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
Jeez, the eternal question "when to run a generator"... Don't run it at all, get a proper size solar instead :)...
Seriously though - an average person will get an idea of the battery state by looking at the red/green light on the controller. If it goes into "green" at the very end of the day, you likely need to run a genny in the morning. If it goes into green by 1 pm and batteries at rest show less than 12.6V at any time later (especially if it is less than 24 hours after the end of charging), then you need to run a genny every time that controller gets into green after 12 pm. And so on.
Voltage at rest is the best indication, but without 24 hours rest it is not 100% accurate. When you have learned your pattern of use, you will know what voltage is "good" right after the end of charging. Red/green indicator is the second best - it shows approximate stage of charging.
Seriously though - an average person will get an idea of the battery state by looking at the red/green light on the controller. If it goes into "green" at the very end of the day, you likely need to run a genny in the morning. If it goes into green by 1 pm and batteries at rest show less than 12.6V at any time later (especially if it is less than 24 hours after the end of charging), then you need to run a genny every time that controller gets into green after 12 pm. And so on.
Voltage at rest is the best indication, but without 24 hours rest it is not 100% accurate. When you have learned your pattern of use, you will know what voltage is "good" right after the end of charging. Red/green indicator is the second best - it shows approximate stage of charging.
