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MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
Jan 07, 2015

SHEESH! Nothing But BIG MPPT Panels?

My new roof "wrack" measures 4' x 6'

I think I'm hosed in finding excellent value MPPT panels that'll fit inside the rack. Then to top it off I have to look for panels that render an efficient amount of production per square foot. The smaller roll-up and foldable panels trouble me as far as durability and value is concerned.

I called home during a blackout there. A great reminder to keep on track. Wotta phone, Niner! Jesus was standing next to the yammering Kubota and I could hear and speak! He sold 220kg of lobster yesterday and returned with two drums of diesel and one of gasoline. An hour's worth of gen run time today @ 450 amps charge rate. Tomorrow the Lambordini gets a workout - three hours spinning a 385 ampere 24-volt 50DN Delco alternator. The Kubota is powering compressor to jam 175 lbs of air into a pair of old 83-gallon LPG motor fuel tanks, as well as the big chargers.

But I want panels on the roof to keep a PAIR of 31 Lifelines charged up. This would make my life a lot easier. I just have to find those odd-size panels without incurring a punitive price tag.

34 Replies

  • smkettner wrote:
    Convert the system to 24v and use PWM....


    Hey! I totally forgot about that. I could use my 230w panel with my PWM controller if the batts were 24v!!!

    So, disconnect the batts, pair them up as 24v and charge them up, and then connect them back up to the rig in 12v configuration. Have to run the rig on another set of batts in the meantime, split bank routine. (unless I had a buck converter for that instead)
  • MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    My new roof "wrack" measures 4' x 6'


    So a single 40"x66" will not fit or not enough output?

    https://www.solarblvd.com/product_info.php?products_id=3000

    There is always this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoxHtcU2woM

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