BFL13 wrote:
"
Too complex for me... I'd like to see 12.71 or 12.72 V a few hours before the sun sets...."
I think you meant 14.7 not 12.7
My 120w solar panel is portable... I pull it inside before dark and undo the clamps on the terminals. Once disconnected, from everything, battery stand alone, nothing running off of the battery, nothing charging it either, I like to see 12.72V. I set my bulk charge on the charge controller to hit 15.0V for bulk, and 13.7V for maintenance charge rates off the solar panel. Keep in mind, size and scale... right now... about 6.5 amps off a 120W solar panel and I've only a group 24 DC that I charge up. Soon, probably some sort of golf cart battery or batteries @ 150 to 220 amp hours 20hr rating.