Solar crunch time! Please review my plan.
I would like begin my first post with a big thank you to all who have shared their knowledge and experience on this forum. Without that, I probably wouldn't be entering the solar jungle! I hope yo...
Forum Discussion
Thanks for the quick responses.
Smkettner, That 12' run is actually 24' round trip. If my calculations are correct, maybe about 2% voltage drop. Could go with 6 or 8ga., but would like to avoid combiner box on roof. The kit is only $45 more than just the panels, figure it's a wash if I can use the 10ga. cables & mc4 Y connectors. Maybe sell the 20amp controller or keep for something else. No free shipping on just the panels.
BFL13, Thanks, I've really been on the fence about pwm vs mppt for this system. Lots of conflicting opinions out there. I've read good things about the Trimetric, and just haven't been able to find enough info about the Tracer 4215BN to make a comparison.
2oldman, Pretty minimal. Our dry camping style only requires a few led lights, water pump, radio/cd player, phone/camera/laptop charging. and the only parasitic loads I know of are co detector & fridge electronics. Maybe a little sat. tv in the future, but not much of that.
wclement1248, I should check on the Renogy 150W panels. What did you use for mounting hardware? No generator for us I hope. I have camped for 3 weeks with these batteries, conservative yes, but still used lights, fridge, water pump for dishes & showers. Charged from truck with battery cables maybe 4hrs. over the 3 weeks, batts. never dropped below 12.2V. Charging from the alternator is the worst way to do it, which is why I'm excited about solar!
westend, Thanks for the encouragement! Also for the tips on switches and spade lugs, I've been wondering about those items. Do you think 4ga. welding cable for the 6' run to the batteries is adequate? I guess an inline fuse on the pos. will be required.
I actually believe that with everyone's help on this forum I can pull this off & do it right! Thanks again.
w
Smkettner, That 12' run is actually 24' round trip. If my calculations are correct, maybe about 2% voltage drop. Could go with 6 or 8ga., but would like to avoid combiner box on roof. The kit is only $45 more than just the panels, figure it's a wash if I can use the 10ga. cables & mc4 Y connectors. Maybe sell the 20amp controller or keep for something else. No free shipping on just the panels.
BFL13, Thanks, I've really been on the fence about pwm vs mppt for this system. Lots of conflicting opinions out there. I've read good things about the Trimetric, and just haven't been able to find enough info about the Tracer 4215BN to make a comparison.
2oldman, Pretty minimal. Our dry camping style only requires a few led lights, water pump, radio/cd player, phone/camera/laptop charging. and the only parasitic loads I know of are co detector & fridge electronics. Maybe a little sat. tv in the future, but not much of that.
wclement1248, I should check on the Renogy 150W panels. What did you use for mounting hardware? No generator for us I hope. I have camped for 3 weeks with these batteries, conservative yes, but still used lights, fridge, water pump for dishes & showers. Charged from truck with battery cables maybe 4hrs. over the 3 weeks, batts. never dropped below 12.2V. Charging from the alternator is the worst way to do it, which is why I'm excited about solar!
westend, Thanks for the encouragement! Also for the tips on switches and spade lugs, I've been wondering about those items. Do you think 4ga. welding cable for the 6' run to the batteries is adequate? I guess an inline fuse on the pos. will be required.
I actually believe that with everyone's help on this forum I can pull this off & do it right! Thanks again.
w
