Added Some Boondock

starcraft69 wrote:
Looks good fallowing for results

Some things I learned 9 days dry camping....

The majestic view camping spot on the FR9350 at the end of May did not have the same "sun" as the end of Aug. I camped in the exact same spot "pure luck" in the exact footprint. In May I had sun on the front of the TT all day. This time I didnt by about 5 feet. Only 4 hours of direct sun and shade from the trees (sun at different angle May vs Aug). When I got to the campsite it was Pouring cats and dogs and after setup I didnt notice till the next day.....I was NOT re-setting up everything, lol. Busted out the portable 100 with 50' cables to supplement.

Shading from trees will turn 22 amps into 6 or less. Really overcast about to rain still put out impressive 14-19 amps if no tree shade.

I ran an 80 quart freezer and 45 Engel as fridge avg 4.5 amps/hr every 24 hours, or about 110 amps per day.
That little 100 portable really saved me from dipping below 50% after microwave and coffee maker every day since it was getting 10 hours at about 6 amps.

qtla9111 wrote:
Wonderful freedom that solar allows us. You did a great job.

Can I ask you, What type of antenna do I see on your roof? Does it replace the bat wings?

Bigfoot came with hidden internal antenna from the factory. I added that one (RCA I think) a few years ago but it wont get any channels up on the Mogollon Rim near Payson AZ. I just bought a goofy looking motorized ray gun looking antenna for $33 and up there it got 38 channels over 100 miles from the Phoenix towers through the big mountains. Very pleased with it. Antenna

Gjac wrote:
That is a very nice setup you built. I always wondered how much more efficient the tilted panels are over flat? Also if you park in the shade of trees what does that do to the efficiency?

Early morning tilting can be 15-30% more power than flat.
Have not had true shading test yet, however almost every day since last week it has been REALLY overcast/rain. I was shocked that the 9.77 Amp short circuit and 24.06 Open circuit Voltage panels were delivering 20.3 amps according to the MPPT controller. It really shines in overcast conditions. When full sun and really hot panels it puts out 19-20 amps.....losing efficiency due to AZ heat but better than with PWM.

Wonderful freedom that solar allows us. You did a great job.

Can I ask you, What type of antenna do I see on your roof? Does it replace the bat wings?

That is a very nice setup you built. I always wondered how much more efficient the tilted panels are over flat? Also if you park in the shade of trees what does that do to the efficiency?

Ok I see. Yes 315 is good and it's great if you can place your extra panels out in the sun. You have plenty of power.

rjxj wrote:
Very nice job. Neat and clean install. I dont usually invert to heavy stuff but do seem to notice that people mention having even more batteries than that if inverting heavy. Not raining on your parade but I also remember helping a guy in a campground with a dead bank of four gc2. He was baking cakes and stuff. It's one thing to warm a coffee in the micro for seconds vs cooking something. I'm running six GC2 and iirc my toaster pulls about 80 to 90 amps dc on my Xantrex prowatt 2000.

Your old gc2 were about 200 amp hours and your new agm are 210 yet you will do better when pulling heavy amps off the agm vs the gc2 as I understand it. You will know when you watch your voltage. You will love the solar. I was checking each photo to see where the next 360 watts of panels are going. :)

Yeah, now with the extra 2 I have a total of 3 batteries. Should be about 315AH. Solar was putting out about 18-22 amps so far, even when overcast. Need to check the accuracy of the controller vs clamp on meter. Got the panels on sale $199 each. I still have 2-50 watt panels (folding) and 2-100 watt that I will use for extra boost or if in the shade with some 50ft extension MC4 cables in series.
Im just happy I dont have to lug around temp panels and set them up, same with extra batteries and leaving them on the ground exposed to eyeballs.
I think the coolest part is the 40 amp breaker (fuse type) that you can turn on and off.....bat first then panel. Didnt have to do extra disconnect switches.

Very nice job. Neat and clean install. I dont usually invert to heavy stuff but do seem to notice that people mention having even more batteries than that if inverting heavy. Not raining on your parade but I also remember helping a guy in a campground with a dead bank of four gc2. He was baking cakes and stuff. It's one thing to warm a coffee in the micro for seconds vs cooking something. I'm running six GC2 and iirc my toaster pulls about 80 to 90 amps dc on my Xantrex prowatt 2000.

Your old gc2 were about 200 amp hours and your new agm are 210 yet you will do better when pulling heavy amps off the agm vs the gc2 as I understand it. You will know when you watch your voltage. You will love the solar. I was checking each photo to see where the next 360 watts of panels are going. :)

Looks good fallowing for results

Nice job