Getting to "Full" with Not Enough Solar
More on camping tactics etc to try to get batts full while off-grid and not enough solar per PT's "rules" (PT says you need at least 60w solar per 100AH of battery to "equalize" that day sometime b...
Forum Discussion
Hi KJ,
I did qualify my statement with the first paragraph saying battery charging.
The sixty watt number works for 10 months of the year where I live, provided the panels are not covered in snow. In December and January there are simply not enough hours per day. But on Dec 21 I do get 17 amp-hours of charging, which is enough for maintenance.
I still think 100% state of charge is the goal for battery charging.
Of course there are other approaches. Like adding a solar "wing" for directly powering from solar.
Today I found that I was covering parasitic loads by 90 minutes after sunrise.
The best advice I've seen is here:
http://www.jackdanmayer.com/rv_electrical_and_solar.htm#The%20Golden%20Rules
I agree pretty much with all of what is there with the minor exception of battery wiring. He doesn't mention balancing the wiring for that purpose. It is a tiny bit dated as well.
I did qualify my statement with the first paragraph saying battery charging.
The sixty watt number works for 10 months of the year where I live, provided the panels are not covered in snow. In December and January there are simply not enough hours per day. But on Dec 21 I do get 17 amp-hours of charging, which is enough for maintenance.
I still think 100% state of charge is the goal for battery charging.
Of course there are other approaches. Like adding a solar "wing" for directly powering from solar.
Today I found that I was covering parasitic loads by 90 minutes after sunrise.
The best advice I've seen is here:
http://www.jackdanmayer.com/rv_electrical_and_solar.htm#The%20Golden%20Rules
I agree pretty much with all of what is there with the minor exception of battery wiring. He doesn't mention balancing the wiring for that purpose. It is a tiny bit dated as well.
KJINTF wrote:
Hi PT
Folks look at the "whole idea of solar" many different wayspianotuna wrote:
Since the whole idea of solar is to get to 100% state of charge so there is not much point in having more wattage.
A few of the different view points include
"Battery Charger" - "Battery Augmentation" - "Power Source" - etc..
Do your % #'s take into account
Seasonal weather conditions, camping locations and styles, loads, etc. Not sure how a % of battery amp/hr can be attributed to a PV array that covers all conditions or even a small portion of the infinite possible conditions.
We all know each user has different expectations
