What you can do with solar

RoyB wrote:
<>I'm sure once I start playing with the solar panels this exercise will become easier to do.
Roy Ken

Hi Roy. Pianotuna picked up the same statement, that I did and I am not sure I saw whether you answered his question about whether you mean 300w or 300AmpH per day use. That is a lot and my daily 150-200Amp use, I thought was a lot until I read your usesage. But then I did an energy audit and recorded my AmpH use for a year, to arrive at the design parameters I needed.

Like you, I used a generator for over two years to maintain my daily AmpH use. I learned a lot by actual use and conferring with other posters here, in this forum. I would suggest that your charging procedure and use of your generator and augmented Solar Charging is backwards. Let me try to explain, as there are many more qualified here to share.

You stated that you allow your Solar to charge during the day and then top off with your generator. Well, your generator is going to run FULL Throttle charging your batteries, whether they are 60% or 89%. Also, you should break your generator charging up in smaller periods, 1 to 1½ hr charging periods. (It has been found that your batteries will respond better to a shorter period than a long period.) At about 90% S.O.C. your generator, via aux charger (my preference) or House Convertor, is charging at a trickle rate, essentially never achieving 100% charge. Which, is ultimately a waste of your generator’s longevity and fuel.

A solar charger is going to taper your charge as the % charge increases; Bulk, Absorb, Float. Most well designed Charge Controllers have Temperature Compensation. A Solar Charge, when conditions allow, will charge your battery bank beyond 90% to a complete 100% charge, not realized by a generator.

This being equal, I would suggest you become more aware of your daily AmpH usesage and S.O.C. % of your battery bank (Tri-Star or other battery monitors) and begin forecasting what your needed charge for the following day. (Knowing the next day’s weather is helpful.) With this, make a determination on how long you need to run the generator AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY before your Solar takes over and finishes the job. With some diligence you will soon learn that you can accomplish your Battery Bank S.O.C. sooner and with less expense and maintenance of your generator.

It was very seldom that I ever ran my generator late in the day. When I did, it was mostly due to cold temperatures, unexpected cloud cover, smoke refracting the sun from nearby forest fires or I just didn’t have the time to run the generator. Learning a good charging routine freed me of a daily burden and concern, until I switched totally to a Solar routine. My generator is relegated now to my A/C or Microwave use (My battery bank supports both, but it takes precious AmpHs out of my battery bank that running a generator, for a few minutes, satisfies.)

Good luck and Happy Camping!

b