Is there a way to measure total watts charged for the day?

SulfatedPlates

I have my killawatt, and have just realized how far away from reality our plans were.

We have reduced our power needs to 1800 watts a day average. And we have a "1000" watt system that I have seen lay 800 watts into the batteries. (27a @ 29v)

But now i need a way to determine how many watts I received from the sun each day, to match with the killawatt (watts out.)

Suggestions?

westbranch

Re: Is there a way to measure total watts charged for the day?

What equipment is in your system? Please give us the specs for your PV panels, CC, battery monitor charger, inverter, batteries, etc?

BB.

Re: Is there a way to measure total watts charged for the day?

There are various ways to monitor charging current:

• Many charge controllers will log amount of AH collected per day
• Doc Watson (only reads current "one way" (so mixed load/charging on battery will give confused readings)
• Battery Monitors (Like Trimetric)
• Victron is another good brand of battery monitor
• Midnite for some of their charge controllers has an electronic board for a standard battery shunt which will integrate battery State of Charge/usage/charging with the overall solar data

For smaller systems, spending money on "not cheap" monitoring systems sort of tells you what you already know. Would you be better off spending the money on more solar panels/upgrading other system components?

Don't get me wrong, I believe battery monitors are very nice to have--But they will not give you any more energy for your loads.

-Bill

SulfatedPlates

Re: Is there a way to measure total watts charged for the day?

Bill you raise good points and have great links; thanks.

I am just hoping to maintain as much in watts as out watts, and have no way to measure the former

AceNZ

Re: Is there a way to measure total watts charged for the day?

SulfatedPlates wrote: »

Is there a way to measure total watts charged for the day?

If by "total watts charged" you mean watts used to charge the batteries, then you can use a battery meter to measure that.

SulfatedPlates wrote: »

But now i need a way to determine how many watts I received from the sun each day, to match with the killawatt (watts out.)

Watts received per day from your panels can be measured with a wattmeter. Most solar inverters have one built-in. If yours doesn't, it's straightforward to add one on the AC output of the inverter.

Keep in mind that these are two different things. Energy out of your panels won't be the same as energy used for charging the batteries.

mike95490

Re: Is there a way to measure total watts charged for the day?

Many charge controllers can monitor daily watt harvest, and if your inverter also logs loads, the difference is what went into your batteries.