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RE: Charge controller recommendations
This has been one of the most enlightening threads (of mine) in a LONG time. And entertaining too! I think I'm going to go with the Morningstar MPPT 15 amp controller, mostly because I don't want to tackle the job of removing the panels to rewire them. As I've hinted several times, I installed them to stay put. On top of that I will gain some features and options that I think will be useful.
Even if I didn't acknowledge it individually, I would like to thank you all for your input. I followed every link and looked at every suggestion, and was seriously swayed more than once.
I think if I had it to do it again, I would install the panels in a much more versatile and accessible manner, and would probably opt to cut my teeth on a PWM controller the first time around.
For the skeptics, my TM-2020 battery monitor NEVER showed my batteries being absolutely fully charged until I added solar, and that's despite the flaky charge controller. Like many, I have a (35 amp) WFCO converter that is hesitant to go into bulk mode.
THANK YOU!! :)
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BillyW
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05/20/13 10:35pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charge controller recommendations
Yet no actual PWM models are suggested. As if all PWM is all the same.
YES!! I totally agree! Aside from Salvo's link below, nobody has really suggested a PWM controller. Especially one that would be considered reputable, yet cheap enough to be a viable alternative to MPPT.
That doesn't sound right. You mentioned Voc = 21V. Connect two panels in series and you get 42V, not 12V.
As mentioned before, your best bet is to connect panels in parallel and use a pwm controller.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-30A-Solar-Charge-Controller-Regulator-12V-24V-Battery-Charging-PWM-Solar-Panel-/221142180373?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item337d19e215
As for the 6 volt comment, if they are in series, they should be equal to a 12 volt panel.
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BillyW
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05/20/13 01:05pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charge controller recommendations
My current charge controller is in the same compartment as the converter, and therefore connected to the battery cables at the same location (Essentially the output of both devices are wired together). I plan on installing the new one in the same location. Does anybody see a problem with this?
For 150w or even 225w it is fine. I assume the battery connection is not 70' of #10.
That's what I thought. It's more like 15' of #6, which I know is already marginal for two batteries. I also have a cutoff switch at the output of the charge controller to further isolate it when necessary.
Thanks for the feedback.
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BillyW
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05/19/13 05:42pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charge controller recommendations
My current charge controller is in the same compartment as the converter, and therefore connected to the battery cables at the same location (Essentially the output of both devices are wired together). I plan on installing the new one in the same location. Does anybody see a problem with this?
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BillyW
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05/19/13 01:25pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charge controller recommendations
That doesn't sound right. You mentioned Voc = 21V. Connect two panels in series and you get 42V, not 12V.
When the panels are configured as 12v, the voc was around 21v. If I configure the panels as 6v, I'm sure the voc would be much lower. In fact, I just found this data sheet that I think is for my panels. It indicates 12v voc of 21.7 and 6v voc of 10.9.
The 2 panels are mounted in a very permanent fashion, It may be worth it to just leave them alone and add a charge controller that's compatible and can still accommodate a third one. Not that I want to throw money away, but the only expense in this whole endeavor is the controller and associated hardware.
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BillyW
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05/18/13 01:50pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charge controller recommendations
I guess what I was trying to say is that despite being measly 75 watt panels, they are feature rich, and perform reasonably well. And the price was right (free).
Commercial grade in this case means they were actually in commercial use before they became available to me. They were part of a backup power system for a remote location that suffered fire damage.
As for the 6 volt comment, if they are in series, they should be equal to a 12 volt panel.
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BillyW
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05/18/13 12:34am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charge controller recommendations
It's been a long time, but I believe the voc was around 21 volts.
If I choose to not bother with the third panel, I probably won't bother with MPPT again either.
These panels are older, but are commercial grade and perform well in a wide variety of conditions. Low light and shadows have not been a big issue. And don't forget that 6 volt setting. Maybe I should leave them in series and try that.
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BillyW
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05/17/13 10:21pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charge controller recommendations
A lot of great info! I already have a TM2020, so display is not important. Wired in series has worked out very well until the BZ controller chose to go wacky.
