Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: ohsonew on October 21, 2018, 03:43:23 pm
Title: Solar experiment
Post by: ohsonew on October 21, 2018, 03:43:23 pm
One of the things that I did while on vacation this past couple of weeks was to add a HF solar panel setup temporarily on my roof while in storage to see if it could keep the batteries charged while in storage. I had also added the Amp-L-Start to let the start battery draw off of the house batteries.When I parked the coach, the voltage across the battery terminals was 13.2v. It was cloudy and rainy for the next 4 days. When I checked the voltage again, it had dropped to 12.6 v. Still @ 95%, so not bad, but I still had my concerns. The past 7 days have been mainly bright and sunny. Checked this afternoon, all batteries happy @ 13.1 v. You talk about one happy camper. During this time I had the salesman switch off so less parasitic draws. Over the next few weeks, I hope to be able to try dry camping for the first time. Don't know how well the solar panels will be able to keep me charged for a couple of days, but I will be close enough to home to be able to fix anything.
Larry
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on October 21, 2018, 04:32:08 pm
A HF solar panel is not going to do much for dry camping even if you are all LED lighting unless you are camping at the bare minimum with no TV and very little inverter time. A couple of 300 watt panels will do a lot better with 1200 watts letting you live almost like home. Panel prices are cheap, cheap, cheap now.
Pierce
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: ohsonew on October 21, 2018, 05:05:21 pm
Didn't figure it would be able to carry me through. Mainly bought HF for batteries while in storage . After I get my feet wet, then I will look at building my own system. (getting brave, huh?) I've seen the post you made from a year ago and am mustering up the courage. 8) . Got a couple of other projects which have a higher priority first though (fuel lines, repair aqua hot coils, VMSPC, .......), but solar is on the radar. Would you still recommend the Yingli panels, or something different?
Larry
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on October 21, 2018, 07:03:50 pm
Didn't figure it would be able to carry me through. Mainly bought HF for batteries while in storage . After I get my feet wet, then I will look at building my own system. (getting brave, huh?) I've seen the post you made from a year ago and am mustering up the courage. 8) . Got a couple of other projects which have a higher priority first though (fuel lines, repair aqua hot coils, VMSPC, .......), but solar is on the radar. Would you still recommend the Yingli panels, or something different? Larry
Larry,
Lots of excellent panels out there. Chinese, American, German, etc. I like the commercial panels (huge fields of panels) for the roof as we go through lots of branches and wanted to make sure, they could take lots of abuse. They have the thick aluminum edges. The down side is that not all coaches can fit several of the large sizes on the roof. I would have had lots of trouble installing on a 96" wide coach as the AC would have put a couple of the panels over the edge but I see yours is 102". I could still add wattage but would have to add smaller panels and then I could not walk on the roof.
Several good controllers out there too. I think I posted a complete source/price list a while back. Ours is working fine almost 10 years later. Just about everything is less expensive now. And yes, you CAN put 1200 watts on the roof and have a complete system including batteries for less than $2000 if you research it.
No courage needed here. just ask by PM or phone for each aspect of the installation. Preplanning sure helps with getting all ducks in a row so you don't end up with Cantonese Pressed Duck :D .
Pierce
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: ohsonew on October 21, 2018, 10:04:59 pm
Thanks Pierce, I'm sure we will be talking ^.^d
Larry
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: kenhat on October 21, 2018, 11:06:56 pm
I did a DYI solar install after reading Pierce's posts on his install. Found 240w panels for $105 on Craigs list. Did 3 panels and ended up with 720 watts total for under $1200. Solar controller was the big cost $550 but well worth it. I was amazed at how easy it was.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions on install.
see ya ken
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Lon and Cheryl on October 22, 2018, 02:08:40 am
I just bought a couple 360 watt panels 40" x 67".
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on October 22, 2018, 11:31:29 am
Many of us have done the solar project ourselves. I have four 300 watt commercial panels that cost me about $150 each delivered to MN from Las Vegas. Add in a charge controller (most expensive part) mounting brackets, 3M VHB tape, caulk, cables, fuse panel and battery fuse and a switch, less than $1500 total. A pretty inexpensive project with big benefits.
A Second House Battery Bank, Solar Panels, 2 New Inverters (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=31957.0)
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on October 22, 2018, 12:03:24 pm
That's about the same size as ours but lots more watts. 360 vs our old 285 for the same size or 1440 watts for four of them. That's an easy 5kWh day day in summer with a fairly open sky. Are they 36 or 48 volt? Good deal?
