Reviewing Solar and batteries for retirement
Hello, I have a fiver that hasn't had it proper share of use and we are now getting ready to fix that issue. We tend to dry camp but will utilize campgrounds if available. We had solar (120 X 2) and i...
Forum Discussion
I've installed, maintained and repaired DC battery plants that charged off solar for part of my working career. To me, many here way over think the value of 'data'. Charge 'em, float 'em, use 'em. In ten years, replace 'em. Routine maintenance was to fill 'em. I suppose having a system designed by professional engineers using commercial grade components makes a difference, but I've found that even those parts are available to recreationalists if they care to search them out.
It's an RV after all. Supposed to free us up from the drudgery of daily work and able to just relax. My advice; buy the good stuff. I have Morningstar controller, Interstate batteries (cost effective to replace every 5 years as pre-emptive maintenance), Solarworld panels. Everything made in USA and solid warranties if there is a problem. My controller acted up and I called Morningstar. An engineer called me back. They mailed me a replacement and a return label for the one I had. Batteries purchased through SAM's or Costco will get you free replacement, no questions asked, every two years if you've the notion to. Solar panels loose efficiency over time, like 25 years or so, and I've never had one just up and fail out of the hundreds I've installed.
https://www.amazon.com/Morningstar-PS-30M-PG-Prostar-30-Meter-Farms/dp/B00OQJNB5C/ref=sr_1_9?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1524604347&sr=1-9&keywords=morningstar+pwm
Not sure they still make that one, it's what I have. However, there seems to be a new verson;
https://www.amazon.com/Morningstar-Prostar-PS-30M-Controller-Regulator/dp/B005XDHZLG/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1524604971&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=morningstar+prostar
One button sheds load, another will shed the solar input. Realtime charge voltage, charge current and load read-out on the display. LVD and HVD, Over current disconnect I believe too.
It's an RV after all. Supposed to free us up from the drudgery of daily work and able to just relax. My advice; buy the good stuff. I have Morningstar controller, Interstate batteries (cost effective to replace every 5 years as pre-emptive maintenance), Solarworld panels. Everything made in USA and solid warranties if there is a problem. My controller acted up and I called Morningstar. An engineer called me back. They mailed me a replacement and a return label for the one I had. Batteries purchased through SAM's or Costco will get you free replacement, no questions asked, every two years if you've the notion to. Solar panels loose efficiency over time, like 25 years or so, and I've never had one just up and fail out of the hundreds I've installed.
https://www.amazon.com/Morningstar-PS-30M-PG-Prostar-30-Meter-Farms/dp/B00OQJNB5C/ref=sr_1_9?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1524604347&sr=1-9&keywords=morningstar+pwm
Not sure they still make that one, it's what I have. However, there seems to be a new verson;
https://www.amazon.com/Morningstar-Prostar-PS-30M-Controller-Regulator/dp/B005XDHZLG/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1524604971&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=morningstar+prostar
One button sheds load, another will shed the solar input. Realtime charge voltage, charge current and load read-out on the display. LVD and HVD, Over current disconnect I believe too.
