Looking To Add Solar Down The Road

I thought the OP must already have that 2000E so that is why he plans to use it. If not, then yes, don't get one!

Also you don't need to see the controller(s) to monitor the system as mentioned in the OP. You have a Trimetric and it is easy to derive how much of what you see on that is due to solar. This makes your wiring concern controller-battery go away. Just put the controller(s) close to the battery bank.

-Since you will have more solar than you use there is no point trying to get an extra 10% by going MPPT instead of PWM where you pay way more for the MPPT controller.

-If you did insist on MPPT then you might want to put the panels in series, but now you need a controller with a very high Voc input limit for three times 22v so need more like a 100Voc limit.

Anyway, three 140s flat will not get you Isc (8.8a? for a 140) so your expected amps will be more like 8a each for 24a total. I have been using the PWM Solar30 controller for a month now and really like it. (cost $34 on sale eBay) It has an adjustable voltage (to 15v) and even has an ammeter so you can read panel output. Makes it easy to see how much of what you see on the Trimetric is due to solar.

If you are concerned about going over 30a on some days, you can get two PWM controllers and put one on two panels and the other on the one panel and put both on the battery bank. Same total charging amps.

I would expect a PWM controller to let the amps through to the battery over its amps rating but just run warmer. For short times this would not harm the controller. You do get edge of cloud effect that boosts the amps for a few minutes at a time. ( If the controller ever did fry, you are only out $34--not like frying a $400 controller--oops, that would hurt!)

Hi CT,

I would pick a different controller.

I saw some nice deals on panels in Ohio if you are going through there.

CT_WANDERER wrote:
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, then to the my battery bank of four GC2's.I know the BlueSjy will chop any amps over 25 amp. My concern is the run from the 2000E to the batteries will be 25' I Plan on using 2AWG wire for the run to help over come the distance.

Are you stuck on 2000E? Look at 30a Rogue or 30a Morningstar MPPT. Both have voltage sense connection to mitigate the long distance issues to the battery. #8 or #6 should be fine.

As long as you are coming out west you may as well stop at SolarBLVD.com in Norco CA to pick up the panels and maybe a controller.

Where you buy is up to you. Shipping panels can be a bit high so if you can swing by a supplier while in motion then all the better.

OK thanks Boy that is better than I was hoping for. This year is tire time, before we head out west for the winter. I hope I can work on the solar after I do the tires. If nothing else comes up. Gary

I got 56AH daily haul measured with Trimetric with a 130w panel lying flat in late May at 49.3N with sunny all day no clouds.

Say you get 150AH daily. That leaves plenty of margin over your usage and will allow meeting the usage on cloudier days too.

Means you can afford the loss on your controller-battery wire run and the fat wire you have may even be fatter than you actually need most days. Good to go.

With three 140W panels, I doubt you'll be using the gen for anything but A/C. You'll probably get 120Ah per day with good sun with 420W of panels.

Gary,
I just installed 3 Kyocera 140's on the front of my coach and 3 250's on the rear. I have the front three wired through my factory controller and I get 30 amps output regularly from them. I am confident that if you run 2AWG wire you will take care of any voltage loss. Good luck, and feel free to message me with any questions. Bret