Solar System Sanity Check

[HuckFinn410]

I am doing a wheels up camper conversion on a 2005 high top Sprinter van. The amount of research, build thread reading, Amazon searching and ordering and time involved in this is staggering. …but in a good way. It’s an exciting project!! We’ve wired up the LED’s, Water pump, MaxxAir Fan, back up camera….getting ready to insulate.

So, my question today is about solar. I’ve spent dozens of hours reading many of the opinions and “Experts”, and there are a ton of them.

The amount of information is amazing and intimidating. Probably the most intimidating part of this entire build. I am trying to keep on a fairly tight budget. No lithium batteries for me!

I am weekend warrior. I have no plans to fulltime in this thing. Out a few days and then back home.

I have done my usage calculations and this is my plan –

• 2 Costco Golf Cart Batteries 200 AH (vented and secured inside the van) 2 X $85
• 200 Watt Renogy System from Amazon $339 Includes a PWM controller
• Adding a battery monitoring panel $20
• Adding a 1500 watt modified sine wave inverter (brand tbd) $350 +/-


Is there anything I am missing? Of course we will have all the proper bits, fuses and connections in place. My research tends to have me leaning toward the PWM controller. Not enough major benefits for a 200W system to spend extra for MPPT.

I am open to your suggestions.

I have read the great information posted by pianotuna…..and by handybob. Very informative..thank you

I just need some help before I pull the trigger on ordering all this stuff.

Thank you

HuckFinn

[SoundGuy]

HuckFinn410 wrote:
Adding a 1500 watt modified sine wave inverter ...

With just two GC-2 6 volt batteries I'd limit the inverter size to 1000 watts (or less) and put the $$$ into a PSW inverter that will run anything, unlike the MSW that may cause issues with some devices.

[time2roll]

HuckFinn410 wrote:
to answer you question.

The only thing I need to run. at this time, on the inverter is likely a CPAP machine.....using zero humidification. Maybe to charge the phones....although the 12V plugs can do that. Kindle's charged up once in awhile. Occasional laptop charging on the inverter......and maybe, just maybe a low wattage hair dryer for my wife. I sent her the link for the Doggie low watt hair dryer yesterday. She wasn't flattered...

Plan seems fine for this. I think you really only need 300 watts except for the hair dryer.
Any medical device (CPAP) will specify sine wave only. If it has a brick to supply low voltage DC it may work fine but we never know with MSW.

[HuckFinn410]

Padlin wrote:
For the same $350 you can get the Xantrex SW2000 Pure Sine Wave from Best Converter.

sorry. misread your post. yes, that is a good inverter. Thank you

[HuckFinn410]

OP here.

$350 was for the 200 W solar kit, complete. Batteries and Inverter is extra.

[Padlin]

For the same $350 you can get the Xantrex SW2000 Pure Sine Wave from Best Converter.

[napadan]

Boon Docker wrote:
If you are planning on using the inverter to power a microwave do not get a MSW, get a pure sine wave. A lot of microwaves do not play well with MSW inverters. Depending on the size of your microwave you may want to go up to a 2000 watt inverter.

x2.

[westend]

The Grape brand solar panels and the Grape 45 amp charge controller are well regarded products on this Forum. They are available at Home Depot for $ 0 shipping cost and are about comparable in price to the Renogy products you've listed.

[MrWizard]

Go with a 1000 watt inverter, and a hair dryer with two or more heat settings
If she goes to high the inverter will shut off, reset run on low
Quickly learns no high heat setting

[HuckFinn410]

time2roll wrote:
Two batteries is a bit light for 1500 watts. What do you expect to run?

> Members Solar Installations With Pics

to answer you question.

The only thing I need to run. at this time, on the inverter is likely a CPAP machine.....using zero humidification. Maybe to charge the phones....although the 12V plugs can do that. Kindle's charged up once in awhile. Occasional laptop charging on the inverter......and maybe, just maybe a low wattage hair dryer for my wife. I sent her the link for the Doggie low watt hair dryer yesterday. She wasn't flattered...

[HuckFinn410]

time2roll wrote:
Two batteries is a bit light for 1500 watts. What do you expect to run?

> Members Solar Installations With Pics

wow....that will keep me busy.

Thank you very much for providing that.

[time2roll]

Two batteries is a bit light for 1500 watts. What do you expect to run?

> Members Solar Installations With Pics

[Boon_Docker]

If you are planning on using the inverter to power a microwave do not get a MSW, get a pure sine wave. A lot of microwaves do not play well with MSW inverters. Depending on the size of your microwave you may want to go up to a 2000 watt inverter.

[HuckFinn410]

good article. sensible. Thank you

[NYCgrrl]

I can't tell you if you are missing anything but can pass on a link I've found informative:

http://routealto80.blogspot.com/2016/06/solar-upgrade-part-1-solar-musings.html

HTH