Small System Opinion

Crystal
Crystal Solar Expert Posts: 128 ✭✭✭
edited November 2019 in Solar Beginners Corner #1
I found this for sale locally. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/895246220872763/

Wondering if it's a good deal. We only need to charge a few batteries to run a few led lights and charge a couple devices.
I know most charge control is optimal but will this be sufficient?
Also if I want to upgrade and get more panels will this sharp be easy to match?
TIA

Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Batteries not included.   What would be suitable, a pair of 6v golf cart batteries (wired in series).

    The charge controller needs to be a MPPT style for best charging of a 12V battery
    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 ,

  • Crystal
    Crystal Solar Expert Posts: 128 ✭✭✭
    Right I was thinking the same thing on the controller. MPPT auto corrected to most lol

    Thanks!!
  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 2019 #4
    With a single 12 volt panel the charge controller in the listing is better suited than an MPPT controller.
    You should be able to find a 120 watt panel to pair with that one fairly easily. If you do add another panel then , while the included controller will still be fine, an MPPT controller will be applicable if you series wire the pair of panels for higher voltage.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • mike_s
    mike_s Registered Users Posts: 155 ✭✭
    Sure, MPPT would be more efficient. But it would be cheaper, and provide more power, to simply add a second panel in parallel.
  • mountainman
    mountainman Registered Users Posts: 439 ✭✭
    With The 30 amp prostar a good quality controller it  would even take  a third panel in parelell.
    Imho 370 watts would be a better  match than 250 watts for 2 200 ah GC batteries. 
     Unless it's a long distance 50 foot or more to the array
    I'd stick with the controller it comes with.
     2 more panels would give more amps and be cheaper than a quality mppt controller.
    2kw array 6 345 q cells  make sky blue 60 cc
     6 230ah GC @36 volts 
    18 amp accusense charger. 3650 champion 
  • Crystal
    Crystal Solar Expert Posts: 128 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for the suggestions. So do I have to get the same panel to be compatible?
  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Crystal said:
    Thanks for the suggestions. So do I have to get the same panel to be compatible?
    Not necessarily, As long as the voltage is within10% of the original you'll be fine. Pretty much all 12 volt, 36 cell panels will work. In parallel the current will add.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • Crystal
    Crystal Solar Expert Posts: 128 ✭✭✭
    So it's a Maximum 17.2 volts. 

    My next question can I put a larger wattage panel with it? The sharp is 123watts and I'd like to get a 300watt to add to it.

    Does it have to poly or will mono work with it?
  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Crystal said:
    So it's a Maximum 17.2 volts. 

    My next question can I put a larger wattage panel with it? The sharp is 123watts and I'd like to get a 300watt to add to it.

    Does it have to poly or will mono work with it?
    The Sharp 123 will work fine. Any 300 watt panel is too high of voltage to mix with the 36 cell, 12 volt panels.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.