Solar Kit
Just received my kit. 2 100w panels with a 30a pwm controller. Hoping it will recharge my 2 GC2's. I am alone in the trailer and power use is min. Any thoughts?
Forum Discussion
DAS26miles wrote:
Going to do a test at Death Valley soon and will see if I really need an additional 50 or 60 watts. May get by with only needing 30 watts and Renogy has a 30watt panel with 15ft cable and alligator clips at the ends for only $65. That may be the cheap way out. No need to get a 20 or 30 amp controller and the existing wiring is adequate. Yes, I can buy all kinds of things to make it more efficient. We will see???
I am surprised that the Renogy 30 watt panel doesn't need a controller and hooks directly to the batteries.
If you only use the parasitic draw and an LED light or two, it should be fine. If not, you can use it for maintaining a lawn tractor battery. For solar to be beneficial, you need to be able to replace what is used and the bigger your battery bank, the more solar needed to replenish. I forget the exact rule, but very roughly, about 1 watt of solar for every AH of your battery bank. My bank is 220AH so about 200 watts of solar will get me by, more if I were to boondock for long periods to make up for clouds, rain, etc. So if you have a Grp 24 battery with 80AH, then 100 watts should be plenty. I don't think 30 watts will be of much benefit, but I am looking forward to your findings.
I see now that the 30 watt panel is in addition to the 100w so disregard much of this post.
