Unyalli
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Re: Where is best location for solar controller
westend wrote: If you are considering an MPPT controller, there is better efficiency by using a larger, nominal 24V solar panel, than 2 X 100W panels. For the smaller, nominal 12V panels, you won't gain much buying a more expensive MPPT charge controller. Nominal 24V panels typically operate at 36V or so. To get the most out of the harvest, an MPPT charge controller is warranted. FWIW, I have a 235W panel and a Morningstar MPPT-15 charge controller. It harvests 15 amps on a bright, sunny day when the batteries are not full. Charge controllers are more efficient when mounted as close to the batteries as possible. I'm sorry westend but I have to pipe in here. Depending on where you live is the difference. The best prices I find on solar panels is solarblvd.com. Shipping 2 140 watt panels (FedEx) is way cheaper than 1 280 watt panel (Truck Freight). 2 140's "in series" equal 1 280 and easier to handle. By the way, #2 is best choice. Here is a suggestion Morningstar SS-MPPT-15L Mount in the bottom of your properly vented battery box and hydrogen is not a problem. - Jeff791Views0likes0CommentsRe: Iverter and Solar Power Questions:Help Appreciated
Additionally nothing wrong with a hybrid system. If your inverter is an advanced inverter/charger like Magnum MS2012. You can bulk charge in the morning simultaneously while running coffee pot or microwave (not at same time on 2000 watt generator) via cost effective generator like Champion inverter generator. 30 minutes quiet inverter generator will make up hours of low capacity solar while everyone else is making noise waking up.529Views0likes0CommentsRe: Iverter and Solar Power Questions:Help Appreciated
Regardless of grandstanding, diploma bloviating, etc.. off grid is about batteries. Power used has to be replenished. When solar/wind/hydro is not providing power your battery bank (tank) is. 12 volt DC or 120 volt AC via inverter regardless. You have to put this power back into the tank. Knowing the status of your tank is paramount. FLA's should never be depleted more than 50%. Want them to last don't go below 70%. AKA 30% used. I would not blow money on a stand alone battery monitor like the trimeteric. Back in the day when morningstar was king this was mandatory. When advanced solar battery chargers (solar controllers) included this it was no longer valid. Midnitesolar, is the only one with this in a small cost effective "controller" the Kid. If you have studied 3 stage charging you have found ending absorb correctly is the issue. ALL "controllers" do this by guessing EXCEPT Midnite and Magnum. Monitoring battery via shunt allows these "chargers" to end absorb via real data. I would expect Victron to do this and if they do it is hidden in collegiate (obscure) documentation. - Jeff529Views0likes0CommentsRe: Iverter and Solar Power Questions:Help Appreciated
cruising spud wrote: So, just when I thought I was becoming an invertor pro, I realized that now I have to go on to "Understanding Batteries, 101." :) I am going to come away from this with a lot of new information. I'm glad we are not leaving for our bit trip until the summer. I certainly have the time to learn. Thank you, one and all. I'm with you. Once my solar learning became secondary to power learning it all opened up. Understand, power is not pushed, it is drawn. - Jeff529Views0likes0CommentsRe: Iverter and Solar Power Questions:Help Appreciated
MrWizard wrote: all of this is more about the 'batteries' than the solar Was waiting for someone to go here. Using electricity while not connected to shore power (generator or pedestal) equals batteries. At minimum you need enough battery to get through the night. At minimum. A true battery monitor would allow you to understand your power requirements before buying any battery charging devices such as Solar charge controller or Inverter/Charger. The problem with this is if you plan on buying excellent equipment. The Midnite Solar Kid is not only a top notch Solar battery charger and highly recommended, with the Wizbang Jr add on its a true battery monitor along with other advanced features most other charge controllers don't have. Best to learn about batteries first. Especially the charging section. https://www.solar-electric.com/learning-center/batteries-and-charging/deep-cycle-battery-faq.html Here is a fun little video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz5QTrtaHAo&t=4s By the way, if your RV powercenter says WFCO and is stock your current battery charger is junk. - Jeff529Views0likes0CommentsRe: How do you run your generator?
2112 wrote: I witnessed one of these in operation last year at a county fair. He was running a Champ 3500 under it. He added a V shaped panel covered with what felt like metallic scouring pad material at the exhaust side. I was impressed with how well it worked. Now I know where he acquired it. Thanks When I first saw it it was quieting an open frame 3500/4000 RV ready unit also. I heard a difference. - Jeff594Views0likes0Comments
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