Advice on solar power? for camper van.
- Thread starter Bbasso
- Start date
762X39
Explorer
Youv'e been told right. They have been around for years and build good stuff that works and costs accordingly.The 24 volt version is what I am looking at for my solar charge needs.
Bbasso
Expedition goofball
Ok, another Q.
I know I need an inverter and charger, but both in one unit? or separate?
Something like this, I know it might be overkill... http://www.bestconverter.com/PROsine-20-Hardwire_p_245.html
I know I need an inverter and charger, but both in one unit? or separate?
Something like this, I know it might be overkill... http://www.bestconverter.com/PROsine-20-Hardwire_p_245.html
Bbasso
Expedition goofball
yeah I noticed that too...
So which controller can handle up to 960 watts? maybe later down the road a fourth panel at 230wt
I'm thinking to start with two 230 watt panels maybe a third in a short amount of time and then later... a fourth, maybe.
Like I said, I'd like to do this right, once. lol
Overkill is better then short supply ?
So which controller can handle up to 960 watts? maybe later down the road a fourth panel at 230wt
I'm thinking to start with two 230 watt panels maybe a third in a short amount of time and then later... a fourth, maybe.
Like I said, I'd like to do this right, once. lol
Overkill is better then short supply ?
wrcsixeight
Adventurer
Do you actually have room for 4 230 watt panels?
Generally these 230 watt panels are made for home roof install, and have flimsier frames, and very high voltages so that thinner wires can be run to the controller.
I'm not really sure which controllers which can handle these high voltage panels, and ~1000 watts of them.
I have a Blue Sky IPN pro remote which controls some settings of my sb2512i charge controller. It also counts the amps into and out of my batteries, including the alternator. I don't know about data logging, but you can call up a tech at blue sky, or e mail them. I e mailed them with my phone number and they called me the next day.
Generally these 230 watt panels are made for home roof install, and have flimsier frames, and very high voltages so that thinner wires can be run to the controller.
I'm not really sure which controllers which can handle these high voltage panels, and ~1000 watts of them.
I have a Blue Sky IPN pro remote which controls some settings of my sb2512i charge controller. It also counts the amps into and out of my batteries, including the alternator. I don't know about data logging, but you can call up a tech at blue sky, or e mail them. I e mailed them with my phone number and they called me the next day.
Bbasso
Expedition goofball
With the basic tape measure and doing ruff math, I should have enough roof room. The catch is the roof rack I plan on buying to mount them to the roof, it might cut down on the available space for the panels...
Sure I'd like to have three large panels (maybe 4) so I don't have to worry about incoming supply. But I didn't notice there was a difference in the build quality. Hard to see that in pictures on the www, sadly finding places to do hands on shopping isn't so easy with solar panels
Sure I'd like to have three large panels (maybe 4) so I don't have to worry about incoming supply. But I didn't notice there was a difference in the build quality. Hard to see that in pictures on the www, sadly finding places to do hands on shopping isn't so easy with solar panels
4x4junkie
Explorer
This one will handle 800 watts (about as good as you'll be able to do on a 12V system). To go more than that you'll need to split it up using two separate controllers.
http://www.altestore.com/store/Char...-Tristar-60-Amp-MPPT-Charge-Controller/p7728/
I can't see possibly needing more than 800 watts of solar in a camper van. If you do, then I suspect you might want to rethink your power demands. :Wow1:
wrcsixeight
Adventurer
I actually re enforced My Solar panels frame corners. I put in some stainless steel clovis pins so I could lock the panel down and tilt it on the pivot points(clovis pins). I held the Clovis Pins in with some more angle aluminum riveted in. The angle aluminum connects the frames corners much tighter than from the factory.
But I probably voided the warranty by doing so.
But I probably voided the warranty by doing so.
Bbasso
Expedition goofball
wrcsixeight
Adventurer
Lemme look for suitable Pics.
Sorry, I have no close ups of the re enforcement.
Best i can do right now.