For newbies to solar, the 1440 watts I mentioned above is just a lab figure with the sun directly overhead and a test temperature of 77 degrees. With the sun 30 degrees from overhead, the output drops almost 14% dropping even more as the sun moves lower. Not bad with the new higher efficiency panels and in my opinion, not worth the risk of climbing a ladder to tilt them.
Pierce
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on October 22, 2018, 01:17:44 pm
I figure total watts on the roof x 10 hrs per day average year round x 25% for sun angles, shade etc. So 1440 x 10 x .30 = 3600 watts average per day year round. Best days will be more, middle of the winter, less.
With just 3 of our four panels on summer before last we had days of 5.1KW at Gros Ventre in the the Tetons. We spent a week there and a week at Madison in Yellowstone (more shade, no hookups in either place) with zero generator time to charge batteries. That winter in a campground in TX with metered electric we paid about 1/3 what our neighbors paid for electric.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: GleamB on October 22, 2018, 07:14:27 pm
We have three 120w panelS on the roof from previous owner. Since Quartzite, last year, we have determined that we are headed to doing more " boondocking" as time goes on, so we want to upsize. We were thinking of going to the infamous Slab City, but now, after reading about self install........?????? Not my strongest suit.....but I am willing to learn. Roger.....here we go AGAIN........!!!!!
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: bbeane on October 22, 2018, 08:11:50 pm
Glynn had mine done at slab city Solar Mike 840 watts Outback 80 MPPT controller all done 2300.00. 3 years going strong.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on October 22, 2018, 08:11:59 pm
I had a pretty good idea how the panels I got would fit, I made a cardboard piece the size of the panels and made sure before I ordered them. Our DirecTV disch is just behind the first AC so there is room of two in front and between the horns (just). Anothe infrint of the rear AC just off spcenter to the curb side. And the last one to the left of the centerline at the back end. I wanted to maintain a maintenance walkway. I had a local metal wizard make me 12" long mounts that are at the correct angle to accomodate the roof curve (not 90°). They attach to the roof with 1.5"x12" 3M VHB tape, no screws. Caulked around the bracket and roof line with 3M 4200 UV. Stainless bolts and nylock nuts.
Not too bad a project. Some work but manageable. For some off grid time it is really pretty nice and very useful. Be sure to do an energy use audit. It is easy to underestimate. Figure out what you need to go overnight. All the solar capacity you have will not help if you do not have sufficient storage capacity.
Let me know if I can help. I got a lot from others here on the Forum and did my own research as well. Always a good idea to educate yourself.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Lon and Cheryl on October 22, 2018, 08:37:16 pm
That's about the same size as ours but lots more watts. 360 vs our old 285 for the same size or 1440 watts for four of them. That's an easy 5kWh day day in summer with a fairly open sky. Are they 36 or 48 volt? Good deal?
For newbies to solar, the 1440 watts I mentioned above is just a lab figure with the sun directly overhead and a test temperature of 77 degrees. With the sun 30 degrees from overhead, the output drops almost 14% dropping even more as the sun moves lower. Not bad with the new higher efficiency panels and in my opinion, not worth the risk of climbing a ladder to tilt them.
Pierce
LG Solar 360w Mono Solar Panel - NeON R - LG360Q1C-A5
LG, NeON R, PV Modules, Mono, Black Frame, MC4 Connectors, Made in Korea LG360Q1C-A5
LG NeON R is a new powerful product with global top level performance. Applied new cell structure without electrodes on the front, LG NeON R maximized the utilization of light and enhanced its reliability. LG NeON R demonstrates LG's efforts to increase customer's values beyond efficiency. It features enhanced warranty, durability, performance under real environment, and aesthetic design suitable for roofs.
Features
Enhanced Performance Warranty - The LG NeON R has been designed to significantly enhance its output making it efficient even in limited space. LG now offers a 25 year product warranty to accomodate performance warranties as well. LG NeON R has an ehanced performance warranty. After 25 years, LG NeON R is guaranteed at least 87.0% of initial performance.
Great Aesthetics and Durability- LG NeON R has been designed with aesthetics in mind: no electoride on the front. Can increase the valud eof a property with its modern design. Can endure a front load up to 6000 Pa, and a rear load up to 5400 Pa.
Better Performance and LID - Now performs better on sunny days thanks to its improved temperature coefficient. Near zero LID (Light Induced Degradation). The n-type cells used in the LG NeON R have almost no boron, which may cause initial performance degradation, leading to less LID.
