Just Starting Solar Research
Man, there's a lot to read and digest with possibly installing a small solar panel. I very recently replaced my original 1-stage converter/charger with the Progressive Dynamics PD4600 series conve...
Forum Discussion
On a camp in Baja there will be hot showers in some places, and cold in others. Solar won't help with water heating.
Agreed with BFL - there is probably enough space on the roof for more than one panel, and for complete setup you would need more batteries. 2*130W flat mounted will collect enough for LED lights and small electronics. Rain doesn't happen there in winter, but occasional cloudy days necessitate a little more than one battery.
The last item - 16ft tray cable - is unnecessary unless it has crocodile clamps for battery. If it doesn't, you can get 12ft booster cable , cut the crocodiles off on one end, and connect it permanently to controller Out posts.
"Solar cable", OTH, will be useful and you might need a second one. You cut one in half, connect bare ends to controller IN, and other ends will have MC4 connectors to connect to the panel. If panel has MC4 pigtail, then you don't need a 2nd MC4 cable. If it doesn't, then you cut the 2nd MC4 cable in half and do the same thing as you did with controller - connect it to the panel posts. In the end, you will have a pigtail with MC4 connectors from controller, and same pigtail with MC4 from the panel.
Agreed with BFL - there is probably enough space on the roof for more than one panel, and for complete setup you would need more batteries. 2*130W flat mounted will collect enough for LED lights and small electronics. Rain doesn't happen there in winter, but occasional cloudy days necessitate a little more than one battery.
The last item - 16ft tray cable - is unnecessary unless it has crocodile clamps for battery. If it doesn't, you can get 12ft booster cable , cut the crocodiles off on one end, and connect it permanently to controller Out posts.
"Solar cable", OTH, will be useful and you might need a second one. You cut one in half, connect bare ends to controller IN, and other ends will have MC4 connectors to connect to the panel. If panel has MC4 pigtail, then you don't need a 2nd MC4 cable. If it doesn't, then you cut the 2nd MC4 cable in half and do the same thing as you did with controller - connect it to the panel posts. In the end, you will have a pigtail with MC4 connectors from controller, and same pigtail with MC4 from the panel.
