reconsidering recomendataions on solar
so after 1 year using my solar my outcome is a little less than expected. I have 2 100W panels mounted on front slope of roof, and 1 additional panel mounded flat on roof behind the DS panel that i...
Forum Discussion
First looking at your ah draw at 70% you have used about 54ah.
If you are running the Fantastic Fan 24/7 and running it on speed 1 I believe the Amp draw is around 1 amp. That equates to 24ah a day...
This said your daily draw is around 25ah without the fan and that is what I run on some days, TV, computers, phones etc.
If you could find an alternative for that fantastic fan it would be the best alternative.
I have the fantastic fan and a Surflo vent fan. It is not without it's troubles but I have managed to get around the issues and it is the best vent fan ever. It is variable speed and thus can be slowed down to the point that it is only pulling about .5 amps! The fan blades are way more efficient than the fantastic fan too. Really bad reviews and I do not believe it is avail anymore.
Not sure what the low speed amp draw of this fan is but probably well under 1 amp.
10 speed... Rather expensive.
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Vents-and-Fans/MaxxAir/MA00-07500K.html
What I would recommend first...
I have read that you are sticking with the Bogart SC so I will be writing this for information to all and you can follow along. I believe you do not have the TEMP compensation for your SC though.
Panel stuff... In parallel your voltages VMP need to be pretty close... The lowest voltage panel will take precedence. Lots to read about that. It is a waste of $ to invest in an MPPT controller if your panels are in the 17's VMP. There are cheap PWM controllers with minimum features which I would not recommend.
Because you are up there in cold country you would really benefit from having a PWM controller with Temperature compensation.
A battery that is cool, below 70deg F needs it's charge voltage raised. My batteries when cold... 50 deg physically will see 14.9 vdc from my morningstar solar controller because of temp comp... If it were to be 14.3 or so I would take forever to get back to 100%.. This applies to our conventional CONVERTERS.... Progressive dynamics, Iota's etc.
So first step is to get a good temp comp PWM controller in my opinion.
The best and gives you room for that 4th panel if needed. You will have to purchase the sensor for temp.... separate. Morningstar Tristar 45 amp with temp comp
https://www.solar-electric.com/trts12vochco.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItuSEwdn_1gIVlGB-Ch1kPgcGEAQYASABEgKc2vD_BwE
Second best.... Renology 30amp PWM with temp comp
https://www.renogy.com/renogy-wanderer-30a-pwm-charge-controller/
In the OP's situation with the Bogart SC this is what he needs... if he does not have it.
https://www.altestore.com/store/meters-communications-site-analysis/meters-battery-monitors/ammeters-voltmeters-battery-monitors/bogart-engineering-temperature-sensor-for-sc-2030-charge-controller-p11729/
Those that like to read and learn here is what I wrote about the cold battery subject 11 years ago!
Shivering Batteries:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18898156/print/true.cfm
Jim
If you are running the Fantastic Fan 24/7 and running it on speed 1 I believe the Amp draw is around 1 amp. That equates to 24ah a day...
This said your daily draw is around 25ah without the fan and that is what I run on some days, TV, computers, phones etc.
If you could find an alternative for that fantastic fan it would be the best alternative.
I have the fantastic fan and a Surflo vent fan. It is not without it's troubles but I have managed to get around the issues and it is the best vent fan ever. It is variable speed and thus can be slowed down to the point that it is only pulling about .5 amps! The fan blades are way more efficient than the fantastic fan too. Really bad reviews and I do not believe it is avail anymore.
Not sure what the low speed amp draw of this fan is but probably well under 1 amp.
10 speed... Rather expensive.
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Vents-and-Fans/MaxxAir/MA00-07500K.html
What I would recommend first...
I have read that you are sticking with the Bogart SC so I will be writing this for information to all and you can follow along. I believe you do not have the TEMP compensation for your SC though.
Panel stuff... In parallel your voltages VMP need to be pretty close... The lowest voltage panel will take precedence. Lots to read about that. It is a waste of $ to invest in an MPPT controller if your panels are in the 17's VMP. There are cheap PWM controllers with minimum features which I would not recommend.
Because you are up there in cold country you would really benefit from having a PWM controller with Temperature compensation.
A battery that is cool, below 70deg F needs it's charge voltage raised. My batteries when cold... 50 deg physically will see 14.9 vdc from my morningstar solar controller because of temp comp... If it were to be 14.3 or so I would take forever to get back to 100%.. This applies to our conventional CONVERTERS.... Progressive dynamics, Iota's etc.
So first step is to get a good temp comp PWM controller in my opinion.
The best and gives you room for that 4th panel if needed. You will have to purchase the sensor for temp.... separate. Morningstar Tristar 45 amp with temp comp
https://www.solar-electric.com/trts12vochco.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItuSEwdn_1gIVlGB-Ch1kPgcGEAQYASABEgKc2vD_BwE
Second best.... Renology 30amp PWM with temp comp
https://www.renogy.com/renogy-wanderer-30a-pwm-charge-controller/
In the OP's situation with the Bogart SC this is what he needs... if he does not have it.
https://www.altestore.com/store/meters-communications-site-analysis/meters-battery-monitors/ammeters-voltmeters-battery-monitors/bogart-engineering-temperature-sensor-for-sc-2030-charge-controller-p11729/
Those that like to read and learn here is what I wrote about the cold battery subject 11 years ago!
Shivering Batteries:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18898156/print/true.cfm
Jim
