Hi all, I'm fairly new to solar setups and learning more every day. I bought my first setup listed below. I'm on a fairly tight budget and would like to upgrade to get at least another 500 Wh per day or so to meet our needs. This is our SHTF back up system. No particular Watt requirements are required. Just looking to get the most out of the $200 we have for upgrades.
30 amp @ 12V cheap pwm controller
2 Mighty max 100 Ah gel batteries
300 W constant watt msw 12V inverter
2000 W constant watt msw 12V inverter
Cheap Watts meter only 14 awg wire
The rest of the wiring is at least 12 if not 10 awg.
Two mightymax Poly 160 W 12V panels
20 ft of 10 Awg power cables with connections.
The panels 320 Watts worth are mounted on the roof at approximately a 35 degree angle facing south with room underneath to breath. These panels get sun most of the day.
So I got the chance to test out what it can do on a beautiful day in NC. Testing was done with a constant load on the inverter to keep the controller working hard. Results listed below.
The temperature was at 91 Deg for a good part of the afternoon. Lots of sun, almost no clouds.
1128 Wh produced 93.2 Ah produced
12.1 Vm. 233 Wp. 18.1 Ap
Watt meter is placed between the controller to the Battery.
These numbers seem slightly below what I expected but it was still pretty satisfying. Should I have expected to see better production out of my system? Or was it par for the course for what it is?
I'd like to add another 160 Watt panel to start with thinking it would be my biggest bang for the buck. Or not?
I have another identical 30 amp controller that I would like to use in this setup with the battery bank. I plan on buying a couple more for back up.
My weak little 14 awg Watt meter couldn't handle any more then the max 18 amps peak now. I doubt the controller would handle anymore either.
So I'm thinking of duplicating the 30A controller setup with watt meter in the same box and bank for dirt cheap. I hear running two controllers on the same bank is fine.
I could eventually add another 160 W panel and 100 ah battery for an upgrade to 640 Watts of panels and 300 Ah battery bank.
So my upgrade cost would initially run me about $200 adding another panel, controller, watt meter and power cables.
I'm aware that a Mppt controller and pure sine wave inverter would benefit this system greatly but feel my money would be best spent on another panel or two. Most of the items I will be powering will be VDC to prevent loss from converting to AC power.
These are my thoughts for my Best bang for the buck. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. Any input you have is appreciated. Thanks for listening.
30 amp @ 12V cheap pwm controller
2 Mighty max 100 Ah gel batteries
300 W constant watt msw 12V inverter
2000 W constant watt msw 12V inverter
Cheap Watts meter only 14 awg wire
The rest of the wiring is at least 12 if not 10 awg.
Two mightymax Poly 160 W 12V panels
20 ft of 10 Awg power cables with connections.
The panels 320 Watts worth are mounted on the roof at approximately a 35 degree angle facing south with room underneath to breath. These panels get sun most of the day.
So I got the chance to test out what it can do on a beautiful day in NC. Testing was done with a constant load on the inverter to keep the controller working hard. Results listed below.
The temperature was at 91 Deg for a good part of the afternoon. Lots of sun, almost no clouds.
1128 Wh produced 93.2 Ah produced
12.1 Vm. 233 Wp. 18.1 Ap
Watt meter is placed between the controller to the Battery.
These numbers seem slightly below what I expected but it was still pretty satisfying. Should I have expected to see better production out of my system? Or was it par for the course for what it is?
I'd like to add another 160 Watt panel to start with thinking it would be my biggest bang for the buck. Or not?
I have another identical 30 amp controller that I would like to use in this setup with the battery bank. I plan on buying a couple more for back up.
My weak little 14 awg Watt meter couldn't handle any more then the max 18 amps peak now. I doubt the controller would handle anymore either.
So I'm thinking of duplicating the 30A controller setup with watt meter in the same box and bank for dirt cheap. I hear running two controllers on the same bank is fine.
I could eventually add another 160 W panel and 100 ah battery for an upgrade to 640 Watts of panels and 300 Ah battery bank.
So my upgrade cost would initially run me about $200 adding another panel, controller, watt meter and power cables.
I'm aware that a Mppt controller and pure sine wave inverter would benefit this system greatly but feel my money would be best spent on another panel or two. Most of the items I will be powering will be VDC to prevent loss from converting to AC power.
These are my thoughts for my Best bang for the buck. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. Any input you have is appreciated. Thanks for listening.
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