Question about solar and my LiFePo4 batteries
In my Class B Xplorer 230XL I have two 100AH LiFePo4 batteries giving me 200 AHs. While I bought them in June 2019 I have not used them until this spring due to getting multiple myeloma, a blood canc...
Forum Discussion
steveh27 wrote:
Thanks all for the replies. The next time I get it out I will check the settings. BFL, in June I think the sun is more directly overhead here in Michigan than in FLA.
Nope. Info for tilting your panel follows:
It is like your noon sight to get your latitude (Lat), taken at "high noon" (meridian passage--at your longitude meridian) Note: these do not exactly coincide but it is close enough.
You have 90 degrees from the Horizon to up over your head (Zenith). The sun's Altitude (Alt) is part-way up that arc above the Horizon and the rest of the arc to overhead is Zenith Distance. (ZD)
The seasonal factor is the sun's Declination ( Dec) above or below the Equator going from about 23 degrees above (North) in June to about 23 below (South) in December (the two Solstices) and zero Dec is at the two Equinoxes in March and September.
Lat = ZD + Dec and Alt = 90 - ZD
Using 28N for Florida and 44N for Michigan as Lat, and 23N Dec for 21 June,
28N = ZD + 23N so ZD = 5 degrees and Alt = 85 degrees (almost overhead)
44N = ZD + 23N so ZD = 21 degrees and Alt = 69 degrees (not as high)
BTW, you tilt your panel to ZD at noon facing South to get best amps. However the sun is lower before and after noon (ante and post meridian -am and pm) so you leave the panel aimed South but lower than ZD at noon to catch more rays all day.