Being held up with a styrofoam cooler lid, and held to that with a light bungee:
Photo from when I first installed it:
The prefabricated plywood corners are fiberglassed down to the fiberglass roof. I wanted it to look somewhat stealthy from the side.
The panel is a Kyocera 130 tm, now the same size panel is 135 watts, and half price what I paid in '07.
Sorry, I have no close ups of the re enforcement.
Best i can do right now.
Being held up with a styrofoam cooler lid, and held to that with a light bungee:
Photo from when I first installed it:
The prefabricated plywood corners are fiberglassed down to the fiberglass roof. I wanted it to look somewhat stealthy from the side.
The panel is a Kyocera 130 tm, now the same size panel is 135 watts, and half price what I paid in '07.
Last edited:
Bbasso
Expedition goofball
After taking all the advice here and doing plenty of research I think I've made a solid list of items to put together a good working simpler solar setup.
tell me what you think.
http://www.wholesalesolar.com/products.folder/module-folder/Trina/TSM-230PA05.html
http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/rv-marine/agm/8A8D.html
http://www.theinverterstore.com/the-inverter-store-product.php?model=pwri150012s#
http://www.blueskyenergyinc.com/products/details/solar_boost_2000e/
While some of the components are stout, I'd like to be able to rely on them for long tern use.
If you care to suggest something different, please chime in.
I'm thinking this will be plenty of power for 2 possibly 3 days if the sun isn't out. Of course knowing the sun isn't doing it's thing I'd conserve with extra care.
Know of a better price somewhere?
And possibly instead of a microwave for indoor cooking I was thinking of This And it would save a whole bunch of power and $.
tell me what you think.
http://www.wholesalesolar.com/products.folder/module-folder/Trina/TSM-230PA05.html
http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/rv-marine/agm/8A8D.html
http://www.theinverterstore.com/the-inverter-store-product.php?model=pwri150012s#
http://www.blueskyenergyinc.com/products/details/solar_boost_2000e/
While some of the components are stout, I'd like to be able to rely on them for long tern use.
If you care to suggest something different, please chime in.
I'm thinking this will be plenty of power for 2 possibly 3 days if the sun isn't out. Of course knowing the sun isn't doing it's thing I'd conserve with extra care.
Know of a better price somewhere?
And possibly instead of a microwave for indoor cooking I was thinking of This And it would save a whole bunch of power and $.
Last edited:
wrcsixeight
Adventurer
I do not think Aims Inverters get very good reviews.
You do know that battery weighs in excess of 120 lbs right? Consider trying to move it in and out of place in your intended location. Whether 2 people can fit to lift it. Nothing like dropping and cracking the case on a 500$ battery.
Other Solar panels advertise better efficiency than 15%.
That charge controller will work with a IPN pro remote battery monitor. A fairly accurate method for keeping track of AMPS into and out of the battery bank. Much more so than just voltage.
I have found 1 of these:
To be uber convenient. Everywhere sells the canisters. The Butane, not so easy to find.
Also one of these gives you strong good coffee using no Electricity, and rarely needs cleaning. Just dump the grinds, add more water and ground coffee, and 3 minutes later, good strong coffee/ espresso.
Also think about the necessary roof exhaust and combining whatever hole you cut for it to include the solar panel wiring. You will not always be able to cook outside. I almost never do.
You do know that battery weighs in excess of 120 lbs right? Consider trying to move it in and out of place in your intended location. Whether 2 people can fit to lift it. Nothing like dropping and cracking the case on a 500$ battery.
Other Solar panels advertise better efficiency than 15%.
That charge controller will work with a IPN pro remote battery monitor. A fairly accurate method for keeping track of AMPS into and out of the battery bank. Much more so than just voltage.
I have found 1 of these:
To be uber convenient. Everywhere sells the canisters. The Butane, not so easy to find.
Also one of these gives you strong good coffee using no Electricity, and rarely needs cleaning. Just dump the grinds, add more water and ground coffee, and 3 minutes later, good strong coffee/ espresso.
Also think about the necessary roof exhaust and combining whatever hole you cut for it to include the solar panel wiring. You will not always be able to cook outside. I almost never do.