RE: New to Solar, Some Questons?
I don't know a darn thing. My new 24v/120w panel says: 120Wp/1kw squared AM 1.5/ OOV 3.43.v /OOC 3.78a
As I see it I'm dissapointed.
No need to be. With 24v panels the Isc is half a 12s. (roughly)
The MPPT puts it back to 12v on battery from 24v panel--amps double--now you are good again :).
Sort of like that.
So my MPPT is good for my 24v motor on the scooter and can also work with an 12v batt? ~ my panel is 24v
RE: New to Solar, Some Questons?
I don't know a darn thing. My new 24v/120w panel says: 120Wp/1kw squared AM 1.5/ OOV 3.43.v /OOC 3.78a
As I see it I'm dissapointed.
RE: New to Solar, Some Questons?
I ordered a little different one from: EBay/ lu_cytime208 Led digital 20a PWM $16.98 air mail from HK. We'll see how ordering from HK works out.
O&S
RE: Radically different sized RV solar. Plus solar projects.
Hi-Tech,
Is it possible you might bring over your "Extract" post, so as to have some really great info' all in one place.Later I'll forget all the places to look for Solar info'
Thanks,
O&S
RE: Resource for learning about power options?
The way to initiate a FEASIBILITY study is to describe What It Is You Wish, then read answers and permutations thereof. God how I hate that word :(hmm,
Permutations: Shuffle-combinations of the deck, I'm travel warn and dirty, used up, trying to come up with the Ace high Royal Flush every time.
RE: Radically different sized RV solar. Plus solar projects.
Hmmm,
An old man out racing on his scooter, what a hoot.:B Guys, I better get busy. I have some ideas with the engineering, tilt and all, just a minute, going to weigh that panel, seems heavy, well it's 26 lbs. And 58 3/4" x 26 1/2" It's going to make the 18" wheel base too top heavy for my comfort. I'm gunna see tho'--- DW, are you really going to do this??? Who said something about 'The old man and the sea'?
O&S
RE: Solar question
mena661,
Wow, to much noise for even my old ears:( That is just the reason you made a convert of me to solar. With the awesome batt bank you have, I would have been so happy in the old days of camping. When camping was really camping. Camping was always silent. Now with solar and a great batt bank, that's what got to my soul. Again, what was the cost of your batt bank? If it was $1000, to me, that's okay. Silence at any cost. Now. we're camping folks.
RE: Solar question
Ah, another dreaded WFCO 55. These are notorious for not going to boost mode when expected such as batteries down 50%.
IOTA, PowerMax, Progressive Dynamics are the best replacements. These charge at 14.4+ volts every time to get you to 90%+ in 2 to 3 hours.
On average, got any idea how many watts thay input in boost mode. The question has to do with tring to stay in low rpm with, say, a Honda or yamaha 1000i/2000i. The most silence being the virtue. Personaly, I would rather charge longer, more silent, than to have a gen running loud. But then, she may only charge while hooking up to power.
RE: Radically different sized RV solar. Plus solar projects.
Jim,
I'm excited today to find this thread. Yes, I'm brand new to owning any Solar equipment, so please allow for my total lack of smarts in this wonderful world of Solar energy. The threads running at present are fun to read, however, a high % flies over my bald head. At 80 I'm old and slow. But interested to find your great info'
Yesterday I received in the mail one 15a 12/24v MPPT solar controller. Don't know whats inside the nice case. The quality is in question. The price from Tektrumcorp.com was $49.95 plus $11.50 S&H
This is for the panel to come by Fedex today. 24v/120w. All for my e/scooter having 24v system. Gunna be a sunshade and power maker.
Any help you might offer from time to time will greatly be appreciated.
My 37 foot fiver is 150 miles away from home, down on the Gulf Coast, set up for long term use, fews days now and then.
Thanks, O&S
Floyd
Had a chance to play yet? Do you have the right wiring?
Jim
Haven't had a chance to play yet. Just thinking this AM, better late than never. I am so proud sitting drinking my first cup of joe, I got 'here'. Looking at the 24v/120w panel that came yesterday to go with the cheapo $49.95 MPPT controllar, I would need to go out 3' to just scratch my head. Wow, this is better than stricking oil in my back yard.
A question came to mind. Wonder how much free energy can be harvested FREE under the right conditions in twenty five years, with this little setup? Maybe I'm richer than I think.
OH, this is awesome, Thanks mena611 for lighting my fire and to all you techies for leading me out of the wilderness. Got something to read from this thread already hopefully for ever more. I've outlived the docters predictions by several years, in part due to RV.Net and all the fine guys who contribute.
O&S
Floyd
PS; no Jim haven't done any wiring.
RE: Radically different sized RV solar. Plus solar projects.
Jim,
I'm excited today to find this thread. Yes, I'm brand new to owning any Solar equipment, so please allow for my total lack of smarts in this wonderful world of Solar energy. The threads running at present are fun to read, however, a high % flies over my bald head. At 80 I'm old and slow. But interested to find your great info'
Yesterday I received in the mail one 15a 12/24v MPPT solar controller. Don't know whats inside the nice case. The quality is in question. The price from Tektrumcorp.com was $49.95 plus $11.50 S&H
This is for the panel to come by Fedex today. 24v/120w. All for my e/scooter having 24v system. Gunna be a sunshade and power maker.
Any help you might offer from time to time will greatly be appreciated.
