Calling on Solar Techies
I have been thinking of going solar for some time and decided to pull the plug. My wants are a 400 to 500 watt system. I have four 12 volt batteries with 340ah. I am not planning on changing b...
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WOW ! We have a bunch "negative Nancies" here ! The "devil is in the details".
The heavy duty loads are the coffee maker and the micro wave.
The basic Mr. Coffee 12 cup coffee maker draws 900 watts. The 6 cup, only 600 watts.
A full size microwave uses about 1200-1500 watts. Smaller ones can be under 1000 watts. Most microwaves draw full power for some period of time even when set at 50%. They then shutdown for some period of time so the item being cooked does not overheat.
A couple of years ago, Panasonic came out with an "inverter" microwave. Its benefit is 50% means 50% power consumption continuously ! So if you want to cook something on full power, you will have to use your generator.
That sounds like a long time. I would expect with your current batteries that they should be fully recharged in less than 2 hours. If you have the original converter/charger, I'll bet there are better ones out there.
You are ALWAYS going to need a generator as a backup ! Don't leave home without it ! The question is, how much will you need it ? This is where a good battery monitor (like the Victron I linked before) is important.
With 480 amp-hours of battery, you should have enough energy left in the morning to make coffee and warm up some pastries WITHOUT having to fire up the generator. Late afternoon/early evening, check the monitor. If your batteries are not 100%, fire up the generator.
Here is an important detail about the Samlex EVO 1212
I will also do a 3 step "smart charge" at up to 60A !
Sorry I can not be more helpful on recommending solar panels, but Victron makes very good charge controllers. Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75V 10 amp Solar Charge Controller with Bluetooth
Those two items would cost you about $830. That leaves you $670 for solar panels and wiring.
EDIT :
I forgot the Victron SmartShunt Battery Monitor - $130 Amazon
1L243 wrote:
Must haves are.
3 minute electric coffee maker once a day
Small microwave 2 minutes 3 times a day
satellite dish 4 hrs a day
40" tv 4 hrs per
24" tv 4 hrs per day
Led lighting
The heavy duty loads are the coffee maker and the micro wave.
The basic Mr. Coffee 12 cup coffee maker draws 900 watts. The 6 cup, only 600 watts.
A full size microwave uses about 1200-1500 watts. Smaller ones can be under 1000 watts. Most microwaves draw full power for some period of time even when set at 50%. They then shutdown for some period of time so the item being cooked does not overheat.
A couple of years ago, Panasonic came out with an "inverter" microwave. Its benefit is 50% means 50% power consumption continuously ! So if you want to cook something on full power, you will have to use your generator.
1L243 wrote:
I would have to run the generator 4hrs a day to maintain batteries.
That sounds like a long time. I would expect with your current batteries that they should be fully recharged in less than 2 hours. If you have the original converter/charger, I'll bet there are better ones out there.
1L243 wrote:
If I can't do a solar system under $1500 to power my basic needs I may have to go with a hybrid plan of solar plus generator.
You are ALWAYS going to need a generator as a backup ! Don't leave home without it ! The question is, how much will you need it ? This is where a good battery monitor (like the Victron I linked before) is important.
With 480 amp-hours of battery, you should have enough energy left in the morning to make coffee and warm up some pastries WITHOUT having to fire up the generator. Late afternoon/early evening, check the monitor. If your batteries are not 100%, fire up the generator.
Here is an important detail about the Samlex EVO 1212
I will also do a 3 step "smart charge" at up to 60A !
Sorry I can not be more helpful on recommending solar panels, but Victron makes very good charge controllers. Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75V 10 amp Solar Charge Controller with Bluetooth
Those two items would cost you about $830. That leaves you $670 for solar panels and wiring.
EDIT :
I forgot the Victron SmartShunt Battery Monitor - $130 Amazon
