IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
This camper has been on the road since 2012.
Its essentially a 200W 24V solar array charging a (roughly) 100AH 12v useable system.
During the hot months when we tend to seek shade, we opt for 100 watts of a supplemental "brief case" solar ground array.
Being terribly frugal, its work great for us but times change, power demands change, things wear out.
While this system is doing pretty good, its time to consider some upgrades.
I'm currently looking at doubling the solar output on the camper as the space and wiring will allow it.
These upgrades would likely be lifetime for full timing, so Id like to do it right the first time.
Two Deep cycle 6V FLA batteries (230AH each)
Two RNG-100P (100W Renogy) panels being 45.44VOC "24v", measuring 40.1x26.3x1.4 inches
They are wired in parallel, and as I recall I've seen a bit more than 12amps (at 12V) charging the house bank.
An Ecoworthy 20amp MPPT charge controller has done great and has been running the system for nearly 15 years.
The current batteries are a Duracell 6v deep cycle, rated at 230AH, and are only a year or so old.
So for now I want to use these as I can for a few years, all the while future proofing this system in a way to allow replacing these with lithium.
But at this point Id love to push to 300+ AH of lithium eventually.
With the space allowed, I'm currently looking at some Renogy panels, both being N-type, both 200W each, same size/weight, both being "24v" panels.
Two options I'm looking at right now, that will drop right in place of the old. And Renogy, just because of the excellent performance so far.
First is the Renogy "shadowflux", being 36.5VOC, 6.38amps (optimal)
Second being the Renogy "high efficiency", being 37.44VOC, 6.48amp (optimal)
On paper they seem essentially identical, but Id love to hear from anyone that has any comments about the tech, and perhaps first hand experience.
Even if you suggest other brands/types of panels, I'm all ears.
As far as charge controllers, I'm up for suggestions. I've had impeccable service from this Ecoworthy 30A MPPT controller.
But its long been outmoded, and from my understanding, would be the bottle neck for this system.
So Im looking at both the Ecoworthy 40A MPPT and the 60A MPPT. If they are even remotely as reliable as this 30A has been Ill be golden.
The 40A unit is limited to 560Watts of solar, while the 60A unit is rated to 780Watts. So in a perfect world, rooftop & ground array combined, the 40A would be a bottle neck.
But Ecoworthy is far from the only option. So Id love to hear your suggestions for this proposed system.
Thanks all
Its essentially a 200W 24V solar array charging a (roughly) 100AH 12v useable system.
During the hot months when we tend to seek shade, we opt for 100 watts of a supplemental "brief case" solar ground array.
Being terribly frugal, its work great for us but times change, power demands change, things wear out.
While this system is doing pretty good, its time to consider some upgrades.
I'm currently looking at doubling the solar output on the camper as the space and wiring will allow it.
These upgrades would likely be lifetime for full timing, so Id like to do it right the first time.
Two Deep cycle 6V FLA batteries (230AH each)
Two RNG-100P (100W Renogy) panels being 45.44VOC "24v", measuring 40.1x26.3x1.4 inches
They are wired in parallel, and as I recall I've seen a bit more than 12amps (at 12V) charging the house bank.
An Ecoworthy 20amp MPPT charge controller has done great and has been running the system for nearly 15 years.
The current batteries are a Duracell 6v deep cycle, rated at 230AH, and are only a year or so old.
So for now I want to use these as I can for a few years, all the while future proofing this system in a way to allow replacing these with lithium.
But at this point Id love to push to 300+ AH of lithium eventually.
With the space allowed, I'm currently looking at some Renogy panels, both being N-type, both 200W each, same size/weight, both being "24v" panels.
Two options I'm looking at right now, that will drop right in place of the old. And Renogy, just because of the excellent performance so far.
First is the Renogy "shadowflux", being 36.5VOC, 6.38amps (optimal)
Second being the Renogy "high efficiency", being 37.44VOC, 6.48amp (optimal)
On paper they seem essentially identical, but Id love to hear from anyone that has any comments about the tech, and perhaps first hand experience.
Even if you suggest other brands/types of panels, I'm all ears.
As far as charge controllers, I'm up for suggestions. I've had impeccable service from this Ecoworthy 30A MPPT controller.
But its long been outmoded, and from my understanding, would be the bottle neck for this system.
So Im looking at both the Ecoworthy 40A MPPT and the 60A MPPT. If they are even remotely as reliable as this 30A has been Ill be golden.
The 40A unit is limited to 560Watts of solar, while the 60A unit is rated to 780Watts. So in a perfect world, rooftop & ground array combined, the 40A would be a bottle neck.
But Ecoworthy is far from the only option. So Id love to hear your suggestions for this proposed system.
Thanks all
Last edited:
