Progressive Dynamics charger/converter for 2 Trojan T-105’s

[Rail_Dawg]

My trailer came with a basic charger/converter and cheap 12V battery.

Want to install 2 T-105’s AGM’s.

I assume the factory charger/converter won’t be enough to charge the Trojans correctly.

I will be dry-camping a lot with good generator.

What is the proper Progressive Dynamics charger/converter to charge the Trojans?

Thanks!

[Rail_Dawg]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Picked up a 345 watt panel today which should apply enough amperage to properly charge the 2 Trojan T-105 AGM's.


Picked up a 345 watt panel today which should apply enough amperage to properly finish charge the 2 Trojan T-105 AGM's.

That’s the main reason we have the 8k generator I mentioned earlier.

Figured the gen would do the grunt work and the solar would get the batteries topped off properly.

Thanks to this forum we’ve picked up some great tips.

[Rail_Dawg]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
If you have a 6 lane to one lane freeway bottleneck amperage because of too small of factory wiring you will be an unhappy camper.

Good point.

I always wire one gauge more than needed.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

If you have a 6 lane to one lane freeway bottleneck amperage because of too small of factory wiring you will be an unhappy camper.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Picked up a 345 watt panel today which should apply enough amperage to properly charge the 2 Trojan T-105 AGM's.


Picked up a 345 watt panel today which should apply enough amperage to properly finish charge the 2 Trojan T-105 AGM's.

[Rail_Dawg]

Almot wrote:

Rail Dawg wrote:

... I'm going to have roughly 350 watts at 24 or 36 volts going into a dual Trojan T-105 AGM 12 volt battery bank.

No, you are not 🙂

If bank is 12 volts, controller will detect it and will push only ~13 volts.

MPPT will convert high voltage of panels into lower volts and higher amps.
A=W/13V, so 350W will get you about 25A max, after all the losses.

I didn't word it correctly perhaps.

I was trying to say I would have 24 or 36 volts from the solar array going into the MPPT and then approx 12 volts going into the Trojans.

But you guys definitely are helpful.

Picked up a 345 watt panel today which should apply enough amperage to properly charge the 2 Trojan T-105 AGM's.

Looking forward to installing this system and seeing a good result.

[Almot]

Rail Dawg wrote:

... I'm going to have roughly 350 watts at 24 or 36 volts going into a dual Trojan T-105 AGM 12 volt battery bank.

No, you are not 🙂

If bank is 12 volts, controller will detect it and will push only ~13 volts.

MPPT will convert high voltage of panels into lower volts and higher amps.
A=W/13V, so 350W will get you about 25A max, after all the losses.

[Almot]

Why limiting yourself to 350W when you can have more?

30A*100V MPPT can handle 450-500W array.

Install 2*230W or 2*240W.

I am running 2*245W on 30A*100V MPPT.

[time2roll]

brulaz wrote:
Watt limitation on solar wiring? I've only heard of the 30A limit on 10ga and 20A on 12ga. Always presumed that was good up to 100V, the usual mppt limit.

My MC4 wire is rated 600 volts. And yes you can get a controller rated 600 volts input.

My home system uses the same wire but operates at 450+ volts to the grid tie inverter. Panels rated 3kW.

[time2roll]

Rail Dawg wrote:

time2roll wrote:
You only need a larger controller if you have more solar wattage.

Dumb question then can I double my solar wattage to say 36v 700 watts and still use the MPPT 100/30 controller?

Thanks.

The controller will limit power to 30 amps.

You would have to get a higher rated controller or go 24 volt on the battery to pass through 700 watts.

[2oldman]

brulaz wrote:
Watt limitation on solar wiring?

At different voltages, yes.

[brulaz]

2oldman wrote:

Rail Dawg wrote:
What is the recommended voltage for the solar panels?.

I'm not sure there is such a thing. In my case it was determined by the #10 wires from the roof to the basement. They will max out at about 360w at 12v. I have 835w.

Watt limitation on solar wiring? I've only heard of the 30A limit on 10ga and 20A on 12ga. Always presumed that was good up to 100V, the usual mppt limit.

[Rail_Dawg]

time2roll wrote:
You only need a larger controller if you have more solar wattage.

Dumb question then can I double my solar wattage to say 36v 700 watts and still use the MPPT 100/30 controller?

Thanks.

[time2roll]

You only need a larger controller if you have more solar wattage.

[Rail_Dawg]

time2roll wrote:
Yes that 355 watt panel feeding a Victron 100/30 will put up to 30 amps into your battery.
Sheet says up to 440 watts so get a little bigger is OK too.

Oh good thanks.

Wanted to make the right decision going with the 100/30.

What if wanted to add 2 additional T-105 AGM's for a total of 4 same 12V voltage.

Would I need bigger MPPT?