motorhome solar system question
I have 3 solar panels on top of my motorhome, each panel is 300w 12v. the way they are wired at the moment with the connectors they each panel came gives me a total of 100v in full proper sunlight. I have 2 deep cycle 12v batteries as well as 6 other 12 car batteries that I've accumulated. first question is do I really need any batteries other than the 2 deep cycle 12v's I have? and do I need a charge controller that has the ability to charge 2 batteries? or maybe a better question really is can anyone tell me the proper way to keep a battery bank charged using the solar panels I have, and how I should have my system setup before I end up making a uneducated and possibly expensive mistake! I'm new to this and I want to be properly educated solar and battery power applications. I appreciate any guidance and knowledge I can soak up from others here who have the knowledge I do not.
Comments
A 12v panel would typically put out 17-18v in full sun and reasonable temperature, and you would see ~50odd volts if 3 were wired in series. Seeing 100v from the string, and the rating of 300w each, suggests they aren't 12v. If so, you will need an MPPT type controller to charge a 12v bank.
Car starting batteries are designed to deliver high currents for a short time and then be almost immediately recharged. They don't generally work well as house batteries. Using them would also mean putting them in parallel, which can be difficult to keep balanced (especially if the batteries have varying health to begin with).
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
Here are the specs on my solar panels...... I have 3 all exact same specs:
Thanks thom
A 2000w inverter will use a fair bit of power just being on, so you may want to keep it turned off when not needed, and avoid running it just to charge a phone or other small load. The speakers and sub may take a lot of power depending on volume etc.
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
1) Charge Wizard
1) Cen-tech Power Inverter
2) Interstate 12 deep cycle batteries
3) Boviet solar panels Models: BVM66101-245
here is a link to pictures of all this equipment and stats for each unit, and a picture of my
1973 Dodge Roadliner with a big block 440 that through much trial and experimentation, I have successfully set up a gasoline fuel vapor system I've designed and it's performing flawlessly now, purring like a kitten! no more burning wet fuel in the gas guzzler....
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0By8WjgxTUsHybWNwZDhzengwWjg