Solar Requirements - Confirmation
I'm taking a 3 month mountain biking trip through British Columbia this summer. Most of the time will be spent camping at National/Provincial parks without access to electric. When I really break it d...
Forum Discussion
CptSydor wrote:
Get a couple new batteries, either 6V GC or 12V G31. Connect them to a minimum of 200 W of solar. Definitely have the old battery as a back-up. I need to read up a little more on the benefits of each system, and ultimately if I can get deals on anything that might sway my decision.
Type of battery is important as well. No question, garden variety flooded batts for many are the best deal out there but some will automatically jump into much more costly AGMs believing they're "better". Well, for some they are, but there's little point if you don't have a charger properly matched to care for those AGMs, which especially here in Canada can be quite an investment. Bulk charging voltage, whether the manufacturer recommends or doesn't recommend equalization charging, temperature compensated charging, all become issues you don't want to ignore if you expect maximum life from that costly investment in AGMs. Flooded may take more of your personal attention but they're also much more forgiving in how you treat them.
Any way to roughly quantify how much benefit I would see, keeping my 1K generator, but upgrading to a better charger that I would hook up directly to a new battery pack as compared to the WFCO?
As I already said I personally wouldn't spend the $$$ to upgrade from the WFCO and not also upgrade the genset ... bone up on power factor and you'll understand why. If solar is definitely going to be part of your strategy then there's even less reason to upgrade the converter / charger. ;)
