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azrving's avatar
azrving
Explorer
Nov 19, 2015

While we are on solar let me tell you about friend #2

So friend #2 has four trojan scs225 batteries, a go power 30 amp non adjustable controller, and 685 watts. He originally had 525 watts and just added a 160 watt panel.

I asked if he was concerned about popping the controller. He said he's going to install a switch on the last panel and only bring it in when its poor sun or deep winter sun. I told him well....dont fall asleep in that nice chair. He said no problem if he does as the controller will just cut back. He said the only way that it could hurt is if the batteries were very low and needing to draw all those amps.

I said I dont know but go power says 500 watts max and 30 amps max.

I was also mentioning that I see people on line wanting Trojans and you guys saying be sure you can adjust your voltage as trojan wants 14.8 daily. He said no It's in the owners manual that It's 14.4 and equalize at 14.8. A few days later he brought his book over and said yes it is 14.8. I said well all you need to do is dip them and at least see what it says. I said if everything is working maybe 14.4 is ok. He said dipping is for beginners. We all laughed but I did notice that he keeps using his generator to nuke his dinner instead of the inverter and 500 plus ah of batts. He's running 6 gauge about 10 feet to the controller and another 10 feet of 6 g to the batts. No fuses. Any predictions? :)

24 Replies

  • Me and number one are watching. I told him if he doesn't tilt it will probably be fine. Number one told him to hope the wind calms down so we can see the blue smoke.

    At first I told him to just add a controller but he balked at that. Part of it is about not going on the roof to tilt and my wife and I totally agreed on that. We sort of watch out for him as he's getting up there in age and has medical issues. Cranky as heck but he's been helpful to us so we are very understanding. We will be there someday too.
  • CA Traveler wrote:
    If you keep acquiring solar friends then you could be a future and better HandyBob!


    Lol. Ain't Gunna happen. I believe a generator used properly CAN be part of an rvers energy management plan. Heck even Bogart says that.

    I bought my trimetric after reading handybob but I also believe that NO ONE knows everything.

    I have had a couple more funny RV/power encounters. Like I said, when those panels are tilted its like a flag going up.
  • If you keep acquiring solar friends then you could be a future and better HandyBob!
  • Lack of fuses is a potential problem. The manual also says "Accepts over 500 Watts of solar at 12 volts" and that it has current protection. So apparently it does something when 30A is exceeded. But not sure I was looking at the manual for his controller.

    My prediction is that he will be happy as a clam while you and I wonder what will happen.

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