Looking To Add Solar Down The Road
I am planning on adding solar down the road from now. Would like to see if I am on the right tract. I want to install three Kyocera 140 watt panels flat on top. Wired in parallel to a BlueSky 2000E, t...
Forum Discussion
The 105 and 1275 have the same 14.8 but the 105 is a 6 and the 1275 is a 12. For various reasons, not (all) understood by me, 6s are easier to charge. It is not just the 1275, but also that "screwy 31" and my old 27s.
My GC2-XHDs and Exide 135s are the same as 105s for charging and they are the ones I am comparing my 1275s with. Lots of experience with these now, so it is real. IMO the 105 will be the same as the GC2 XHD and the Exides compared with the 1275.
Not to say don't get 1275s. They work great. Just be aware they need more effort than 6s to keep them in good shape. You need the right charging equipment and use your hydrometer or you will be sorry.
Yes, the Solar30 turns out to be a terrific controller with adjustable voltage and an ammeter (very rare feature!) that can do deep cycle batts that need 14.8-15v. Niner steered me onto that one--thank-you!!!
Looking back at my solar adventures so far, it appears I should have quit while I was ahead with the 130 and the 120 for 250. Only diff, is I would prefer the Solar30 to the LandStar 20 amper I had then, but it is a very nice controller too. ( It goes to 14.6, stays there two hours and then drops to 13.8 float till dark)
Instead, where I really only need a little over 200w, I have the 230 and MPPT controller for that, and my nice 130 and Solar30 are being wasted.
I am not sure my MPPT controller would work well with those 1275s though. It goes to 15v max (I have it at 14.8) but then immediately drops to "float" so you get no time in absorption at the high voltage. Luckily, you can set float to 14.4 max, so at least it only drops from 14.8 to 14.4 for the rest of the day.
That is working well for the 6s. they reach baseline SG without having to do an equalize--very amazing to me. In fact now that solar days are getting better as summer nears, I am finding that is too long at 14.4 (losing some water in the 6s is the way to tell that) so I will be lowering that float voltage a bit. Similar to landyacht's experience with his 31.
BTW, 120s have /should have Isc at 7.6a, so that is what you should get with panel pointed at high sun. If not, check the wiring etc.
My GC2-XHDs and Exide 135s are the same as 105s for charging and they are the ones I am comparing my 1275s with. Lots of experience with these now, so it is real. IMO the 105 will be the same as the GC2 XHD and the Exides compared with the 1275.
Not to say don't get 1275s. They work great. Just be aware they need more effort than 6s to keep them in good shape. You need the right charging equipment and use your hydrometer or you will be sorry.
Yes, the Solar30 turns out to be a terrific controller with adjustable voltage and an ammeter (very rare feature!) that can do deep cycle batts that need 14.8-15v. Niner steered me onto that one--thank-you!!!
Looking back at my solar adventures so far, it appears I should have quit while I was ahead with the 130 and the 120 for 250. Only diff, is I would prefer the Solar30 to the LandStar 20 amper I had then, but it is a very nice controller too. ( It goes to 14.6, stays there two hours and then drops to 13.8 float till dark)
Instead, where I really only need a little over 200w, I have the 230 and MPPT controller for that, and my nice 130 and Solar30 are being wasted.
I am not sure my MPPT controller would work well with those 1275s though. It goes to 15v max (I have it at 14.8) but then immediately drops to "float" so you get no time in absorption at the high voltage. Luckily, you can set float to 14.4 max, so at least it only drops from 14.8 to 14.4 for the rest of the day.
That is working well for the 6s. they reach baseline SG without having to do an equalize--very amazing to me. In fact now that solar days are getting better as summer nears, I am finding that is too long at 14.4 (losing some water in the 6s is the way to tell that) so I will be lowering that float voltage a bit. Similar to landyacht's experience with his 31.
BTW, 120s have /should have Isc at 7.6a, so that is what you should get with panel pointed at high sun. If not, check the wiring etc.
