BoonHauler Solar Project
I told a few of you that I would post my Solar build here as well so here we go. I had originally planed for an 800 watt array but since then I decided to double the size and I'm now at 1650 watts....
Forum Discussion
In regards to the question about monitoring the system, when I get around to it (and it’s not very high on the priority list), is to network the two controllers with my on-board computer.
This will allow me to install Morningstar’s ‘MS View’ software. With their software I’ll be able to monitor power output as well as customize the charge profiles of each controller (the same profile for each controller). For now I’ve just set the controllers to one of Morningstar’s preloaded charge profiles for FLA batteries (Absorb stage 14.7 – Float stage 13.5 – Equalize stage 15.4).
All in all I think the solar system is just going to be operating in the background with the TriMetric battery monitor doing the bulk of the overall system monitoring. The nice thing about the parallel wiring is that it gives me a great deal of load control if I see the need for it in the future.
All network components are being roughed in right now and then down the road I’ll complete the installation and get the software up and running. You can see in the pictures with the front of the controllers open a yellow & blue LAN cable, one plugged into each controller. From the controllers the LAN cables go to a hub, in my case an old Linksys Router that I had laying around to act as the hub and from there up to the computer/entertainment center location.
Here’s a pic of the router installed. The light brown cable behind the router is the CAT5e cable that goes up to the entertainment center and still needs to be terminated.
I thought I’d throw this pic in as well; it’s the completed installation of the monitors and various switching.
This will allow me to install Morningstar’s ‘MS View’ software. With their software I’ll be able to monitor power output as well as customize the charge profiles of each controller (the same profile for each controller). For now I’ve just set the controllers to one of Morningstar’s preloaded charge profiles for FLA batteries (Absorb stage 14.7 – Float stage 13.5 – Equalize stage 15.4).
All in all I think the solar system is just going to be operating in the background with the TriMetric battery monitor doing the bulk of the overall system monitoring. The nice thing about the parallel wiring is that it gives me a great deal of load control if I see the need for it in the future.
All network components are being roughed in right now and then down the road I’ll complete the installation and get the software up and running. You can see in the pictures with the front of the controllers open a yellow & blue LAN cable, one plugged into each controller. From the controllers the LAN cables go to a hub, in my case an old Linksys Router that I had laying around to act as the hub and from there up to the computer/entertainment center location.
Here’s a pic of the router installed. The light brown cable behind the router is the CAT5e cable that goes up to the entertainment center and still needs to be terminated.
I thought I’d throw this pic in as well; it’s the completed installation of the monitors and various switching.
