tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post5175720561430506130..comments2024-03-16T20:29:10.881-04:00Comments on Travel with Kevin and Ruth: Solar Panel BasicsKevin Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-14302245128168509812018-05-11T14:28:18.899-04:002018-05-11T14:28:18.899-04:00The house batteries (your 2 12 volt deep cycle) sh...The house batteries (your 2 12 volt deep cycle) <i>should</i> be charging when driving, unless there is something wrong with the system.<br /><br />It's easy to find out for sure. Using a voltage meter, check the voltage at the house batteries. They should be around 12.7 volts if they are fully charged and nothing is running off them. Then, start the engine. If you see the voltage go up to 13.5 or 14.0 volts, then everything is working properly.<br /><br />WE did not buy the Renogy kit... it's simply one that I recommended when I wrote this post to people starting out. The kit is on Amazon.ca for $280, and Amazon.com for $188. Buying it in the U.S. would save you about $40 CAD after the exchange rate is taken into account.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-91314817536706497912018-05-11T11:34:58.331-04:002018-05-11T11:34:58.331-04:00Kevin, I just went back and read this post series....Kevin, I just went back and read this post series. I just bought a 24 foot 2002 Adventurer C class. It has 2 12 volt deep cycle batteries. The owner says they DON'T get charged up with driving - only by plugging in. Is that true? Or does he not know the truth? I do want to get solar. That Renology kit - did you buy it in the US? Is it available on Amazon.ca or would I be better off having a friend in the US order it and drive down, get it installed there. I want to visit friends in the US anyway.Vagabondgenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215780083780044505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-82720831638319692312017-08-27T10:40:15.988-04:002017-08-27T10:40:15.988-04:00Hi Mark. Your small 10 watt panel likely doesn'...Hi Mark. Your small 10 watt panel likely doesn't have a charge controller attached to it and it's probably supplying the panel's output voltage directly to the batteries. When you put in larger panels you'll need a charge controller as well as the right sized wiring to go from the panels to the controller and the controller to the batteries. Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-21528863395310472512017-08-26T20:42:51.086-04:002017-08-26T20:42:51.086-04:00Attempting to determine if able to just add or rep...Attempting to determine if able to just add or replace previous system that came with camper. Winnebago Adventurer, has what I've found to be a 10 watt panel that just tops off batteries. All that I have to tell if it's charging is a small red light. Is it possible to add more panels or further ahead to replace considering MH is 11 years old? Any help appreciated. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00576172894275311255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-39488764847182562692016-08-12T22:35:14.014-04:002016-08-12T22:35:14.014-04:00Not knowing your needs is why starting off with a ...Not knowing your needs is why starting off with a basic system and then adding to it is the best way go. Not only that but it also isn't a big drain on the pocketbook all at once either.<br /><br />Actually the fridge and the water pump aren't huge draws on electricity. If the fridge is on propane the only electricity needed is to run the electronics which is very minimal. Having a residential fridge or wanting to run a two way fridge on electric is a whole other story. The water pump again doesn't use much unless you are constantly running it non-stop. We don't have a TV to watch so can't really say how much power it would use but I believe most appliances tell you what the power usage is per hour. We also spend a lot of time outdoors and have no pets so our 240 watts in solar and our 4 - 6 volt batteries serve us well. Perhaps that would be a good starting point for you.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-5558824633944980412016-08-12T15:02:46.101-04:002016-08-12T15:02:46.101-04:00Yep, another 100 watts should do you just fine Geo...Yep, another 100 watts should do you just fine George.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-1729293194922679002016-08-12T15:02:00.102-04:002016-08-12T15:02:00.102-04:00Yes, good point Doug.Yes, good point Doug.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-13328272014230632712016-08-11T07:11:25.822-04:002016-08-11T07:11:25.822-04:00Agree. Just trying to make the point that sometim...Agree. Just trying to make the point that sometimes just having more Watts does not mean it will all be harvested. <br /><br /> Recently saw some panels available to the consumer at 38 cents a Watt. The 320 Watt Panel, almost 80X40 were $119 with a shipping charge of $250 for a single. Now what is going to be the price when they start to use Perovskite solar cells?Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10346664966272697768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-18376152227827155362016-08-10T15:12:44.951-04:002016-08-10T15:12:44.951-04:00Peter, I ran the calculations and concluded that t...Peter, I ran the calculations and concluded that the 240W single panel still underperforms the 3x100W under typical conditions. At these low currents I²R wire losses don't really play a significant role in either system as long as prudent wire size choices are made. And while I agree wholeheartedly that MPPT shines under cold, low light conditions, RVers can easily save the extra $100-300 by simply choosing generally warmer, sunnier locations.<br /><br />Another major issue with large (over 200W) panels is the fact that they cannot be shipped using UPS or FedEx Ground. It makes very little economic sense for a single 240W panel to be shipped freight. This is not the case when multiple 240W panels are trucked. Indeed, here their sub $1/W cost alone can offset the cost of an MPPT controller.