Solar question

MPPT is expensive and to get the most out of it you really should full build the system in one swoop. PWM controller with 12v panels is much easier to get an oversize controller and add panels as time and money permit. MPPT is more to use the larger 220+ watt 24 volt panels to charge the 12v battery.

Plain voltmeter or controller remote monitor is fine for keeping an eye on things. I would sooner have more battery over an independent battery monitor. Although lots of people love their battery monitors.

I hope that smart charge converter is not a 55+ amp WFCO.

Muddydogs wrote:
I am working through the solar deal hopping to have something in place for the spring. Right now I am looking at 200 to 250 watts worth of panels that I can expand in the future.

Just so I understand the components I would need panels which monocrystalline seem to be the best,MPPT charge controller mounted close to battery's and if I want to know whats going on with the battery's then a monitor mounted in the living area. Correct?

In the future I will probably add a inverter to run 120 volt items off of but right now TV is not important to me and I go camping so I don't have to deal with the computer.

I have a new toy hauler that I figure uses about 35 AH a day to keep it alive, in the fall I will hunt out of the trailer so some heater use will be needed. During the summer I usually camp up in the mountains so very little AC is needed. The trailer has a smart charge converter to help with battery charging needs and a 4000 watt genny.

There is no advantage in mono over poly as such. Just get the best price per watt from the dealer nearest you so there is no shipping charge.

You can get two 120w 12v panels and a Solar30 controller off eBay ($35ish) or a 240ish watt single panel and an Eco-Worthy 20a MPPT controller ($102ish) all same results to the battery. Which to buy depends on price. Repeat---all same to the battery.

From your intended usage you have no need to expand the solar from the 240-ish size array. You could get by with a pair of 6s for a battery bank, maybe.

You might be surprised by the amount of AH the furnace will use in cold weather. It can hit 80AH day easy, so add that to your daily 70 (say) and you are looking at 150AH a day, so to stay over 50% SOC on the batteries you now want a bank of at least 300AH. So with 6s you need four to really get by in winter not just the two that will be fine in the summer.

Ok, so there you are with four batts at 50% SOC in the morning, how are you going to recharge them to 90% (or 80% if you like--no higher than 90 on generator) and all you have is a 55a? converter? You need more amps for charging so you can go hunting and not have to stick around for battery charging all day.

So now you need a decent charger to run from your gen. At least you have lots of gen watts to run a big amp charger or three. Consider the PowerMax PMBC type with optional voltage adjustment (set to 14.8v ) "portable" you can get now in up to 120a size, that will do up your four 6s in a 50-90 in a short time, and then off, " a hunting we will go---" :)

Hi,

While mono panels do appear to put out more watts in full sun, poly ones do MUCH better in shade. If I upgrade it will be to poly panels.

Make sure the controller can handle the full number of watts when you upgrade.

MPPT is a considerable extra cost. I'd carefully look at PWM and nominal 12 volt panels (about 17 volts). Lately the 12 volt panels have been increasing in price.

Where I live temperature compensation is a requirement. I'd not use a controller that doesn't have a temperature probe for the battery bank.