Learn about solar for rv's
Any suggestions about books for the novice DIY solar installer? I have searched but I don't get much from the subjects I try and I would like to learn a lot more than how to use my Deltran 15 watt ...
Forum Discussion
I don't think it would take a book to teach the basics of solar. I could do it in a few sentences.
You have the panels, the charge controller, the battery and the stuff you will be powering up.
Panels are pretty generic, so you can't go wrong. Mono is cheaper and Poly does a little better in the shade.
Big differences in the charge controllers. No controller and you will put too much current to the battery since most 12 volt panels put out 20 volts at peak. PWM controllers are cheaper, but the MPPT controllers are more efficient so can get more out of the panel than the PWM. With the MPPT you can put 24 volts (40 peak) through the controller and it will bring down the voltage to what it thinks the batteries need at that micro second in time. Your batteries will have a longer life too.
You will pay $100-250 for a good MPPT for your RV.
Batteries are different. You may already have some, so are stuck for now. If you are going to buy, skip the "marine" battery and get two 6-volt golf cart batteries which can handle being discharged many more times than marine. There are"group" batteries that are more $ but better for solar systems. Group 27 is one you will hear talked about a lot.
Two golf cart batteries are fine for the majority of RVers out there, and a 20 amp controller.
Then there is the wire. Use 10 gauge(or 8 if you have it) wire from the solar to the batteries for less losses.
!2-14 might be sufficient if you run your panels in series (positive to negative to positive to negative) to double or triple the voltage. The higher the voltage the smaller the wire can be.
With these simple topics you can do you non-google internet search and find plenty of info.
You have the panels, the charge controller, the battery and the stuff you will be powering up.
Panels are pretty generic, so you can't go wrong. Mono is cheaper and Poly does a little better in the shade.
Big differences in the charge controllers. No controller and you will put too much current to the battery since most 12 volt panels put out 20 volts at peak. PWM controllers are cheaper, but the MPPT controllers are more efficient so can get more out of the panel than the PWM. With the MPPT you can put 24 volts (40 peak) through the controller and it will bring down the voltage to what it thinks the batteries need at that micro second in time. Your batteries will have a longer life too.
You will pay $100-250 for a good MPPT for your RV.
Batteries are different. You may already have some, so are stuck for now. If you are going to buy, skip the "marine" battery and get two 6-volt golf cart batteries which can handle being discharged many more times than marine. There are"group" batteries that are more $ but better for solar systems. Group 27 is one you will hear talked about a lot.
Two golf cart batteries are fine for the majority of RVers out there, and a 20 amp controller.
Then there is the wire. Use 10 gauge(or 8 if you have it) wire from the solar to the batteries for less losses.
!2-14 might be sufficient if you run your panels in series (positive to negative to positive to negative) to double or triple the voltage. The higher the voltage the smaller the wire can be.
With these simple topics you can do you non-google internet search and find plenty of info.
