Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
Just got to say it again, how it is we are sitting here for five months off grid on solar with no problems at all (third season on solar like this), using the non-programmable, non-MPPT, solar control...
Forum Discussion
"i can use every little percent gain that MPPT will give me"
That too, but the real issue is not being able to tilt or point those panels. Plus maybe that clipping at odd times.
Bottom line, if you could aim all your solar (505w ISTR ?) you should get peak amps of 505/130 x 8.2 = 32a. If you could twirl even some of those panels to maintain their peak amps longer in the day, the AH haul diff would be huge.
My results in May at 49N with just one 130w were Flat-56AH/day, Tilted up South -70AH/day, "Tracking sort of" -90AH day.
Now I have 200w in a contraption that is at fixed tilt but can twirl. In proportion to the 130w results, (still get the 70AH from that too) that means with just the 200w I get 107AH/day facing South all day, or 138AH twirling it three times a day.
My potential haul is 138 plus the 70 = 208AH with 330w of panels.
Now RJ has devised a similar contraption for his MH that Mr Wiz could have too. Picture the change in AH by taking only 200 of those 505 w and putting them in such a contraption! AND you don't need to use 200w, you could use more if you had them.
EDIT if at 49N in May :) Mr Wiz should get 505/130 x 56 = 217AH day with panels flat. So stealing 200w off the roof and putting them in an RJ he could get 138AH there and still get 305/130 x56 = 131 from the flat ones, total of 269 vs 217. 52 more so 52/217 = 24% increase in daily haul. Gets better if you leave the 505 on the roof as is and just get more for the RJ. need a few $25 PWM controllers to run it all. Have to spend something for all this gain!
It would drive me crazy not to be doing that when you already have all the pieces. Just need to re-arrange them a little!
That too, but the real issue is not being able to tilt or point those panels. Plus maybe that clipping at odd times.
Bottom line, if you could aim all your solar (505w ISTR ?) you should get peak amps of 505/130 x 8.2 = 32a. If you could twirl even some of those panels to maintain their peak amps longer in the day, the AH haul diff would be huge.
My results in May at 49N with just one 130w were Flat-56AH/day, Tilted up South -70AH/day, "Tracking sort of" -90AH day.
Now I have 200w in a contraption that is at fixed tilt but can twirl. In proportion to the 130w results, (still get the 70AH from that too) that means with just the 200w I get 107AH/day facing South all day, or 138AH twirling it three times a day.
My potential haul is 138 plus the 70 = 208AH with 330w of panels.
Now RJ has devised a similar contraption for his MH that Mr Wiz could have too. Picture the change in AH by taking only 200 of those 505 w and putting them in such a contraption! AND you don't need to use 200w, you could use more if you had them.
EDIT if at 49N in May :) Mr Wiz should get 505/130 x 56 = 217AH day with panels flat. So stealing 200w off the roof and putting them in an RJ he could get 138AH there and still get 305/130 x56 = 131 from the flat ones, total of 269 vs 217. 52 more so 52/217 = 24% increase in daily haul. Gets better if you leave the 505 on the roof as is and just get more for the RJ. need a few $25 PWM controllers to run it all. Have to spend something for all this gain!
It would drive me crazy not to be doing that when you already have all the pieces. Just need to re-arrange them a little!
