Forum Discussion
BFL13
Mar 25, 2014Explorer II
The OP has two 160w panels and a PWM controller. His array is 320w.
320/180 x 8.2 = 20 amps pointed at high sun. Why should he care if it "only" did 19 amps? Also
He has that on just two batts. Say he is at 50% in the morning, he needs 110AH to be full again. His daily AH haul with the panels tilted south all day will be approx. (based on 49N in May results)
320/130 x 70AH = 172AH which is more than 110. If it is cloudy part of the day he can aim the panels at the sun and do some tracking. If sunny all day and doing tracking, moving the panels only three times a day, he could get 320/130 x 90AH = 221AH
So that's not bad for a slapped together set up using jumper cables instead of "proper " wire and a cheapo Chinese controller instead of a "proper" one that costs $300 or whatever.
IMO losing an amp out of 20a all day for a loss of 12AH remains trivial out of the 172AH. 160AH is still more than 110. YMMV :)
Here is my classy award-winning 330w tracking set-up (it twirls handraulicly) doing its 20 amps last year (Will have an even better set-up this year!)

320/180 x 8.2 = 20 amps pointed at high sun. Why should he care if it "only" did 19 amps? Also
He has that on just two batts. Say he is at 50% in the morning, he needs 110AH to be full again. His daily AH haul with the panels tilted south all day will be approx. (based on 49N in May results)
320/130 x 70AH = 172AH which is more than 110. If it is cloudy part of the day he can aim the panels at the sun and do some tracking. If sunny all day and doing tracking, moving the panels only three times a day, he could get 320/130 x 90AH = 221AH
So that's not bad for a slapped together set up using jumper cables instead of "proper " wire and a cheapo Chinese controller instead of a "proper" one that costs $300 or whatever.
IMO losing an amp out of 20a all day for a loss of 12AH remains trivial out of the 172AH. 160AH is still more than 110. YMMV :)
Here is my classy award-winning 330w tracking set-up (it twirls handraulicly) doing its 20 amps last year (Will have an even better set-up this year!)

About Technical Issues
Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,341 PostsLatest Activity: Dec 07, 2025