Panels don't run things

jdc1 wrote:
Paying nothing for electricity doesn't seem like a good thing to 90% of the nation.

I would imagine that's because they don't have the upfront investment.

Devocamper wrote:

Boon Docker wrote:
I tell them that the panels don't run things. They charge the batteries which in turn run the 12 volt items and the inverter.

Same here ,it’s surprising how often this happen and how many people do not understand solar at all.

You should hear what solar homeowners have to experience. Paying nothing for electricity doesn't seem like a good thing to 90% of the nation.

Boon Docker wrote:
I tell them that the panels don't run things. They charge the batteries which in turn run the 12 volt items and the inverter.

Same here ,it’s surprising how often this happen and how many people do not understand solar at all.

The correct answer is they "run" everything. When the panels are producing power, any loads (as opposed to battery charging) on the system are first supplied by the panels to the limit of their capability with any remainder going to battery charging if they are not full. If a load is placed on the system greater than can be supplied by the panels, the batteries make up the difference with no charging taking place during that time (obviously).

On average my panels send about 60 to 70 percent of the power they produce in a day to the batteries and the remainder to directly power systems.

I guess that's why I see so many dry campers running generators.

Generators are easy to understand. Solar, batteries, inverter.. not so much.

The main reason is that barring a mechanical malfunction or running out of gas, generators just work, all the time, any time. Night or day, under trees or not, the generator always provides electricity. Push a button - bam - you've got 110V juice.

Solar Panels would be useful if you were truly doing long-term, off-the-grid living. But I only boodock in my RV for longer than a weekend about once every 2 years. I run out of water way before I run out of gas for the genny. Heck I run out of water before I deplete my batteries.

BFL13 is exactly correct.

The answer to the question of what happens to all that solar output when there are no other loads is the same thing that happens to all that power coming from your 120 volt wall outlet when nothing is plugged in.

x2 - 2oldman

No need to confuse them more than they already are.

BFL13 wrote:
The charge controller like the converter, does 12v loads first and anything left over goes to the battery if the battery wants any.

Yes, we all know this, but try explaining all that to someone who asks that question. They won't even know what a controller is.

When someone asks the question I get the impression they think you just plug something in to a solar panel.

The charge controller like the converter, does 12v loads first and anything left over goes to the battery if the battery wants any.

If the solar can't run the loads all by itself then the battery has to make up the difference.

So yes, the solar can and does run things.

That is why you need a battery monitor to show only what the battery gets and not go by what the controller's display is saying-- some or all of that is going to loads other than the battery.

The real question, as asked on here before (true!) is what happens to all that solar output when there are no other loads and the battery is full? :)

DrewE wrote:
A helpful (but not too extended) reply could be something like "over the course of a sunny day, they generate about 2 kWh of energy, which is enough to power my fridge and television and lights" or whatever the details may be for you and your solar setup. The power does ultimately come from the solar panels, after all.

the best answer IMHO.
bumpy