My 37 foot fiver is 150 miles away from home, down on the Gulf Coast, set up for long term use, fews days now and then.
Thanks, O&S
Floyd
RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
12thgenusa
I see my TS MPPT 60 do very similiar operation as what you described with your Rouge (Both excellent MPPT controllers). During a typical day we draw a lot of current from the system (I like to think the array is a almost unlimited power source as compared to a battery charger) The air compressor draws 25 amps, the stereo can draw as much as 15 amps, Swamp cooler 3amps, fans and pumps. This time of year the battery bank is almost always topped off at 100% by 11:00am, while the controller continues to switch between it's different operational modes all day long.
I put this document together a year or so back - not much new but might be of interest to others
Link
Thanks for the helpful info' I have the link flaged. One question. I have read (not saying it's gospel) that for a 12v panel under 170w the MPPT is of little use? Could you expound.
RE: Measuring solar yield approaching winter solstice
Who is set up for a good measurement for the upcoming summer solstice?
O&S will you have anything to measure? Has your panel arrived?
Also where is the really really long running thread Mr. Wizard had going on solar? Having some challenges getting search to locate it for me.
Jim
Hi 'tech'-Jim,
Yes, Yes, need a place to land, for long term info'... MrWizard thread if he would like the pile-on. I've noticed the short running threads are not as helpful as one that is long running.
My questionable Mppt is to arrive today. It's 24v, so I will have the 24v to 24v, the panel is due tomorrow, 24v/120w. Yes, I would like to kill the two birds with one stone. Hobby and mini lab. I will be dependent on all the techs to interpet what I find. :)
O&S
Floyd
RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
Salvo,
For years I've enjoyed reading your posts. But, now comes the moment of truth. Do I want to spend the old moldy stuff, Hmm, I think I'll continue making my self happy with Sal and the other techs, making sence of their knowledge. If my little e/scooters get me there and back guess I'll enjoy another big orange.
O&S
RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
Right. If all you want is to charge your batteries then the simple controller will do just as good a job for you as the fancy one (my point) If you have other needs or wants and don't mind the cost, then it's up to you--at least you are doing that with your eyes open.
My idea of a "racket" is about the poor guy who gets the notion he needs that $400 job when a $40 controller will be all he needs.
Thanks BFL,
Rackets seem to be the subject of the day. Re-reading your post above, kinda settled the old guys nerves. I need joy today. I'm excited about sticking my toe in the shallow water this week. We used to say tho', watch that 'guy with the paper tag' on his new RV. Don't park next to the dump station. Hmm, back in the sixties. Nice and quiet.
RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
From the novice who has ordered from Solarblvd, one 24v/120w solar panel @ $1 per watt. One 15a MPPT controller from www.tektrumcorp.com @ $49.95 These parts ordered are for my electric scooter This will make both a sunshade and solar power needed for just a old boy toy.:C
I suspect that controller is not a true MPPT controller. Lots of fakes out there.
What can I say, my $49.95 MPPT will arrive today, coming by first class mail. Quick shipping from www.tekrumcorp.com. Now, if you are an EE, I'll be happy to send it to you, for testing, if it in any way looks like a fake. As a side point. If you noticed, I have coming, one 120w Panel. I have read, for what it's worth, the MPPT is not needed for any panel with less than 170w output. Soo, I have a 20a PWM, with LCD read-out coming, just like I wanted. Less than $50. Hope it is the real deal.
O&S
Floyd
RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
Salvo's point is similar to what I have been saying off and on. No good quoting percentages unless you ask, "Percentage of what?"
AH have amps and time. No point worrying about high amps for a short time. Like my sneer at LED lamps. First question is how long do you leave the 3a lamp on anyway? You can't save any AH if you don't leave the lights on a long enough time. Ok back to batteries/solar:
Mr Wiz makes a good point that he has that res fridge, so his draw is all day. His solar spends a lot of time just running things never mind getting the batteries up in three stages. His AH draw is a sort of bottomless pit. This is different from just battery charging where the afternoon solar is mostly wasted due to lower battery acceptance than what solar is available.
So it is back to "Horses for courses" and "To each his own." But it is to be hoped that these discussions at least get people thinking about what is really involved and how that really applies to them.
"Monkey see, monkey do" won't do! :)
I do, learn from the forth and back from all the fine fellows who contrbute here. My meter started at zero. It's solar 101 for O&S. Thanks guys.
Floyd
RE: MPPT and series solar panels
I just went out and ran the MW for one minute on inverter.
The PV input voltage immediately dropped to 92v (from 115) @ 5.2a. After MW stopped, PV voltage stayed at 92 and stayed there...as the controller is now charging the batteries. I can see if the voltage rises as the batteries come back up.
Wow, I love this info' coming down the pike. The above is just what I was afraid of, using the controllar on my Electric scooter. I might just have to disconnect the controllar if I run the 24v batts down to the set point? That would look silly, the old man with that solar scooter, pushing it down the street. Hmm.
RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
I don't know of any inexpensive controllers with stock programmability of set points including my LandStar.
Jim
I've noticed your point just searching through related websites. I'm already dissapointed I won't have one like Sal, with PC hook-up and also I would like LCD read-out.
Floyd
RE: Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
To each their own -
The older the boy the more expensive the toy
I like this post. I'm really younger than my age. My cheapee MPPT, if it proves out, will prove the point.
O&S
Floyd
PS> And I went to High School in Grants Pass, Or. -- 63 years ago.
