Almot wrote:
NinerBikes wrote:
Because the OP is running GC2 batteries, he will need an adjustable voltage solar charger that is programmable and capable of 15.0V bulk charge rate at the battery terminals to run in conjunction with his solar panels.
And fat wire, 10 gauge, and a short run of wire from the controller to his batteries, 5 feet or less.
The goal is 100% state of charge, not 97%, or 98%. Hard to do with 1 ah or more constant parasitic loss when the fridge is on propane and the circuit board is on constantly.
Adjustable setpoints means - a charger other than the one included with the kit.
1A parasitic loss - I think it's 1A, not 1AH 'cause 1AH per 24 hours isn't worth talking about - does make 100% SOC difficult, with 120W panel. It's all about energy usage. If you only use 30 AH in 24 hrs, then 120W panel would bring it up to Abs at upper 90-s SOC on a good day, and - if needed - would keep on pumping more amps than 1A parasitic plus 1 or 2A of some odd small load like fan or TV, until it's 100%.
Seems like the store run out of 120W kits - good. Didn't like it anyway :) ...
It is difficult if you rely solely on solar.
I like being diversified with my options, hence a choice of generators, Eu1000i, because I had it long before I had my travel trailer. Eu2000i, because it makes using the microwave feasible. Progressive Dynamics 9245, because the Eu1000i will run it, albeit in taper mode if the amps are too much initially for the Eu1000i in bulk mode, perhaps for a 5 or 10 minute span, then into bulk mode at 14.4V to do the hard part for an hour or two that the solar panel might not handle in a day of cloudy weather. When I picked the Honda Eu1000i up 5 years ago in near mint condition, used, for $350, solar panels per watt were an expensive proposition per watt. Price per watt has dropped a lot. It'll be a while before 12v batteries can run a microwave oven on a 21 foot travel trailer, pulling 1350 -1400 watts.
I suspect the 120W is the best, and most portable, for the size, for most applications. It's fine for me