Solar Install: what would you change

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

The one misstep I made was to max out the capacity of the Blue Sky charge controller. I'd love to add more panels--but I can't without replacing the controller.

You can just "add" a smaller second controller for a minimal cost.

Chad Heiser wrote:

allen8106 wrote:
For only two panels I would wire them in parallel and forget the MPPT controller.

My recommendations:
Tr-Star TS-45 Controller
Magnum MS2012 inverter
Bogart TM-2030 Battery Monitor
2 Crown 6v batteries wired in series

These are good recommendations. However, if going with a Magnum inverter, I would use the Magnum BMK battery monitor instead of the Bogart Trimetric. They are both good, but the Magnum has more options and integrates with the inverter remote (so less to install).

Crown batteries are very good, but if you are looking for a less expensive quality battery, take a look at Fullriver.

Chad, good points sir. I actually have both the TM-2030 and the Magnum MC-RC50 remote because it allows me the option of turning the inverter off remotely if I wish.

Hi,

Not quite so simple.

My panels are no longer made and have diodes between each and every cell.

The input voltage is 33 so I needs must have an MPPT charge controller.

Where I reside it gets down to -40 and up to +40 c (104 f) so temperature adjusted charging is a MUST DO.

The OEM solar wiring is #10 so boosting amperage would require new heavier gauge wire.

If I were going to start over it would be to go to 1600 watts at a cost of $2 per watt on the solar side--and move to 48 volts, which means replacing the inverter/charger. I'd add a 48 volt dc to 12 volt dc converter for the "house" loads on the RV.

That is about $7000.00 plus installation costs.

allen8106 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

The one misstep I made was to max out the capacity of the Blue Sky charge controller. I'd love to add more panels--but I can't without replacing the controller.

You can just "add" a smaller second controller for a minimal cost.

canada_rokzz wrote:
I’m going to do a small solar install on my 5th wheel, and I am curious what you would change about your current setup. What did you do that was wrong, not good enough or just a minor annoyance.

My plan is two 100w semi flexible 12v panels wired in series to an MPPT controller

Hold it right there :)
Don't know whether I'll add something of value after some big guns said their piece, I didn't read all 4 pages, but...

1) There is not much need in good quality $$$ MPPT with mere 2*100 panels. OTH, low quality MPPT is not worth buying.
$50 Grape PWM from Home Depot will exceed your requirements, it will be rich in features and likely cheaper than a comparable MPPT. 2*100W can be wired in parallel with PWM, cable gauge may remain the same #10 (or you can get #8 MC4 if you like, it connects to standard MC4 panel fittings). On your small 2*100W system you will gain very little energy with MPPT , getting more panel wattage will work better.
Disclaimer: I have MPPT - but I DO need it, my panels are 500W total.

2) There is probably no benefit in semi-flexible panel compared to rigid, if your roof is the usual particle board.

3) What others said - get more solar wattage than you think you need. 200W in Northern Canada is very, very little.

4) To answer your question - No, I didn't do anything that was "wrong or annoyance or not good enough". No regrets about getting 30A MPPT Rogue - the best 30A MPPT available at that time. Thanks again to Don Piano for pointing me out this one. 500W array is "good enough" where I am, but it could've been better. You can't have too much solar.

What I would change in my solar... I would get better batteries than Chinese-made UPG. I would also get 100-200W more solar wattage, for total 600-700W, rather than my current 500W. (Though, this in turn would lead to bigger/costlier MPPT than my current 30A).