General Information Manufacturer: LG Solar Product Line: NeON R Series Model ID: LG350Q1C-A5 Certifications and Safety Ratings: ce.giful.jpg vde.jpg mcs.jpg
Mechanical Data
Technology: Monocrystalline (Mono) Dimensions: 66.93 x 40.00 x 1.57 inches Weight: 40.79 lbs Cells: 6 x 10 Cell Type: Monocrystalline / N-Type Front Load: 6000 Pa / 125 psf Rear Load: 5400 Pa / 113 psf Connector Type: MC4 Junction Box: IP68 with 3 Bypass Diodes Cables: 1000 mm x 2 Ea Glass: High Transmission Tempered Glass Frame: Anodized Aluminum Certifications: IEC 61215, IEC 61730-1/-2, UL 1703, IEC 61701 (Salt Mist Corrosion Test), IEC 62716 (Ammonia Corrosion Test), ISO 9001 Module Fire Performance (USA): Type 1 Operating Temperature: -40°C to +90°C
Electrical Data
Nominal Maximum Power (Pmax): 360 Watts MPP Voltage (Vmpp): 36.5 Volts MPP Current (Impp): 9.87 Amps Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 42.70 Volts Short Circuit Voltage (Isc): 10.79 Amps Module Efficiency: 20.80%
Datasheets
Document Type logo-adobe-pdf-2.jpgLG Electronics LG360Q1C-A5 Specs Specifications logo-adobe-pdf-2.jpgLG Electronics Installation Guide Installation Guide Warranty 25 Year Product Warranty Performance Guarantee 25 Year Linear Performance Warranty logo-adobe-pdf-2.jpgLG Electronics Warranty Warranty
Cost: $453.60 each plus S&H Bought from SOLARIS
They will be controlled by there own Victron controller. I have 4 other 300watt panels (bought from Roger) are on there own Victron controller. all six panels will be able to be tilted from the ground. the panels can tilt past 90 degrees so they can lay over and give me complete access to the roof without walking a tight rope. Total 1920 watts. piped into 10 Lifeline L16 AGM batteries at 400AH@20% A Victron 3000w Inverter/charger. I have 4 panels installed and the mounting for the 2 new panels fastened down. I'm now racing the weather, it will be too cold to use adhesives outside any day now. I will take some pictures when I get the last 2 panels mounted. Batteries all mounted but need to be wired.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on October 22, 2018, 08:52:03 pm
I like your tilting from the ground. We've already had one too many roof accidents on the forum.
Nice to have a photo from above so we can see how they fit on the roof as well as your tilting mechanism.
You may be the first to break the 10kWh barrier! ^.^d
Pierce
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: ohsonew on October 22, 2018, 09:08:01 pm
Keep the info coming please. I need all the help I can get :giggle:
Larry
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on October 22, 2018, 09:20:18 pm
Well after 11 months getting the ducks aligned tomorrow is the day. 10KW of solar panels are going on the roof of our house tomorrow. 120% of our annual consumption. Any excess gets sold back to the utility at retail rates. 30% Federal tax credit on the entire cost of the project (including new roof, tree removal and trimming). Each panel has its own Enphase microinverter (97.5% efficiency) which converts the DC directly to 240 v AC. They are all wired to a coomon feed into the house of back into the grid. Each microinverter reports performance individually and the system collectively to the internet, reporting is available at anytime from your mobile devices or desktop.
Pretty much state of the art, easily expandable, very fault and shade tolerant.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on October 22, 2018, 09:28:46 pm
Keep the info coming please. I need all the help I can get :giggle:
Larry
At least now and for some time to come the entire cost of your solar installation on your coach qualifies for a 30% Federal tax credit. Panels, mounting, wiring, charge controllers, fuses, switches, inverters, batteries. Everything that can reasonably be part of solar production, energy conversion, storage and use can be included. Be sure to check with a tax professional or do the homework needed to make it so. It is a big help in making it somewhat more affordable and certainly helps in the motivation to get it done too.
Federal Tax Credit of 30% works for systems installed by the end of 2019. The tax credit coes down after that.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: rbark on October 22, 2018, 10:00:20 pm
Roger, does that include more batteries?
