I installed Three 100w ronogy (amazon) solar panels on my 990 with Bogart Tri-meter and bogart solar controller.first test run the system is working great.last 2 night we ran TV and Satellite system for around 4 hours (listening to Sirius radio over the satellite TV receiver). Fantastic fan runs 24 hours per day. tonight I think a Phillies game might be on the schedule. I think this combo is running around 11amp load.When I got up this morning Bogart showed me I had 73% battery left.by lunchtime it was back to 98% and showing almost 15V as the finishing touches were but on batteries. This is Two 90Ah AGM's.I really would like to put a load test on this thing. by the time I am in "peak sun" I am already almost charged. I have seen 14a on the solar charge screen once when I checked around 9:30 this morning.Full size picmid 80's in day, mid 60's at night. no need for Generator.This is also the first time towing the S10 with a blue ox tow bar that came with it. worked great. That red tank under front tire is for my extended run kit for the Honda2000. that water tank laying behind RV is to deliver drinking water to the RV.

Bogart is a good way to go. Is 15 volts sort of high for an AGM battery?What profile are you using?

rjxj wrote: Is 15 volts sort of high for an AGM battery?Absorb is around 14.3, so yeah, almost 15 is too high.

Here is a link to my actual batteries. you see on this sheet: change method for cycle use (repeating use)says current less than 27A, and a control voltage is 14.8.than once it meets Bogarts definition of charge (I am using profile 4 which is harder to meet than profile 3) it will drop back to 13.8v for maintain.On the Bogart I am using my own profile based on this info.Always willing to hear any advice that helps me keep these batteries lasting longer.

Nice setup, thanks for sharing.

towpro wrote:Here is a link to my actual batteries. you see on this sheet: change method for cycle use (repeating use)says current less than 27A, and a control voltage is 14.8.than once it meets Bogarts definition of charge (I am using profile 4 which is harder to meet than profile 3) it will drop back to 13.8v for maintain.On the Bogart I am using my own profile based on this info.Always willing to hear any advice that helps me keep these batteries lasting longer.Oh ok, I see. Thanks for posting that

results of solar install | Good Sam Community

JimK-NY
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2017
Lwiddis wrote:
"I am 7 years into my LIfelines, including 2 years of full time use. They still test out at 100 per cent capacity."

Wow! Terrific!

I talked with a Lifeline tech rep and he was surprised especially since I had a cheap single stage controller that was set too high at 13.7 volts.

I went over the numbers with the rep and then even did a second test. Without access to expensive testing equipment, there is some uncertainty in the testing but I came out better than predicted for new batteries so they cannot have deteriorated by much.
towpro
Explorer
Jun 05, 2017
Today it was overcast in morning, so real charging started around 12 when sun was higher in sky and sky cleared. I saw 19.1 amp on solar charge screen at one point
bigfootford
Nomad II
Jun 04, 2017
Lwiddis wrote:
"I am 7 years into my LIfelines, including 2 years of full time use. They still test out at 100 per cent capacity."

Wow! Terrific!

Me too! Lifelines 7 years + and they still produce OEM spec... Amazing...

My solar controller Morning Star Mppt Sunsaveer has a temp sensor... When my battery (s) are cold 50 deg or colder the battery voltage will rise to 14.9......
Troutguy
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Trojan now sells 12V AGM batteries for solar usage. Check the specs on their SAGM 12 205 205 Ah

That battery is $515.97 ea. on the Solarbiz website..........
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2017
Trojan now sells 12V AGM batteries for solar usage. Check the specs on their SAGM 12 205 205 Ah
CAJW
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
Another vote for the Bogart Battery Monitor/Solar Controller combo. Works very well and although I have 50 less watts total (150w rooftop, 100w portable) we have experienced similar stellar performance. Unless we stumble into triple digit temps, I see our genset getting less and less use. Thanks for sharing your results, it's great making power silently, isn't it?
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2017
"I am 7 years into my LIfelines, including 2 years of full time use. They still test out at 100 per cent capacity."

Wow! Terrific!
work2much
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
We have a basic amazon renogy mppt charger with 500 watt/ 425Ah system that has been great for us since November. We don't use AC or microwave but pretty much everything else including the fridge while the sun is out.
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2017
Congratulations on your solar system. With 3 100 watt panels and relatively low use, you should have plenty of power for that 190 AH battery bank.

I was not at all impressed with the battery specs. It does not appear that they are made for prolonged use. They should do just fine for vacation type use but if you are going to hit them with lots of cycles you might consider something better. I am 7 years into my LIfelines, including 2 years of full time use. They still test out at 100 per cent capacity.
Redwoodcamper
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
This is good to hear. Thanks for the review. I have a 200watt system coming from Amazon this week.