More Solar for "Us"

[MrWizard]

Ok, I went off.the deep end?
Bought 3 used 37watt uni-solar panels and a blue sky 2000e controller for the hefty price of $400,
They were being listed as 75w panels, they are not

The tested open circuit voltage was 21+, short circuit amps 2.9
I tested each panel multiple times tilted into the sun and laying flat on the ground , got the same readings each way, that was the deciding factor, they appear to put out full power while laying flat, I will try to mount them tomorrow before it gets hot, right now 104°F
I will use the existing wiring until I buy & install the new wire

[MrWizard]

Spent all day Sunday working on the install of the other two panels
Man I'm exhausted, they are mounted, but not connected
Removing the old panels was really hard, the mounting brackets did not want to come off the roof, if you want something to be permanent just use 3M marine polyurethane to glue or seal it to the roof
It was a time consuming chore to remove them with out ripping the rubber roof to pieces ( rubber roof was an add-on by the first owner )
Even though I reused the brackets they had to be moved because the new panels are a different width
Then clean all the mount areas, then patch/cover all the screw holes and little cuts/tears ( with eternabond ) used pieces big enough to cover the complete area of each previous mount/bracket

You guys who went the uni strut route did the right thing, building a rack system, much easier to service and or change things up

I did use nut serts on the new panels for the brackets, and a Lot less 3M on the bottom of the mounted brackets around the screws

[MrWizard]

Correct...I could replace more panels..
But adding more would make it hard too get on the roof and do anything
I'm pretty good at breaking plumbing vents
And every now and then I need to wash off the panels, tighten screws on the A/C covers etc..

Going to put on the new panels, and install the new to me surplus batteries {but not then the same day} and save up for the fridge mod

[KendallP]

MrWizard wrote:
Roof space exactly as before
Replacing the front panels over the cab
So the center walking space.is still there...

OK. I haven't kept up to speed on your system in quite some time.

So from this I gather there is no more room to expand, only to upgrade... and not much left to upgrade, it appears.

So yes... if correct... then you're resigned to to put resources into the demand side of things, a-la the fridge.

[MrWizard]

Roof space exactly as before
Replacing the front panels over the cab
So the center walking space.is still there
Will do the other two.panels tomorrow

Just got back from buying some batteries
Not yet installed, taking up.floor space , have to top them off before I put them on service

GENESIS 12v EX60 deep discharge 80% DOD 400cycles , 50% 700 cycles , 10% DOD Phenomenal... I'll never cycles them that shallow

[KendallP]

Hey there, Wiz,

So how's the roof real estate look after the latest additions? Any room left for more PV... that won't compromise walking/servicing safety up there?

[MrWizard]

Possibly..except for A/C
Even light MW use be possible

[JiminDenver]

Sounds about right. My array flat runs high 40s with the occasional jump into the 50's. Toss in some cloud effect and it can get up to 57a. Tracking it can run in the mid 50s all day and will produce the alarm that says that the controller has had to clip the amps from time to time.

MrW

Do you think if you got the efficient fridge AND swap out all of the Uni'solars panels that you would be able to go generator free?

[Ductape]

Smart move with the nut certs. Sometimes I have done similarly with double nuts. Fasten bolt thru first component with one nut. Place second component on first nut and secure with second nut. Essentially mounting on studs.

[BFL13]

704/130 x 8.2 = 44 amps aimed at high sun. Be less than that with the flat installation of course. Does explain the concern over controllers. The main thing is to have good cooling ventilation around the controller when it is running near max.

[MrWizard]

on Monday the 8th i ordered (3) new 100w windy Nation poly panels thru Amazon
$137.99 each
they were sceduled for dilivery on Wed june 10,
the first one (only one) arrived yesterday thurs June 11, one day late,
and i Installed it Today, started around 9am finished about 1PM
removed one unisolar 42w and installed (1) 100w
now the other (2) panels arrived this afternoon, and i intend to install on Sunday
replacing (2) more of the unisolar panels
this will still leave me 6 unisolar panels totaling 296w plus the TWO original Siemens 54w panels and the (3) new 100w
approx 704 watts total when the new configuration is complete
correction total wattage is 679 watts
for all previous panels and this one
i bolted the mounting feet (brackets) to the panel with 5/16 nut & bolt, but this can lead to a lot of work if you need to access the wiring or clean under the panels, (my panels are fixed not able to tilt)

for the next two panels i have decided to use my NUT RIVET TOOL
riveting 1/4 nuts (biggest ones i have) to the inside of the frame so i only need to bolt/screw the bracket to the side of the panel from the outside, access to underside will not be needed if i need to remove the bolt and clean underneath check connections etc..

if this works out ,, at some point in the future i will do this to all the panels

[MrWizard]

with Soltist two weeks away, i did a solar charge & load test today

(3) 6" fans, (1) 10" fan, (1) 20" box fan, Fridge, laptop, blinds and drapes shut against the sun and heat,
100amp wfco turned off, A/C running on shore power


flat on the roof my 505 watts gave these totals, by the end of the test the batteries were discharging, probably for the last (4) hours, as watts out dropped below what was being used

2028.7 Whrs aka 2.0287 KwHrs, 148.13 AmpHrs this is Almost 4hrs total of full panel rating

peak amps was 18.35..peak watts was 253.0

i have seen higher charging levels many times (not higher totals just higher peaks are common), but the day started with the batteries in pretty good shape from charging over night and today was hot which reduces panel output as heat goes up

so as you can see, we are power hogs, i see a high efficiency DC compressor fridge in our RV future

[MrWizard]

Friday May 15, 2015
100.19 amp hrs total
1455.0 watt hrs
I think this is the best solar yield so far This Year..

25.18 peak amps
350.5 peak watts

Morning light rain, then mostly clear skies, some clouds

This is an example of what clean cool air, and clean panels can do for solar

[mena661]

Thanks for keeping up with this.

[MrWizard]

yes..still using the Xantrex

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Still using the Xantrex? Thanks for the data.