Best Of
Re: Sizing solar watts to battery bank
This is NOT a function of the charge controller. It's a chemical reaction within the battery. The rising voltage allows the current to freely flow into the battery. When the battery reaches the absorb voltage, all the controller does is limit the voltage. If allowed to continue rising the battery would heat up and out gas tremendously and be damaged. The restriction of the reaction as a by product reduces the current flowing into the battery. Hence the battery is limiting the current flowing into it at that voltage.bigbillsd said:... but what I found is that once the batteries hit 80% and the cc switches to absorb the amperage charging the batteries starts to drop fairly quickly making my 640 watts of panels put out way less than what they will do when bulk charging, no matter where the sun is....
Re: Help, please. Newbie travel trailer owner going boondocking. Need to replace battery and add solar.
Ha Ha A budget ?OldMan said:No one has asked the obvious first question: Kathy, what is your budget for solar?
Re: Emergency Lighting and Data Power in an Off Grid System
I go to offgrid homes all the time with multiple systems. If they want me to be involved, just one system for everything. Spare inverters are fine and even pre-wired but unless there is compelling reason, I mean really compelling, then it all goes.
Keep it simple offgrid ! Less is more! Build with the best available. Just my opinion.
You do have AC bypass so what else other than medical is that important.
If the owners/caretakers are that uninvolved, you will have problems anyway.
Keep it simple offgrid ! Less is more! Build with the best available. Just my opinion.
You do have AC bypass so what else other than medical is that important.
If the owners/caretakers are that uninvolved, you will have problems anyway.
Re: Parallel two low amp cables to make one big
If you can make a run from array 1 to the combiner box near the solar charge controller, and a second wire run for array 2 to the combiner box, that is a very safe and the correct way to parallel the cable runs. Each current source supplies current to its own dedicated run.
After the combiner you have a single heavier cable run (no parallel current paths) to the charge controller.
Bill
BB.
2
Re: High Wattage Solar Panels
Living on Social Security , last I checked, doesn't qualify as rich. We'll see next month when the cost of living rate increase kicks in. You never know.
I don't fault people for being rich. I do however dislike greedy people.
I don't fault people for being rich. I do however dislike greedy people.
Re: Qs about designing a pv system
Really need baterys . Inverter needs start up voltage and smoothing of dc voltage. You could try a smaller than normal battery .. but it could well die early.what inverter have you looked at?
Re: somebody double check these figures (sanity check)
Reading post #4 has me wondering more about the heat tape. The ones I'm familiar with are self-regulating, and run~3-5w/ft or so. For it to run 1200w for the line implies it's running full out on a pretty long line (eg. 1200/5=240' line).
Is the line insulated with the tape between the insulation and pipe? If so, the tape should self-regulate down to what's needed to maintain just above freezing temp. If the pipe isn't insulated, most of the heat will be lost to surrounding air (or water/ice).
Is the line supplying water from a well or other downhill source? If so, you may be able to pump to a holding or pressure tank, and let water drain back to source between cycles, which may reduce or eliminate the need to run heat tape.
Just some thoughts
Is the line insulated with the tape between the insulation and pipe? If so, the tape should self-regulate down to what's needed to maintain just above freezing temp. If the pipe isn't insulated, most of the heat will be lost to surrounding air (or water/ice).
Is the line supplying water from a well or other downhill source? If so, you may be able to pump to a holding or pressure tank, and let water drain back to source between cycles, which may reduce or eliminate the need to run heat tape.
Just some thoughts
Estragon
2
Re: somebody double check these figures (sanity check)
The Kotatsu tables will demand so much energy making off grid unreasonable, unless money is no object, traditional tables used charcoal, are gas ones available ?
mcgivor
3
Re: Sprinter Batteries
There is a class of Telecom battery that can last decades by shallow cycling...
If you can only discharge by 15% to 25% maximum depth of discharge, they may have a good long life.
Bill
BB.
1
Re: EU2000 Honda generator troubleshooting
Re: EU2000 Honda generator troubleshooting
JB, good to hear both your generators are working well for you now! I would take Tony's advice about changing oil after running half-choked.
JB, good to hear both your generators are working well for you now! I would take Tony's advice about changing oil after running half-choked.
Moe
1