Solar Electric Specialties: Reviews?

Hey drmopar, how about that.. so between the old SES and my newer ASC do you think I should just use the existing one SES? My ASC worked great in my last rig.. Just did a fine job!

Also, I do want to build up my system to big as I can get it and that will be relegated by where batts can be carried. Don't think I want them out on a receiver platform like some I've seen so one 12V AGM in the house batt compartment and 2 more in a lower "step" interior compartment. 36V system and most likely the 3 panels I have or even add another for 4 panels.. I would like to upgrade the controller and add a batt monitor.. Any recommendations?

Solar back in the 70's and 80's we developed and sold the SES controller and the ASC controllers. Very simple. Those controllers were state of the art back then. I still have some in stock. SES used the cheaper analog meters, but we used a higher grade meters with on-off switching. We could switch off array or battery. Both dependable units. ARCO Solar actually had their own at that time. SES was started by my buddy JP.

DesertMax wrote:
isn't the "sealed" factor for just that purpose... safe, no spill, no vapor or venting.. can be mounted on their sides etc???

yes on all 3.
Safe as any battery is safe. You can kill yourself with a toothbrush if you try hard.

No spill.

No hydrogen vapor unless during extreme overcharging, and then there is a relief valve for that. If you remember some cars have regular spill-able battery mounted inside, in the back or under the seat.

Can be mounted on the sides, though this tends to be more complicated, with a rack and some plastic to keep contacts covered.

AGM make a lot of sense for a small van or TC.

Let's see if we can fish out some more "solar experts" to provide more enlightening opinions on this one...

Ok now I will have to agree on that.. I was full time a couple of years ago and made the same inquiries and there were some naysayers but isn't the "sealed" factor for just that purpose... safe, no spill, no vapor or venting.. can be mounted on their sides etc???

AGMs should be ok in a living space. Others may not be of the same opinion.

Also, I'm thinking of building a lower step (battery enclosure) on the floor at the very front of the camper to house 2 more batts for a 36V system..

I used my cooler as a "batt place holder" just for the shot..


There is 30" of usable width space and I don't need the factory step so that won't be a problem.. Question is, while AGM's are "sealed," is it really actually safe to have 2 of them in the living area? I'm thinking to put them inside battery boxes and then again inside of a wooden constructed enclosure and carpet the top of it to match the interior carpeting..

I have in the past, used the camper corner spaces in the truck bed for batts but the Squire 3000 is compact and the crawlspace doors are too small to access the batts unless I built them in and then loaded the camper "over" them which sounds tricky upon tricky as loading a slide in is never fun in the first place...

Hey oldman, I agree and here's the situation. I have been "Stuck in Lodi Again" for much too long and will be escaping back to full time in a month or two.. I may build up this system as I go as I will have more funds but this time I want the biggest system the rig can handle.. It has a crappy "cranking amps" house batt right now that came from some local tire store and I'll stick the 90 in there for starters but I'm aware of the Trojan or comparable 6V system standard and wonder if I should just design a system with those from the get go?? In a TC, wouldn't that mean more batts taking up more space which in a Truck Camper is at a premium?

A single 90ah isn't much.. but depends on your usage.

Old. Likely, PWM, i.e. you can only use 12V panels with it. 24V panels didn't exist back then. SES was bought by another Ca company in 1990-s.

Found This SES 14 - could be a successor, though it looks different, no display. Still, very-very basic.