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BillyW
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05/16/13 02:46pm |
Tech Issues
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Charge controller recommendations
I have a small solar charging system consisting of two 12v 75w panels wired in series and a failing cheap MPPT charge controller. I may be acquiring another identical panel too. I'm currently leaning toward the Morningstar 15 Amp MPPT model. I looked at that Eco-worthy model that several forum members purchased, but am now a bit gun shy about off brands. I don't think it could handle a third panel in series either. Bluesky doesn't appear to offer anything that fits my system at a reasonable price point. I couldn't tell what Rogue had available.
I also seem to remember that my panels can be configured for 6v operation which may open the door to some of those marginal controllers.
Any thoughts or recommendations?
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BillyW
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05/15/13 08:04pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: WDW8 Q?
I'm not familiar with Toshiba's but you can usually control that behavior in the BIOS.
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BillyW
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05/15/13 12:45pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: intel-core vs AMD
Really for the average user, either brand of CPU is fine. For laptops I lean toward Intel's processors. I think you get a little more performance and efficiency. If I was currently buying I think the core I5 is in the sweet spot. Get a minimum of 6Gb of RAM. As mentioned, if you include an SSD instead of conventional hard drive, your new computer will be a screamer.
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BillyW
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05/13/13 09:01am |
Technology Corner
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RE: DIY, cheap repair for torn vinyl roof?
Eternabond. Do it right, it'll last as long as the rest of your roof.
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BillyW
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05/05/13 11:37am |
General RVing Issues
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Running wire in the ceiling (and other stuff)
I've almost completed my Winter upgrades, but now I need to remove a ceiling mounted speaker to facilitate snaking wire. How do you gain access? Does that cover pop off? Do you twist it? (This is an '04 Fleetwood Pioneer trailer)
On a somewhat related note, what can a person do about those wrinkles/creases that occur at the ceiling panel seams (where they join and are covered by plastic trim)? This last Winter seems to have taken a particularly hard toll on them.
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BillyW
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05/03/13 10:06pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Using Clamp-On Multimeter to Check a/c Surge Current
It can be a lot of fun (and a bit nerdy) to go to those extremes, but the results still aren't necessarily all that valuable. The compressor initial start up is the deal breaker for a generator. There have been some great conversations on this forum over the years about hard start capacitors and even fan start-up delay circuits. I've installed both with great success. My generator (similar to the one you're talking about) has a MUCH easier job now.
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BillyW
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05/03/13 09:47pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: F150 rear axle gear change
Ooops! Double post!
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BillyW
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04/29/13 08:18pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: F150 rear axle gear change
The standard 4.6L F150 had the 8.8" diff. But you mentioned in an earlier post that yours is the heavy duty model, which I think has the 7 lug wheels. I don't know, but I would bet a lot it's not an 8.8.
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BillyW
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04/29/13 07:51pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: F150 with 4.6 V-8 & 3.55 gears
My '97 4.6 seriously struggled when pulling our travel trailer (5500-6000 lb) with the same 3.55 gear ratio. Upgrading to 4.10 made all the difference in the world. I'd consider 4.30 like already mentioned too.
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BillyW
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04/28/13 09:41am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Hard drive disposal
Now's your chance to see what the inside of one looks like. disassemble it and marvel at the engineering and design. Then remove the disk(s) and use them as survival mirrors. Remove the magnets and use them for sticking a phonebook to your fridge. The first time I removed magnets from a hard drive, they drew blood. I wasn't prepared for just how powerful they are.
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BillyW
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04/24/13 10:21am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Outdoors RV shell framing?
Sorry, only Silver-Fox models of Arctic Fox are aluminum framed.
(owned Northwoods for 12 years, toured the factory twice)
The current brochure disagrees with you. All AF trailers appear to have aluminum frames.
Outdoors RV website has a Buyers Guide link that shows wood construction in several places but doesn't specifically say how they're framed. I'm betting they are wood.
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BillyW
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04/22/13 11:15am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: F150 Ecoboost for Dummies
Aside from the intake condensation issue and a transmission programming issue, I have heard very little bad about the Ecoboost. I haven't heard of even one actual failure. Since I live in the northwest where humidity is NEVER an issue, I wouldn't hesitate to own even an early model. It doesn't sound all that common even under the worst conditions.
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BillyW
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04/21/13 08:22pm |
Tow Vehicles
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