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Old phart phred on October 22, 2018, 10:19:01 pm
Lots of great ideas and awesome technical info here. I live in Kansas, same as OP, that being said, we get hail, half dollar size is not that unusual. My coach is stored inside, but when I update my oem solar I will put the panels on a roller guides on one side so I can flip them over with protection on the back side. Thinking about putting my main array on the MC trailer as I can easily get 3 big panels on it, one on the roof, and two easily tiltable ones on the sides. Just a different perspective on solar installs
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on October 22, 2018, 11:44:56 pm
It does. If you install a solar system to your primary home and add batteries for storage and inverters to go from DC to AC they are all part of the solar energy collection, storage and distribution system. You motorhome is considered a second home assuming you are not renting it out. It is a capital improvement that for tax purposes increases the basis value of your coach. Adding batteries, yes. Replacing existing batteries? Maybe if you make the case that adding batteries of a different age makes the mix not wotk very well. Replacing all with Lithium? Should be OK. Replacing an inverter? If it improves efficiency.
This is a lump sum line item deduction with no specific detail. In this context it may not be big enough to worry about. Keep all of your receipts, documentation, plans, rationale and details.
Review this with your tax professional and follow their advise. Mine always tells me do what makes sense within the scope of what is possible.
When you sell your coach if the selling price is less than the basis value of your coach (purchase price plus capital improvements) that difference is a capital loss that can offset capital gains.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: jcus on October 23, 2018, 08:56:19 am
LG Solar 360w Mono Solar Panel - NeON R - LG360Q1C-A5
LG, NeON R, PV Modules, Mono, Black Frame, MC4 Connectors, Made in Korea LG360Q1C-A5
LG NeON R is a new powerful product with global top level performance. Applied new cell structure without electrodes on the front, LG NeON R maximized the utilization of light and enhanced its reliability. LG NeON R demonstrates LG's efforts to increase customer's values beyond efficiency. It features enhanced warranty, durability, performance under real environment, and aesthetic design suitable for roofs.
Features
Enhanced Performance Warranty - The LG NeON R has been designed to significantly enhance its output making it efficient even in limited space. LG now offers a 25 year product warranty to accomodate performance warranties as well. LG NeON R has an ehanced performance warranty. After 25 years, LG NeON R is guaranteed at least 87.0% of initial performance.
Great Aesthetics and Durability- LG NeON R has been designed with aesthetics in mind: no electoride on the front. Can increase the valud eof a property with its modern design. Can endure a front load up to 6000 Pa, and a rear load up to 5400 Pa.
Better Performance and LID - Now performs better on sunny days thanks to its improved temperature coefficient. Near zero LID (Light Induced Degradation). The n-type cells used in the LG NeON R have almost no boron, which may cause initial performance degradation, leading to less LID.
General Information Manufacturer: LG Solar Product Line: NeON R Series Model ID: LG350Q1C-A5 Certifications and Safety Ratings: ce.giful.jpg vde.jpg mcs.jpg
Mechanical Data
Technology: Monocrystalline (Mono) Dimensions: 66.93 x 40.00 x 1.57 inches Weight: 40.79 lbs Cells: 6 x 10 Cell Type: Monocrystalline / N-Type Front Load: 6000 Pa / 125 psf Rear Load: 5400 Pa / 113 psf Connector Type: MC4 Junction Box: IP68 with 3 Bypass Diodes Cables: 1000 mm x 2 Ea Glass: High Transmission Tempered Glass Frame: Anodized Aluminum Certifications: IEC 61215, IEC 61730-1/-2, UL 1703, IEC 61701 (Salt Mist Corrosion Test), IEC 62716 (Ammonia Corrosion Test), ISO 9001 Module Fire Performance (USA): Type 1 Operating Temperature: -40°C to +90°C
Electrical Data
Nominal Maximum Power (Pmax): 360 Watts MPP Voltage (Vmpp): 36.5 Volts MPP Current (Impp): 9.87 Amps Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 42.70 Volts Short Circuit Voltage (Isc): 10.79 Amps Module Efficiency: 20.80%
Datasheets
Document Type logo-adobe-pdf-2.jpgLG Electronics LG360Q1C-A5 Specs Specifications logo-adobe-pdf-2.jpgLG Electronics Installation Guide Installation Guide Warranty 25 Year Product Warranty Performance Guarantee 25 Year Linear Performance Warranty logo-adobe-pdf-2.jpgLG Electronics Warranty Warranty
Cost: $453.60 each plus S&H Bought from SOLARIS
They will be controlled by there own Victron controller. I have 4 other 300watt panels (bought from Roger) are on there own Victron controller. all six panels will be able to be tilted from the ground. the panels can tilt past 90 degrees so they can lay over and give me complete access to the roof without walking a tight rope. Total 1920 watts. piped into 10 Lifeline L16 AGM batteries at 400AH@20% A Victron 3000w Inverter/charger. I have 4 panels installed and the mounting for the 2 new panels fastened down. I'm now racing the weather, it will be too cold to use adhesives outside any day now. I will take some pictures when I get the last 2 panels mounted. Batteries all mounted but need to be wired.
