Please review my possible solar installation
I'm in the process of purchasing an Outdoors RV, Creekside 20FQ. I am looking at purchasing two Lifeline 6v AGM batteries with a capacity of 220 AH each. My RV dealer suggested installing a Zamp 150 w...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
Not really enough wattage and a low cost controller. AGM has a specific voltage that is best for long life. Possibly quite over priced. They say it will charge in moonlight--but offer no data to prove that.
Here is a simple flow chart.
Budget-->Energy Audit-->Battery bank size-->number of watts-->PWM or MPPT. What ever type of controller is chosen, make sure it has adjustable set points and a temperature probe that is on the battery.
One rule of thumb is between 60 and 150 watts of panels per 100 amp-hours of storage. The smaller the battery bank the higher the wattage needed (per 100 amp-hours). Here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet which includes an energy audit, that N8GS has created to help size solar battery charging systems!
Solar Spread Sheet N8GS
For a nice explanation of solar, try this link:
Golden rules of solar
Not really enough wattage and a low cost controller. AGM has a specific voltage that is best for long life. Possibly quite over priced. They say it will charge in moonlight--but offer no data to prove that.
Here is a simple flow chart.
Budget-->Energy Audit-->Battery bank size-->number of watts-->PWM or MPPT. What ever type of controller is chosen, make sure it has adjustable set points and a temperature probe that is on the battery.
One rule of thumb is between 60 and 150 watts of panels per 100 amp-hours of storage. The smaller the battery bank the higher the wattage needed (per 100 amp-hours). Here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet which includes an energy audit, that N8GS has created to help size solar battery charging systems!
Solar Spread Sheet N8GS
For a nice explanation of solar, try this link:
Golden rules of solar
