Search results

. ^ ^ ^ lol true 'nuff! . verkstad's recommendation of 8AWG marine cable is an excellent one... . For a 25' PV panel extension, I used 10 ga copper stranded 2-conductor landscape cable (.90-something per foot, Home Depot)... but I'm on the threshold for too much voltage drop when using just one...

. Hey, that's good news. Yes, and although Sears and Odyssey have not renewed their association, you can still find fresh DHP/Odysseys at some Sears Automotive stores, but you have to look online, then call. I've got my eye on two Group 31 but I don't know how long they're going to sit there...

. Yea that sounds like the way to go. Have fun! and keep us abreast of your system progress! . :-)

If one battery in your expedition vehicle, then a Group 31 but preferably an Odyssey or SearsDieHard Platinum (Odyssey), because it's unique design and quality construction (99.99% pure virgin lead plates) contribute to it's ability to both deep cycle and start engines. Add a solar panel and a...

. . You may be thinking of the questionable performance of a Peltier-chip cooler. Imho, those things are an utter waste of time, money and battery amperage: at least a 5-amp draw and that is constant! And from what I've heard, yes; one can only really expect a 40 or 50-degree drop from ambient...

. . Yes. I have a Group 31 DHP and it's the same in every detail as the pair of Group 31s in stock at one location that I have my eye on, but I have to save some scratch to buy them. If they're there when it's time, then, great. If not, I'll pay a lil' more and get the orange ones. . As for how...

. . Sure! They like to be hit with some juice during the bulk charge phase (to +/- 80% state of charge), yes... however the next phase is critical: the absorption phase... with voltage in the 14.7 range, and for HOURS. This is the issue that people who are chronically undercharging their...

. Outstanding, sirs!

. . It's the best there is! in small solar electric componentry. The Trimetric battery meter alone! is invaluable, but it's installation, although straightforward, involves using a Negative battery shunt among other, much smaller system wiring. . I'm saving for the meter, and if I were to...

. My advice regarding that battery type (I own them too) is to familiarize yourself with how that battery likes to be charged. . Odyssey Battery Tech PDF w/ charge profile information . Then invest in an EnerSys/Odyssey OMAX 50A 1B charger to "treat" each of those batteries, one at a time, when...

. . ^ ^ ^ bah-BOOM. . /thread . . . :costumed-smiley-007

. And if you decide on the SS MPPT and two panels, you have the option of connecting the panels in series to produce a nominal 24V solar input. This way you could have one cable, up to a 25' run of 10 ga for the convenience of getting the panels in full sun while your vehicle is in the shade...

. . I'm a big believer in keeping things simple. That's the "default" I start with and then I go from there. At first, I'd leave the Winnie's existing battery and wiring to itself. The Win's drivetrain alternator will be taxed trying to keep up with it's engine battery AND a 200Ah bank. Why...

. Welcome. It's a pleasure. I like what you, dwh and verkstad have to say whenever you guys pop in. :costumed-smiley-007 . Regarding Tex's setup, I'd like to add that he can still use his alternator in his situation; it will only help to shorten the necessary "bulk" charge phase, beginning the...

. broken1's advice is sound (it always is! although to be honest I did not read every detail of his most recent post... my bad). Here's another possible way of doing it... . . And you should treat them as such; each with their own charging system. . . . Look again at the label of your...

. . More than likely you don't. But what you will need with this good generic setup is a proper wiring job. I'm seeing excellent results from a similarly-spec'd system using 10ga copper stranded from the panel to the camp trailer exterior wall, then #8 AWG marine cable to the charge controller...

. I've learned that a battery or a bank of batteries (connected together in parallel or in series) may have several different charging sources connected to it at all times without harm (provided each charging module is intelligent enough [microprocessor-controlled] to know when to stop...

. Yessir. One reason I liked your reply was that last month sometime I had already determined that the Renogy 100W monocrystalline PV panels do in fact have two "bypass" diodes in each panel box. Before ordering some MC4 connectors from Renogy so I could make some 10 ga. extension cables, I...

. I sure like 4x4junkie's reply! a lot better than my worst-case scenario... lol. And, as noted in a prior post of mine, this is how I've connected my two panels. Thanks for the reply! junkie. .

. Indeed. Figure roughly about 5 amps per 100W panel. I'm seeing over 6 amps now, per panel (in peak sun), but that's with two 100W panels connected in series, producing an average 35 volts at this MPPT controller which then sends over 12 amps to this battery when the charge profile is in it's...