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15974453598992131798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-29188399259425876372016-08-10T15:06:40.145-04:002016-08-10T15:06:40.145-04:00Interesting topic, in that we're thinking of g...Interesting topic, in that we're thinking of getting into the RV lifestyle, along with some boon docking at times. Being in this situation though, we'd obviously have no idea (as of yet) what our 'needs' will be, for the need of power. Sure, one's fridge, and water pump are the two culprits of need the most, but we haven't gotten to need television (or how long one can watch it) yet, or the few other current needs. Still being fairly active, our thinking is that we'd be out hiking/biking etc. thus not home for chunks of time...no pets to stay cool during the day, or other needs of electricity. There again, as we get older that may change....but this 'beginner' part makes for a healthy dream of getting out and meeting others doing the same!Powerstroke2000https://www.blogger.com/profile/15237084172198573742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-48814166908058768812016-08-10T08:34:26.829-04:002016-08-10T08:34:26.829-04:00Dugg, I can think of a couple of instances where a...Dugg, I can think of a couple of instances where a single 240W panel with a MPPT controller would put the same/more amps into a battery bank. All that is needed is an improvement over 25%. MPPT controllers at low irradiance, cool temperatures and arrays over 170 Watts show a gain over PWM. The wiring from the array to controller at the higher voltage also has a lower loss. A user may also have a 300W array but a 15 amp controller where the excess wattage could be lost. In low load instances, and high temperature environments the MPPT is not worth the extra cost. Add to it, as you pointed out, the challenge for the placement of the very large panels. Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10346664966272697768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-49010309033910396832016-08-09T21:24:03.693-04:002016-08-09T21:24:03.693-04:00Mister Ed, at 65x39" it would be a challenge ...Mister Ed, at 65x39" it would be a challenge fitting a 240W panel on most RV roofs, whereas 41x27" for three 100W should be easier. A single 240W panel does not quite do the work of three 100W, even with an MPPT controller. So cost per watt, the two systems are comparable. I do think 24V panels make sense for higher wattage systems---especially since you can find these panels under $1/W---but the beginner should probably stick with 12V panels.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15974453598992131798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-67067751377260232062016-08-09T18:46:09.959-04:002016-08-09T18:46:09.959-04:00I need to make a correction that's 14.2 - 14...I need to make a correction that's 14.2 - 14.6 on bulk and 13.4 - 13.6 on Float. Sorry Mister Ed The poster boy but the real brains behind the scenes Miss Sherihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550162614496350632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-56271270942717058442016-08-09T18:37:30.043-04:002016-08-09T18:37:30.043-04:00Dugg
you're absolutely right. But however
if...Dugg <br />you're absolutely right. But however<br /> if you take one 240. Panel 24 V system along with an MPPT controller you could instead of three panels on the roof you'd only have one to do the same job <br />On top of that with the MPPT controller You could adjusted to 13.6 Where most standard controllers are fixedMister Ed The poster boy but the real brains behind the scenes Miss Sherihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550162614496350632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-7315351832738329082016-08-09T15:07:43.349-04:002016-08-09T15:07:43.349-04:00We have had our 130 watt panel and good controller...We have had our 130 watt panel and good controller for 9 years now and works wonderful, but going to add another 100 watt panel to our controller and 2 six volt batteries, just so that they will charge faster, the two batteries work fine for what we use them for.our awesome travelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13031755671050584629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-16330184302729764072016-08-09T13:07:44.874-04:002016-08-09T13:07:44.874-04:00Solar panel voltage is also VERY important. Begin...Solar panel voltage is also VERY important. Beginners should make sure any panels they buy are "12 volt" panels that put out the 17-22 volts Kevin mentioned.<br /><br />The lowest cost panels are intended for the home/business market, and are usually rated 24-36 volts. These require a more expensive MPPT charge controller to prevent damage to 12-volt RV electronics.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15974453598992131798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-35862820498280463392016-08-09T12:44:58.235-04:002016-08-09T12:44:58.235-04:00Simply go back a couple of days to previous posts....Simply go back a couple of days to previous posts. We just finished writing a 3 part series about 12 volt batteries...<br /><br /><a href="http://http://www.travelwithkevinandruth.com/2016/08/we-didnt-understand-12-volt-batteries.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.travelwithkevinandruth.com/2016/08/we-didnt-understand-12-volt-batteries.html</a>Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-32324899946382193562016-08-09T12:41:21.525-04:002016-08-09T12:41:21.525-04:00I am new to all this, can you recommend a specific...I am new to all this, can you recommend a specific deep cycle battery pleaseAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04151928876441766150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-23968940308535010702016-08-09T12:36:44.006-04:002016-08-09T12:36:44.006-04:00Thanks rocmoc.
Yes, you are correct. You can spe...Thanks rocmoc. <br /><br />Yes, you are correct. You <i>can</i> spend lots of money on upgrades. However I was trying to stick to the basics for the beginner. And as I said, you can add on and upgrade over time if you feel the need to. For us, our fairly basic system suits our needs.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-54384836349111461352016-08-09T12:31:56.780-04:002016-08-09T12:31:56.780-04:00The rule of thumb we follow is one Watt for one Am...The rule of thumb we follow is one Watt for one Amp Hour of battery storage. We also add around 50-100 Watts of panel so there is NOT a need to tilt the panels. In our case we have 720 Watts for 660 Amp Hours. IMHO the controller is the brain of the system and worth the $ (batteries the heart). A MPPT controller (cost more $) allows for charging during low sunshine days if using 24+Volts to the controller on a 12V battery system. Solar is a lifestyle choice as a gen is cheaper in the long run.<br /><br />Your Tech post are excellent!<br /><br />rocmoc n AZ/Fld/Bajaadirtsurferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01772255882176405139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-53400514037776197442016-08-09T12:30:28.849-04:002016-08-09T12:30:28.849-04:00I know, right? People who don't have solar don...I know, right? People who don't have solar don't realize how much more freedom it gives you.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-3246608858234300182016-08-09T12:21:28.255-04:002016-08-09T12:21:28.255-04:00Love ours wouldn't go with out one nowLove ours wouldn't go with out one nowWendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01898175752839734204noreply@blogger.com