After years of thinking about it, I’m about to get a solar setup. I live 5 minutes from SolarBlvd in Norco, so I will get most the stuff from them. The plan is to use the 140w Solar Cynergy panel ($175) and Morningstar Sunsaver SS-10 controller ($45-). I’ll also get the Z mounts and cable from them (after I measure to determine how much cable I need). This setup should keep my 4 6v Sam’s Club batteries topped off while in storage, and give me some replenishment when on multi-day trips.My question is regarding a display for the controller. SolorBlvd packages this panel with a Phocos controller and Phocos CMM display that supposedly shows voltage and load current (is this the same as draw?). However, I’ve read negative reviews on both Phocos devices and positive reviews on the Morningstar controller. If I go with the Morningstar controller and hide it behind a cabinet, what sort of display should I get? Keep in mind this entire setup will be approx $260-; I don‘t want to spend hundreds on a display.BTW – currently, I use a simple $20- volt meter that is plugged into one of the TV power outlets. I check it every morning. 12.3 to 12.6 is good; 12.2 or less means I need to run the generator sometime that day.

IMO you don't need any display other than the voltmeter you are already using and the way you use it. All the solar will do differently is affect those morning voltage amounts. With any luck you will go longer before they get down to 12.2.During the day you will see the voltage climb to whatever it gets to, which will tell you the solar is working ok.

I bought the $288 solar package from SolarBlvd and it included the Phocos controller. First one was defective and they sent me a second one in no time. Great customer service! But the second one gave me concerns that it wasn't working up to par so I replaced it with a morningstar....GREAT unit. I suggested to SolarBlvd that they should offer this unit as an extra cost upgrade.I recently added a Trimetric solar controller readout thingy and I love playing with it. It tells you amps in and amps out, voltage, % of bateery remaining, charge cycle and a few dozen other things that I don't really understand.......But it looks cool and is fun to play with.As the other folks said, totally not needed, but I love "info"..... :-)

It's hard to go too far wrong with a $30 (shipped) Turnigy Watt Meter from Hobbyking.com. It comes from Hong Kong so you have to allow 2-3 weeks. It only adds up to 65 amps for some reason, so like Mr Wizard here does, you can put a switch in the lead for it, and reset it every day to measure the next day's solar.I've just got one and am enjoying it. It shows amps, volts, and watts (I think) at all times, and the fourth display position cycles through time connected, minimum volts since connected, total AH, total WH, peak amps, and peak watts. That's all from memory so I could be missing something. As Wiz pointed out, the minimum volts is nice to tell you how low you started your day at. And obviously the AH tells you how much you've put back in.It's only one directional, which sounds to be okay for what you are looking to do. It does have automatic backlighting. As long as it is connected to the batteries, it will display. So that's another reason to add a switch. It installs simply, inline between controller and batteries.http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=10080&aff=500143

I’ll also get the Z mounts and cable from them (after I measure to determine how much cable I need). Tell them to keep Z-mounts, those are useless for RV installations. Cable: you need 2 different kinds in different length, a cable from panel to controller AND much thicker cable from controller to battery. As to the display - you don't need it in this case. But you could get either of those, in order of increased cost and functions: 1) Turnigy $30. I think it needs a shunt and you have to re-wire or switch it when you change the mode, and it has to be near battery. But I might be wrong since don't have it.2) Victron battery monitor $1303) Trimetric battery monitor - this one will cost the same or even more than a small PWM controller with display, though will have more bells and whistles.Solar Blvd is a reputable store but they do sell cr-ap as well. Morningstar is a reputable brand, but from looking at brief description I can't see what is the bulk voltage and whether it is a 3-stage and if so what are the setpoints. Disposable Chinese electronics is getting cheaper, but raw materials are getting scarce at the same time (and this is not a coincidence). Replacing the prematurely died battery will cost you a bit.

Where is the Victron for $130? My Trimetric was around $200 by the time I paid shipping and duties and for the cable it needs to the shunt. You can get PWM controllers with V and A display for well under $100.Of course you then can't even see the stupid display because you mounted the controller up by the batteries where it belongs, which is unfortunately out of sight in many (most) rigs. So if you don't have a voltmeter you watch anyway like the OP has, maybe for another kazzilion bucks you can get a remote display for the controller--if you pay extra for the fancier controller that takes a remote--- They do want your money, so why fight it? :)

Display for PWM Controller? | Good Sam Community

Old___Slow
Explorer
Sep 23, 2013
RJsfishin wrote:
Ever heard of ebay,.....all for 15 bucks

I disagree w/ others. If your 1 of 2 panels quit, how are you going to know that w/o an ammeter ?

CVD,

I too like the folks at SolarBlvd. One dollar per watt ain't to bad.

