guys will be nice back usually, of course if you don't like it you can just turn around and leave and head back across another crossing or try later. I have seen people paying hundreds in importation fees for junk while others pay almost nothing for new stuff. It depends on how you present yourself and the value of the items.

You are allowed to bring items for replacement or repair up to $2000... with no imprortation. Just make it clear its for replacement/repair. Good luck.

[Edited on 8-30-2008 by gnukid]

pacside - 8-30-2008 at 03:31 PM

thanks gnukid.

would an fm3 allow free importation of a solar system or just for household goods? also i realize it has to be within 6 months of getting your fm3...which husband could do.

i do appreciate your other suggestions as well.

bajalou - 8-30-2008 at 03:38 PM

Never free on solar panels.

gnukid - 8-30-2008 at 04:38 PM

Its all up to interpretation, every camper brings solar panels and expects to bring them back too and most boaters need to replace their panels or repair parts. But things that are new looking and no evidence of it as repair parts, draws attention. It depends of course, but both arguments that you should pay and that you shouldn't are fairly equally arguable. Just give it a shot and be nice, do not get into a standoff. Also you may want to carry the 'receipts' since they may required to justify the stated expense or not... A little effort goes a long way--and always expect the strangest thing to happen, for example they will ignore certain items and hone in on obviously unimportant items, like a radio, satelite or expensive boating device goes by no problem bu they want you to pay for a chair... who knows. Just talk about family and friends and stay cool and it will go well, if not you can just try it again...

Bob and Susan - 8-30-2008 at 04:52 PM

lets do some math...

thinking about 12 kyocera KD135 solar panels,
$700 each = $8400

12 surrette 4 volt batteries,
$500 each = $6000

outback true sine invertor,
$2000 or more

controller
$400

and a back up generator.
$10,000
you need a forklift to put that thing on a trailer
it's really heavy
it's no honda eu2000

total cost $26,800

oh yea you need a "mate" :biggrin:

$300

total cost $27,100

that's quite a chunk of change

24% import fees = total $33,232

you NEED an import broker

you COULD haul it yourself
just get a good double axel trailer with high weight rated tires

for this 12v system you'll also need a "combiner box" and some "big a-s" wire to go from the solar panels to the controller

Diver - 8-30-2008 at 05:25 PM

http://www.rpc.com.au/products/efn/efnextracts/estima_rating...

Here is a good site that explains how to calculate you average daily draw in AH or watts.
Add all the wattages multiplied by the hours of use for each appliance.
Divide all by 12 to get AH of normal use.
Make sure your system is sized to also handle the occassional starting amps of you refrig-freezer (watts/12V=A) up to 10 times per hour.

Similarly, add up the instantaneous wattage draws including start-up and divide by 12V to get the amps needed from your generator.

Bob and Susan - 8-30-2008 at 05:58 PM

my advice...

get "hooked up"
you NEED internet when down here
the sat internet will act as a phone too

tv...60watts for a small flat screen
thats nothing
dvd player...same

and why have a washer WITHOUT a dryer???
you work hard...enjoy it
hang clothes???
conversion kit for natural gas to propane is about $70
very easy to do...one oriface to replace
susan did it

propane generator or diesel?
how available is propane???
the tank costs a lot
the propane generators use ALOT of propane
plus propane is EXPENSIVE!!!
diesel smells but is VERY easy to get

both are noisy

Bob and Susan - 8-31-2008 at 10:09 AM

my 35kg propane lasts about 5 months before i need to refill
so thats $7 a month

we do a load or more a day

gas dryers don't really take all that much propane
propane burns hotter than natural gas

i was surprised

we like the towels NOT to stand up in the closet :tumble:

Ford - 9-9-2008 at 12:11 AM

We tried very unsucessfully to bring our stuff down and "beat the system" It was a great learning experience! I still say never hurts to try! We loaded 90 panels 36 surrette batteries a 50 kw generator 3 huge pocket doors and about 60 other windows into an old piece of chit u-haul that we bought for like 5 g's. We figured there must be some way to get it in to Mexico, we are bringing stuff in not taking stuff out! How stupid could we be? Really! First mistake no trucks across in San Diego, they turned me around on I-5. What a sight a 26 foot u-haul turned around on I-5 and sent back through this little gate to get on the other side of the freeway.
Then we made our way to the truck crossing....We tried for 3 days to get that truck into Mexico and the final straw was they told us that if we tried again they may seize our goods. That was enough of a scare for us to bring it to the importers!!!
The funny thing about our experience was that it was never even an issue with what we had with us, it was the size of the truck. We needed some special license to bring a truck bigger than 17 feet. One guy told us that if you have a regular pick-up you can almost bring anything in no questions asked. That is why you see so many p-u trucks with homemade racks that pile stuff sky-high! Those are always fun to drive behind on the road down baja!!!
I know someone who brought small loads over bit by bit and kept it in TJ until the entire load was ready to drive all the way down. But if I were doing it all over again I would just pay the piper (importer). Cost us about $25,000 to the importer! OUCH!!!
Good Luck to you,
U to U me if u like and I will chat with you about it. We are nor-cal as well...

CaboRon - 9-10-2008 at 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pacside

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
yes...

on these big imports you actually need permission
to get the stuff out of the usa too...

its a process...

don't fight the wave...

You will most likely be asked at the time of purchase if the equipment will be leaving the country.

I am sure you were asked that question when you registered your computer also.

CAboRon

solar import

midwifevicki - 9-24-2008 at 11:56 PM

We hauled our own solar system, a very large 30 panels, 20 batteries, 2 inverted, wind turbines generator etc. We took most of it through Otay where you can each adult ring in a bout $2000 and they often counted our kids as adults. We had a 30 foot RV that hid many many items as part of the camping gear adn an open trailer. We always manufactured receipts for the items on the top. We gve them outr receipts and thay would inspect our cargo and we'd pay, what ever they wanted but I don't think that we ever paid 25 %. There were time when we crossed ar Tecate or San Ysidro and we declared stuff and tried to pay but they would only take a bribe. This in fact happedn with a load of solar panels. The guy would only let us through if we paid him a $100, which was quite cheap for the expensive panels. He insisted that they were heating filters. Okay, we didn't argue.
By the way we have 2 almost new 200 KW Aior Breeze 12 volt wind turbines that were put up at our house by mistake as we have a 24 volt system. We would be happy to pass them along for 1/2 price and they are already in Mexico, no border hassel.
We also hauled 30 Pella windows, 15 mahogonay door, and tons of stuff over the last five years. Be willing to pay and be polite and helpful and you should be able to take what you need down there. Oh, yeah, we often took things out of boxes. If thing s are used or only going to Mexico temporarily they don't charge you. There are so many crazy rules, you can never get a straight answer from the customs agents at the border but they almost always give you a better deal than the brokers.

12 volt wind turbines available

midwifevicki - 9-25-2008 at 09:34 AM

We did connect them in a series but decided to go back to the 24 volt after a series of other problems with the system, just to remove one variable when trouble shooting.

We put them up in July and will take them down next week. New each cost $ 600, so I would sell both for that.

Bob and Susan - 9-25-2008 at 05:15 PM

midwifevicki
could you recheck you unit

a 200 watt would go for about $600

a 200 kw would go for $2500

whats the model number??

Bajabus - 9-25-2008 at 05:40 PM

lordy I would not want to mess with it. Use an importer and you will pay about 25% including the shipping.

You can then also use the receipts for the legally imported items to manifest against your capital gains when you sell.

There are so many things that can go wrong driving down a heavy load like that...is it worth losing it all?

BTW we use Import/Export out of san diego
619-671-2324 Fax# 619-671-2325

[Edited on 26-9-2008 by Bajabus]