solar panels (1 Viewer)

[Mace]

The thread on portable generators got me thinking about solar panels. My starting point was the HF 45 watt solar "kit". most online reviews were favorable for it. However, it seems to be a bit lacking (no solar charge controller). And that there were better deals per Watt available out there.

This website Solar Panels, PV Systems and Inverters Distributor seems to have some very good deals on cells, but so help me god I cannot wrap my head around the variables.

From the outside, this cell looks really good, and if you partner it with one of the Sunforce Solar charge controllers it would seem to provide a ton of power.

SV Solar Panel 185 Watts 26.3 Vmp [SV-T-185-HV] - $192.40 :

So what am I missing here and/or what do I need to look for in a solar panel. This is going on my cabover camper, so room is a premium. Smaller is always better. And all I am looking to do is make sure that I can keep a full charge on my batteries during the day when I have the heater running. It sucked having to turn the generator on during the evening just to charge the batteries right before I went to sleep to make sure that I would not drain the batteries by running the heater at night when it is cold as hell..

 

[VTCDN]

Cleaned as required.

 

[Mace]

OKay, here is what I need to maintain at a minimum

heater is a 20 M BTU Auto Ignition Furnace with Thermostat Control. I'll try to get more specs than that tonight. (looks to be around a 2.8 amp/hr draw)

lights are standard single filament auto bulbs, probably in the 1 amp range. Say a total of 5 hrs run time per day (all combined). And, I'll be replacing those with LED's in the near future.

Batteries are dual Interstate SRM 27 No clue what the amp/hr capacity is. But here are the specs http://www.interstatebatteries.com/c...o/marine_f.asp the specs point out that you can run 5 amps for 17 hrs so does that mean 3.4 amp/hr batteries (each)?

I'd love to have more charging capacity than I really need to keep the batteries topped off.

I guess the truck is a standard 12V system, but I am not sure what you mean by "house".

Thanks for the help amigo.

 

[VTCDN]

(looks to be around a 2.8 amp/hr draw)
That is a huge constant draw.

 

[Bogo]

OK, the panel you are looking at is a high voltage panel. On a 12VDC battery system you would need a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) type controller to use it effectively. Be careful as a couple places have been selling PWM controllers with "MPPT" variant product IDs. Carefully read the description. Morningstar's MPPT controllers are legitimate. This is the lowest cost true MPPT that I know of: Morningstar Corporation » SunSaver MPPT but I haven't searched lately.

 

[snobdds]

I have the HF unit that I use at my cabin. I use it to run a LED light at the front of the house 24/7 and use it to trickle charge my deep cycle battery. In the winter I use it to keep my weather station and going so I can log on and see what the temperature is and how much snow we have.

I’ve had it for two years now and have no complaints. I did have to make some of my own wiring to extend the wires from the top of my mounting platform to where I have the receiver. I have it mounted to a tree that I topped with a southern exposure.

I would suggest one thing. The kit comes with a very flimsy mounting bracket type thing. Throw that out and build your own that is much more structurally sound.

 

[VTCDN]

Im with Bogo on the SS-MPPT-15L controller ,
VT

 

[Enigma]

I bought the 50W 12 RV kit from these guys earlier this year for use in my 80 series.

Systems

They were local for me, but some info on the site might be of some use.

I think I might add another panel one day, but it keeps my fridge running for a good stretch when there is lots of sun they way it is now (the set up, not the sun).

 

[VTCDN]

Cleaned as required.

Best if folks here buy kits , I was wrong in thinking different.

VT