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pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
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Importing Solar System
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
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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too expensive for you to import easily...
figure 23% to import with broker
here is a good importer...
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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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
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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what size generator are you looking at...
diesel???
gas???
propane???
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Rainer
Junior Nomad
Posts: 65
Registered: 1-16-2007
Location: Las Cruces, NM
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Mood: Missing Baja
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| 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?
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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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...
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pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
too expensive for you to import easily...
figure 23% to import with broker
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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
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pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
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| 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.
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pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
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| 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
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pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
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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
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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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]
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pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
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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.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Never free on solar panels.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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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...
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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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"
$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
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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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.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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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
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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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
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Ford
Junior Nomad
Posts: 87
Registered: 1-2-2007
Location: Northern California
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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...
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
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Mood: Peacefull
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| 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... |
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 |
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
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