Help with cabin system

Old Guy
Old Guy Registered Users Posts: 51 ✭✭
Hi everyone,

I just got a great deal on two 12V 185 amp hour Crown (CR-185) batteries.

I want to use them in my cabin. I only use the cabin once a week. Power usage will be very low, some LED lights and a water pump for shower and sink. Everything will be 12V (no inverter use).

I doubt I will ever discharge the batteries more than 40% (for the sake of calculation). The batteries will have all week to recharge. Way up on a hill and plenty of sun. 8)

Could anyone suggest a charge controller and what size panels I would need for something like this?

Thanks!

Comments

  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    Re: Help with cabin system

    Fairly simple, really. :D
    Two 185 Amp hour 12 Volt batteries in parallel = 370 Amp hours @ 12 Volts.
    Minimum charge current of 5% (and you do want charge current here; not maintenance current) = 18.5 Amps.

    Now how to get it?
    You could use a PWM controller and about three 130 Watt 12 Volt panels:
    http://www.solar-electric.com/ss-20l.html $79
    http://www.solar-electric.com/solartech-spm130p-s-n-130-watt-multicrystalline-solar-module.html $255
    This would give you slightly more than the minimum (good) and max out the controller. Cost: $844
    Or you could use a small MPPT controller and 200 +/- Watts of higher Voltage panels:
    http://www.solar-electric.com/mosumpsochco.html $224
    http://www.solar-electric.com/trina-solar-multicrystalline-240-watt-tsm-240pa05.html $228
    This would limit you to only 15 Amps (a bit low but should work) and max out the controller. Cost: $452

    Amazing, isn't it? You could actually use two of those MPPT 15's and two of the Trina panels and get 30 Amps charging (8%) for $904.

    You have to take into account things like shipping costs (bigger panels = more money) and mounting (bigger panels = heavier and larger). But there are certainly some options.
  • Old Guy
    Old Guy Registered Users Posts: 51 ✭✭
    Re: Help with cabin system

    THANK YOU!

    One more question please.....
    A neighbor upgraded his controller to a MPPT and offered to give me his Xantrex C60. This is a 60 amp model. Will this work with the three panels you suggested?
    I am assuming it wouldnt hurt to have the controller rated for more than the panel output and I could add more later if needed. Is this correct?
  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    Re: Help with cabin system

    The C60 is a PWM type controller. It will work with the "12 Volt" Solartech panels on your system. It does not matter that it is capable of handling 60 Amps.

    It would work with the other panels too, only much of their power would be lost due to the Voltage difference. In essence you'd only get Imp as current max regardless of the panel Watts.
  • Old Guy
    Old Guy Registered Users Posts: 51 ✭✭
    Re: Help with cabin system

    Thank you again Cariboocoot.

    I think I get it now. ;)
  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    Re: Help with cabin system

    be sure it has the bts (battery temperature sensor) sometimes also referred to as an rts or remote temp sensor. if he does not have one then buy one.