RJ-the fisherman,

Because you posted this picture in a post some time ago, I ordered what you show. Hope that is okay?

The 15a Solar controller was $15 on Ebay at the time I ordered.

The 'Duel Panel V/A meter w/shunt was $16.99 at the time I ordered.

Now JR, where did you get that nice BLUE cable (panel to controller?) or is that maybe blue tape?

Thanks for all the help I find in your posts.

O&S
Floyd
CVD
Explorer
Sep 23, 2013
Thanks for the help everyone. I just bought the 140W Solar Cynergy panel for only $139- (it had been $175 just a couple days ago). Will pick up the panel and Morningstar SS-10 tomorrow, then start measuring for cable and plan out this project over the next couple days.
Almot
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2013
CVD wrote:
OK, what do I look for in mounts for a fiberglass RV roof?

Check the list of completed solar projects here at the forum.

It's not just the roof material, it's the brackets shape. What you need is an L-shaped bracket, like a piece of 2x2 aluminum angle. You bolt it to the rivet nut in panel side. OTH, with Z-bracket you attach it to panel bottom first and then to the roof, and to remove the panel you have to rip the bracket foot off the roof - not a good idea.

The foot of the L is attached to the roof and this is where roof material matters. If flat fiberglass, some people took chances with VHB double-sided tape. If crowned - well nut is the way to go, and it would work on a flat roof too. Some drove tapping screws in, because there were metal braces underneath. With well nuts you have to make sure not to hit the braces of course.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
CVD, for a small controller, I think you'll find the Sunsaver does all those things you want. Make sure to mount it near the batteries, in the same temperature area, if possible. On cold days it will bump up the voltage, and knock it down on warm days, which is great. I've seen 14.8v around 50F. That's good and will safely speed your charging.
westend
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
mena661 wrote:
BFL13 wrote:
I should have known that Mena got a Victron instead of a Trimetric because it costs less, and not as claimed, because it does some weird Peukert thing! :)
The secret's out! :B Almot, I wouldn't rate the Victron below the Trimetric in features. It has features the Trimetric doesn't like the aforementioned Peukert exponent setting (think Lithium Ion...is there Peukert?) and various alarm settings. I liked the small physical size too. And it was cheaper than the Trimetric. :)
All true about Victron and it looks better too!:B
mena661
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
BFL13 wrote:
I should have known that Mena got a Victron instead of a Trimetric because it costs less, and not as claimed, because it does some weird Peukert thing! :)
The secret's out! :B Almot, I wouldn't rate the Victron below the Trimetric in features. It has features the Trimetric doesn't like the aforementioned Peukert exponent setting (think Lithium Ion...is there Peukert?) and various alarm settings. I liked the small physical size too. And it was cheaper than the Trimetric. :)
Dakzuki
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2013
I would buy wiring and charge controller for at least double the wattage you are currently buying for expansion at a later date. I think you are going to find with 4 batteries you want more wattage and will be adding more panel(s).
CVD
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
All - Thanks to all for the responses. For now, I'll forgo an extra display and just monitor the setup via the voltage meter.

Almot wrote:
...Tell them to keep Z-mounts, those are useless for RV installations... .

OK, what do I look for in mounts for a fiberglass RV roof?

Almot wrote:
...Morningstar is a reputable brand, but from looking at brief description I can't see what is the bulk voltage and whether it is a 3-stage and if so what are the setpoints...

I found the datasheet on the Morningstar support page. It says "Charging stages: Bulk, absorption, float, equalize" Sounds like a Bulk, plus 3 stage controller.

"Regulation Voltage" is listed at 14.4v for flooded cell batteries, I'm guessing this is bulk voltage.

I suppose all I care about is" 1) is bulk high enough to fully charge the batteries, and 2) does the float stage kicks in properly and prevent overcharging when it sits in storage in the summer sun.

http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/support/library/SunSaverENG_R3_5_12web1.pdf
BFL13
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2013
I should have known that Mena got a Victron instead of a Trimetric because it costs less, and not as claimed, because it does some weird Peukert thing! :)
Almot
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2013
BFL13 wrote:
Where is the Victron for $130?

Was a while ago. I see Victron for $148 now.

Yes, controller with built-in display is cheaper, and yes, you won't see that display from the inside of the rig, because controller is usually mounted close to batteries. But then again, you don't need to see it every hour or even every day. Go to the closet where it's sitting in, and have a look if you don't have anything better to do :)

With a voltmeter that the OP has, he doesn't need any additional display. Current out of controller is about the only useful value to watch, and not terribly important. This is just something to play with, to keep you busy. If and when something happens to panels or wiring and current stops flowing in, the battery voltage will tell the truth. Then you grab a multimeter and go find what's wrong.