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  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2017 #32
    Whilst it is possible to series panels, the configuration would depend on the charge controller selected, operating a 12V nominal system somewhat limits the options, but without details of what equipment you have, charge controller in particular, it is difficult to make suggestions. An MPPT controller  would definitely be required if using the panels you listed previously, details of the CC would  be helpful. 
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
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  • sasquatters
    sasquatters Registered Users Posts: 41 ✭✭
    #33
    We have not purchased batteries, charge controller, or anything else other than the panels. It seems as thought you need xyz information to know whether to buy abc, and you need to have abc to know what xyz to purchase. We've been at a bit of a stand still for a while...

    We know an MPPT is required. Which one is the best, and quiet has been quite the debate.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #34
    Could you post the Voc & Vmp spec from the sticker on the back of the panels ?
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2017 #35
    In a way you are correct, with the abc/xyz analogy, however by stating with the loads and working forward, it doesn't have to be that way. As it stands, from my understanding, you have  4×255 panels, 12V nominal is the route chosen, so the next step, I guess, would be selecting a charge controller and batteries to suit. Reverse engineering again is NOT the best way to design, explaining the disadvantages of 12V has been discussed, so along with panel specs and controller specs, perhaps we can move forward, albeit the wrong approach.


    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
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  • sasquatters
    sasquatters Registered Users Posts: 41 ✭✭
    #36
    I know the disadvantages but since the panels will be hidden while driving, it is a must that the alternator charge the batteries while driving. I do not want to mess with having to add a second alternator to make it a 24v system.


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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2017 #37
    With a 1020 watts and generating about 765 wats normally, for a 12 volt system you would need a charge controller that would handle 765/13= @60 amps. Since you are in a mobile install something without fans would be nice. I would suggest a Morningstar MPPT TS-60

    https://www.solar-electric.com/motr60ampmps.html

    This leaves no room for expansion, but you could add a second charge controller if needed. Try to mount somewhere with some air around it if below.

    I would skip the panel for it and suggest a Trimetric battery monitor;

    https://www.solar-electric.com/trtmbamosy1.html

    I would run all panels in parallel, if you wanted to keep the charge controller from working too hard, but it would be perfectly acceptable to run to strings of 2 panels, this would save you from having a combiner box and you could just use Branch cables;

    https://www.solar-electric.com/solarland-slcbl-46-mc4-parallel-connectors.html
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • sasquatters
    sasquatters Registered Users Posts: 41 ✭✭
    #38
    We still have not made a decision on the charge controller but I figured I would share some photos of our setup. The panels are on heavy duty slides and will be put in when driving and the alternator will charge the batteries. Then when we stop we can pop the panels out and get the sweet sweet sun power. We are probably going to use composite boards to finish the decking. 

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  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    #39
    Good job, I like it!  Who did your fabrication?
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
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  • sasquatters
    sasquatters Registered Users Posts: 41 ✭✭
    #40
    westbranch said:
    Good job, I like it!  Who did your fabrication?
    A company in Chambersburg PA called Y. B. Welding "when we could do it for you." They do great work. We are glad we found them. They will be doing more work for us in the near future.
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