Solar Kit

DAS26miles wrote:
64thunderbolt- interesting pix. My new 100w is putting out about 5.5amps and got to 17.7 volts. It didn't fully charge my house batteries as the battery monitor showed 5.8amps down. The controller ran on boost for 120 minutes, then switched to float. I reset it to 180 minutes. My manual says on the 28th of the month it will do an equalization. For some reason the main screen shows Dec 2 and 14:05. I have reset the time and date. Noticed that the RTC battery was missing. I called Renogy and they said it's not needed. I replied, then how does it equalize on the 28th of the month if I can't set the date. They don't seem to know. There is no manual way to switch between modes.???? They finally were able to give me the battery number and I picked one up. Installed it and made not difference, still shows Dec 2 14:20 on the main screen. Perhaps that is the date made and total time on the controller?

On the Renogy web site, under PWM controllers->ViewStar->downloads here is a way to download a manual for the ViewStar controllers. Section 5.3 "Device Settings Interface" shows a way to set date and time. But maybe you already tried that.

I'm considering buying that controller, so I have been reading the manual.

DAS26miles wrote:
64thunderbolt, I don't recall which controller you have.. Mine came with this one
ViewStar 1024n. But you have a 30amp?

The ViewStar is the replacement for the EP Solar LandStar like I had a couple years ago. Good controller with a three stage profile. Gets to 14.6 then stays there two hours then drops to 13.8 float till dark. Fire and forget.

The only issues we have is not having enough room for the batteries needed to store what our solar can put out. So we use it like a small generator and do it all anyways. lol

64thunderbolt, I don't recall which controller you have.. Mine came with this one
ViewStar 1024n. But you have a 30amp?

64thunderbolt wrote:

BFL13 wrote:
Looks very good. You must be pleased with your solar buy after seeing that.

If I knew what I was doing I suppose. LOL yes it seems as if it is going to do what I need it to do. Just supplement my use & cut down on gen time. The only items on the inv are the tv & remote speakers. I will only need the gen for micro & a/c if needed.

The joke is, we go all summer off grid with about that much solar and use the MW , toaster, kettle, hairdryer, TV/DVD, etc no problem on a 2000w inverter and four 6s. Seldom need the gen except if cloudy for a couple days.

Now you can too! Ha ha, you are on the slippery slope. Once you realize how much you have there, you will want to use it! (Or DW will, which is the same thing under the usual rules.) ISTR JiminDenver said the same thing happened to them. :)

DAS26miles wrote:
64thunderbolt- interesting pix. My new 100w is putting out about 5.5amps and got to 17.7 volts. It didn't fully charge my house batteries as the battery monitor showed 5.8amps down. The controller ran on boost for 120 minutes, then switched to float. I reset it to 180 minutes. My manual says on the 28th of the month it will do an equalization. For some reason the main screen shows Dec 2 and 14:05. I have reset the time and date. Noticed that the RTC battery was missing. I called Renogy and they said it's not needed. I replied, then how does it equalize on the 28th of the month if I can't set the date. They don't seem to know. There is no manual way to switch between modes.???? They finally were able to give me the battery number and I picked one up. Installed it and made not difference, still shows Dec 2 14:20 on the main screen. Perhaps that is the date made and total time on the controller?

I can't answer you questions. My controller is not adjustable and this is my first try @ solar other than a 15w trickle charger. But there are a lot of knowledge on this forum in regards to solar. Someone will chime in. They have been at it a while so you should get some good advice. Your panel is close to what it should max out at. If you have a long run from controller to batt run the largest wire possible. I went above Renogy's recommendation. I do know when it comes to elec current size does matter when it comes to wire size solar or anything else. I had battery cables made for my diesel truck with larger cable and what a diff. Cranks lots faster now. Good luck.

BFL13 wrote:
Looks very good. You must be pleased with your solar buy after seeing that.

If I knew what I was doing I suppose. LOL yes it seems as if it is going to do what I need it to do. Just supplement my use & cut down on gen time. The only items on the inv are the tv & remote speakers. I will only need the gen for micro & a/c if needed.

64thunderbolt- interesting pix. My new 100w is putting out about 5.5amps and got to 17.7 volts. It didn't fully charge my house batteries as the battery monitor showed 5.8amps down. The controller ran on boost for 120 minutes, then switched to float. I reset it to 180 minutes. My manual says on the 28th of the month it will do an equalization. For some reason the main screen shows Dec 2 and 14:05. I have reset the time and date. Noticed that the RTC battery was missing. I called Renogy and they said it's not needed. I replied, then how does it equalize on the 28th of the month if I can't set the date. They don't seem to know. There is no manual way to switch between modes.???? They finally were able to give me the battery number and I picked one up. Installed it and made not difference, still shows Dec 2 14:20 on the main screen. Perhaps that is the date made and total time on the controller?

Looks very good. You must be pleased with your solar buy after seeing that.

OK here goes. I am done testing @ taking pics. Thur @ 2:45pm. Best sun I am gonna get. This doesn't look too bad to me but I am not a pro @ this. Any comments from the pro's would be appreciated. Thanks

Volts @ panels


amps @ panels


Batt V, controller says batt full so I assume it's in float.