high voltage solar panels?
Has anyone experimented with high-voltage solar panels on their RV? I'm thinking along the lines of the 250-300+ watt panels that output 40-60 volts, versus the little 25-100 watt 12 volt panels typi...
Forum Discussion
I wonder about the 20a limit during cloud effect. Get lots of that around here (can see 9 or 10a instead of 8 on PWM for a few minutes at a time), but JiminDenver camps above the clouds, so he wouldn't have that info I guess. :) I don't have info on Voc during cloud effect that raises the amps. ?
Using the 20% margin "rule" a 20a controller would go with an "expected amps" of 16a. With PWM 12v that would be 230/130 x 8.2 = 14.5a. Forum members report getting 15ish amps from panels about that size with MPPT, so that should all work.
Some have those 15L controllers though , which clip at 15, so they would not have that problem anyway. I wonder if the Eco-worthy also clips, but at 20a. If it does, then you could go higher in expected amps right to 20, no margin. But now you are pushing the Voc limit as Jim says.
The Eco-worthy controller has its panel on it, so it would be better to have it inside where you can get at it and see it. That makes it farther from the batteries. However, it also lets you jack up the Vabs to make up for any voltage drop from the controller to the batts. Be a temp diff inside vs outside at times too.
Yes, you can have more solar than needed, which just gets the batts done way early in the day, unless you increase your AH use. I like a swivel contraption for those half days of sun we get quite often. Here that can be morning or afternoon.
Using the 20% margin "rule" a 20a controller would go with an "expected amps" of 16a. With PWM 12v that would be 230/130 x 8.2 = 14.5a. Forum members report getting 15ish amps from panels about that size with MPPT, so that should all work.
Some have those 15L controllers though , which clip at 15, so they would not have that problem anyway. I wonder if the Eco-worthy also clips, but at 20a. If it does, then you could go higher in expected amps right to 20, no margin. But now you are pushing the Voc limit as Jim says.
The Eco-worthy controller has its panel on it, so it would be better to have it inside where you can get at it and see it. That makes it farther from the batteries. However, it also lets you jack up the Vabs to make up for any voltage drop from the controller to the batts. Be a temp diff inside vs outside at times too.
Yes, you can have more solar than needed, which just gets the batts done way early in the day, unless you increase your AH use. I like a swivel contraption for those half days of sun we get quite often. Here that can be morning or afternoon.