Pretty impressive. Thats 1200 lbs of battery, where did you mount them all?
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Lon and Cheryl on October 23, 2018, 05:39:33 pm
Pretty impressive. Thats 1200 lbs of battery, where did you mount them all?
In the front storage bay. I will post some pictures if I get out there today.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Tim on October 31, 2018, 08:09:10 pm
Solar systems are like chocolate, once you start, you will want more. I started with 30 watts, then 200 watts, now 1920 watts. Even that is not enough on cloudy, rainy days or shaded campsite. For those installing a new system, I would recommend:
- Sunpower solar panels. Their tech specs are far superior to cheap Chinese panels. They produce much more power per square foot. They are more vibration and abuse-resistant. - 20KWH of lithium batteries. This would cost about $8K. - Utilize the 30% federal tax rebate.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on October 31, 2018, 08:31:13 pm
Lots of great panels from China. They are absolutely on top of the latest developments. More vibration and abuse-resistant? Come on, I installed our Chinese panels many years ago and through many branches and small trees, they don't have a mark on them. Solar farms would not use hundreds of thousands of them in the U.S. if they were poor quality.
Our 1140 watt potential is more than enough for our coach. It runs everything including a 50 inch 4K TV and microwave without ever starting the generator and even uses the OEM inverter. The AGM batteries came from a bankrupt solar company and 4kWh only cost $210 for all six. They work fine today.
Throwing megabucks at it sort of defeats the purpose and is a lot more than many of us have budgeted for.
My view!
PIerce
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: jcus on October 31, 2018, 08:38:49 pm
Lots of great panels from China. They are absolutely on top of the latest developments. More vibration and abuse-resistant? Come on, I installed our Chinese panels many years ago and through many branches and small trees, they don't have a mark on them. Solar farms would not use hundreds of thousands of them in the U.S. if they were poor quality.
Our 1140 watt potential is more than enough for our coach. It runs everything including a 50 inch 4K TV and microwave without ever starting the generator and even uses the OEM inverter. The AGM batteries came from a bankrupt solar company and 4kWh only cost $210 for all six. They work fine today.
Throwing megabucks at it sort of defeats the purpose and is a lot more than many of us have budgeted for.
My view!
PIerce
Must be two volt. What make and model and most important weight? Jim edit: bad math, 6 or 12 volt batteries?
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on October 31, 2018, 10:45:32 pm
I agree with Pierce, with a serious energy use audit 1200 watts is plenty for us. You need enough battery capacity to get by for 16 hrs in the winter at cold temps, that was our goal there. A week in reasonable conditions is pretty easy for us but then we are careful with power use. There are lots of great panels out there. Twice the price doesn't mean you system is better, just more expensive. Lithium batteries would be nice it they were like a Tesla Wall, built in temperature management, still a lot of money but if you used micro inverters, solar directly to 220V to charge it and its internal systems back to your coach at 220v/120v with a modest sized 12v battery bank for internal 12 v ... something else to think about.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: ohsonew on November 04, 2018, 04:13:05 pm
Well, the experiment continues. Last weekend I went to the coach and checked the start battery right out of the chute. 12.3 v. About 70%. We had had about 3 days of strong sun, the rest partly cloudy. Started the coach and let it run for about 15 minutes. Didn't have time to take it for a spin. Today, did the same. the battery reads 12.2 v. About 60%. We have had mostly cloudy conditions this past week, with only intermittent sunshine. Not bad, but not conclusive. I will continue to monitor the batteries for several more weeks. If it seems like they get much lower than 12.2, I will pull the batteries and bring them home to trickle charge on the shelf. One other note, I forgot and left the salesman switch on this past week. I hope that contributed to the added decrease in battery voltage.
