Solar options, quick review requested

azrving wrote:
6's are taller, will they fit? Rule of thumb 100 to 150 of panel to 100 ah of battery but you cant have too much. If I was building from scratch, even if you dont put all the panel up there now, size components for expansion. It's very common for people to want more.

When running on generator you want a good converter that will do 14.8 volts. You also want a full feature solar controller with voltage adjustment, temperature compensation and equalize.

Probably looking at a custom rack welded to the frame.

Yes I would definitely leave space for more.

Have been disappointed to find I only upgraded to a 3 stage converter. They claim 14.4, I guess it does that for a while.

The low charging voltage is what made me start looking at solar again, after I came across this:

"The biggest problem with this so called battery charger, is the charge voltage is preset to a safe zone voltage of 14.4v, and will only hold that voltage for a very short time at best. Then it will drop to a float charge (battery voltage maintainer) at 13.6v long long long before the battery is actually charged. If you have a flooded battery you add water to, they need to charge at 14.8v (check with your specific battery manufacture) in order to get fully charged, and usually that voltage will hold for 2-4 hours before it goes to a float charge of 13.6v. Even if you're plugged into shore power, or running the genset for 8-12 hours, or 6 months, you will NEVER EVER get your batteries 100% fully charged, and are slowly killing them. This is why Solar is far superior to your converter, and will actually charge your battery bank 100%."

http://www.offthegridrvs.com/solar-school-s/136.htm

Looking at the Victron BlueSolar models.

Thanks.