Comments appreciated3x250W serial connected panels, flat mounted (4 degree slope), no shadows on 12/24/14 in Oceanside, CA (33.2117° N) and MS MPPT 60 controller. There were high clouds by 10am and variable clouds for the remainder of the day. Batteries were fully charged at the start so DC loads were added that exceeded the controller output during the day.Solar harvest was 113 AH for the day. Does this seem like a ball park harvest considering the short days, low sun elevation and clouds?Controller Amps OutputPanel Specs

As you pointed out, a lot of variables to this solar stuff.I have 710w, 2 8d batts and run a unline icemaker about 16 hrs a day threw a 2 k inverter. Daily harvest averages 160-215ah while out camping. Heading to Salton sea all next week. Will post some averages when I get back.Congrats on your solar your gona love it!

It is hard to tell what you should be getting to see if your set-up has any "issues" unless it is clear blue at high noon. And then the panels have to be pointed at the sun, not flat, to use your panel ratings for your "expected amps."At least your curve is the right shape, so that's a good sign.Your installation photos would look good in this forum instead of the other one :) Probably go in the forum library thread with the others too.

CA Traveler wrote:Batteries were fully charged at the start so DC loads were added that exceeded the controller output during the day.Solar harvest was 113 AH for the day. Does this seem like a ball park harvest considering the short days, low sun elevation and clouds?If the batteries were fully charged at the start, wouldn't that significantly decrease the need for amps, hence the very low 113ah?

It would be "nice" to validate the solar output with someone in the same area with a flat install. Next summer the "sun till tilt" and be closer to aligning itself with my panels. I'm tracking several other variable that I can make available if that is helpful. I'm planning on power from 3 flat panels to be equivalent to 2 tilted panels.As I've posted before the average person tilts their panels 7 times. My average will be 0 times. Requested that the installation thread be moved to this forum.

CA Traveler wrote:I'm planning on power from 3 flat panels to be equivalent to 2 tilted panels.My experience is that isn't going to happen. Especially in series.

First Solar Harvest | Good Sam Community

big_buford
Explorer
Dec 26, 2014
As you pointed out, a lot of variables to this solar stuff.

I have 710w, 2 8d batts and run a unline icemaker about 16 hrs a day threw a 2 k inverter. Daily harvest averages 160-215ah while out camping. Heading to Salton sea all next week. Will post some averages when I get back.

Congrats on your solar your gona love it!
BFL13
Explorer II
Dec 26, 2014
It is hard to tell what you should be getting to see if your set-up has any "issues" unless it is clear blue at high noon. And then the panels have to be pointed at the sun, not flat, to use your panel ratings for your "expected amps."

At least your curve is the right shape, so that's a good sign.

Your installation photos would look good in this forum instead of the other one :) Probably go in the forum library thread with the others too.
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 26, 2014
CA Traveler wrote:
Batteries were fully charged at the start so DC loads were added that exceeded the controller output during the day.

Solar harvest was 113 AH for the day. Does this seem like a ball park harvest considering the short days, low sun elevation and clouds?

If the batteries were fully charged at the start, wouldn't that significantly decrease the need for amps, hence the very low 113ah?
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 26, 2014
It would be "nice" to validate the solar output with someone in the same area with a flat install. Next summer the "sun till tilt" and be closer to aligning itself with my panels. I'm tracking several other variable that I can make available if that is helpful.

I'm planning on power from 3 flat panels to be equivalent to 2 tilted panels.

As I've posted before the average person tilts their panels 7 times. My average will be 0 times.

Requested that the installation thread be moved to this forum.
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 26, 2014
CA Traveler wrote:
I'm planning on power from 3 flat panels to be equivalent to 2 tilted panels.
My experience is that isn't going to happen. Especially in series.
BFL13
Explorer II
Dec 26, 2014
I can give you an idea what you should get at 49.3N in mid-May sunny all day :)

750/130 x 56AH = 323AH + 10% for MPPT = 356AH Flat. - Expected amps at high noon approx. 46 amps
750/130 x 70AH = 404AH + 10% = 444AH Tilted South- Expected amps at high noon approx. 53 amps

To get same AH flat as 2 panels tilted would be 2 x 444/356 = 2.5 panels flat but that is at 49.3N mid May. With the sun higher, the difference between flat and tilted is less. (I can't see what series or parallel has to do with that)
time2roll
Nomad
Dec 26, 2014
30 amps peak to the battery seems about right for December. You will do good to get 45/50 amps on a cool sunny day late in June.
MrWizard
Moderator
Dec 26, 2014
I'd say you did well
My 505w got me 67.23 ah , yesterday and I don't have to add extra load as my fridge and pc etc..draw enough power
You have 50% more watts and got 68% more amp hrs
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 27, 2014
12/26/14 clear sky and the harvest was 173 AH. The highest battery current was 29.8A.
big_buford
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
Bam! Now your up and rolling! :B

Forum Discussion

First Solar Harvest

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Testing potential solar harvest?

Solar

Harvest Host

Solar panel

2018 Ram Trucks - Harvest Edition