Larry
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Tim on November 04, 2018, 11:12:38 pm
Our coaches use "false 220V", or two 120VAC legs of the same phase. 220 V microinverters would work, but a 120 V inverter would work fine.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Old phart phred on November 04, 2018, 11:33:20 pm
Tim time to proofread what you said, as It may confuse many, and generator or a 20 or 30 amp circuit and are strickly 120 volt. So I don't understand your point about a 220 volt inverter.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Tim on November 09, 2018, 10:42:09 pm
Agreed. Our generators make only 120 VAC, which the transfer switch applies to two separate 120 VAC legs in our rigs as follows:
1. Low power legs 120 VAC part of the propane-electric fridge, battery charger (battery feeds lights and 12 volt propane appliances like water heater, furnace and air conditioner controls), 120 VAC outlets and ice maker.
2. High-power legs Air conditioner(s) and engine pre-heater.
My point is that the 220 VAC solar microinverters, meant for grid-tied applications, should work fine given some smart engineering design modifications. For example:
1. May need a 220 VAC battery charger and a new transfer switch to recognize the presence of 220 VAC from the solar microinverters and apply it to the battery charger.
2. May need to throttle AC (Alternating Current) power demand from the battery charger.
3. While running on solar power only, may need to run a separate inverter to power the 115 VAC systems.
Sounding complicated yet? It may be!
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Don & Tys on November 10, 2018, 11:34:44 am
Larry, The salesman switch ordinarily doesn't have any connection to the chassis battery bank unless the boost switch is on... but it has been awhile since I read the earlier posts in this thread so maybe you factored that in already. Don
...One other note, I forgot and left the salesman switch on this past week. I hope that contributed to the added decrease in battery voltage.
Larry
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Caflashbob on November 10, 2018, 11:59:26 am
Tim can you tell me if and how my magnum pt-100 solar controller would interface with my coach?
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: ohsonew on November 17, 2018, 07:06:54 pm
After checking the batteries today, I have decided to pull them and bring them to a warm garage with a trickle charger. It has been cold (down to 10 one morning), snowing ( 3"), and cloudy for a lot of the past 2 weeks. When I checked the batteries today, 12.1 v. about 55%. I know that we have a lot of winter left, so I am not going to chance ruining brand new batteries. If I could tilt the panels &/or be able to go and clean off snow etc. I might be more comfortable with leaving them on solar. Since the sun is so much lower in the sky and my work schedule won't allow me the time to monitor closer, it's time to take preventative measures. Perhaps I will test again when the sun is getting higher in the sky.
Conclusion, not unsuccesful, but not as good of results as I had hoped for.
Larry
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Caflashbob on November 17, 2018, 07:20:19 pm
I have had best results if I start with new batteries fully charged and be paranoid about letting them ever be discharged and not recharged. Hence the auto connect relay versus a isolator and enough solar to recharge both banks in storage.
I do not have enough solar for recharge from use quickly.
Once ruined they are not fixable readily.
Foretravel equipped the unicoaches new with AGM redtops for the engine and house gels that are harder to damage from discharging and do not require and will not accept equalization.
Option is lifeline agm's with 10% more capacity that if run down may be equalized and capacity restored.
All others other than flooded cell are not restorable once sulphated. Maybe the high frequency add on can restore batteries and I am told they do work. Takes months but does work
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on November 18, 2018, 10:23:44 am
If a battery(s) is fully charged, it won't freeze and will keep it's charge all winter. But you have to disconnect the bank from the coach or the parasitic drain will flatten and ruin them.
Pierce
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Tim on November 23, 2018, 03:42:21 am
Take a look at the tech specs before buying solar panels.
Sunpower panels have far less efficiency loss in terms of temperature coefficient and long-term loss parameters.
The Chinese sometimes stretch the truth about their panels, or hide the truth.
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Caflashbob on November 23, 2018, 01:34:49 pm
Sent my guru buddy the sun power panel info and my pt100 controller info.
No idea if and how they may work together.
I have a family member in the solar biz. Maybe he can source the panels when I am ready.
Would be interesting to be self contained without running the gen....
I have a matching gen start box and the advanced controller for the inverter. And i understand it works with the solar controller
Tesla says they back burnered the powerwall to concentrate on their model 3 cars ramp up
Title: Re: Solar experiment
Post by: Tim Fiedler on November 23, 2018, 02:14:00 pm
Code changes coming and potential liability issues with Current generation product are also affecting powerwall strategy. Code changes to require potentially two hour fire rated room for powerwall driving up install cost Tesla model 3 now 4-6 weeks delivery, Tesla on pretty shaky financial footing. Will be interesting to see what future holds for Tesla. Great innovation, I am rooting for them