Recent content by 2BZ2Ranch

Yeah, me too. Mine was a 200A Smart BMS with Fan for my first build. I didn’t know all that much about BMSs. It too has been running flawlessly for the last 2.5 years so keeping my fingers crossed ?. I did turn off the Daly balance circuit and add a 4S-5A Active Balancer which keeps cell Delta...

I like working on things as much (if not more) than actually using them. We’ve had several RVs, a Cessna 172, a drag car, and a few motorcycles. I really enjoy working on them to understand their design, capabilities, and potential. Only airplanes were a close second to my wife. I really liked...

@Rednecktek - Thanks again for your insight! I have confidence in the DIY I built because,,, I have used it since I built and know its limitations, i.e. I learned a lot! You‘re right (of course) about prices. In 2021 my DIY cost around $550 all-in with cells, bms, cables, lugs, bla, bla, bla and...

I’ve been reading through this thread and looking at the included links. I have a 12V 200AH LFP in my truck camper. I built the battery in July/August 2021 and it has been performing admirably. The wife and I consume 15 to 50 AH daily depending on the time of year. My current solar system of...

My, my, my. My search skills really, really, stink! Thank you very much. Dave

I bought an inexpensive Rivnut tool on Amazon years ago and used it on my Renogy tilt brackets to get rid of those stupid wing-nuts. I hadn’t thought of using them for the panels. Dave

I had a narrow and short Lance 1575 TT before. I put 2S strings on either side of the AC specifically for the reason you mention and it worked fine. I also had a portable setup for the same purpose and kept it. Thanks, D

My search skills are not very good. I tried different iterations of: effects, shading explained, etc., and couldn’t find it. Will is a pretty sharp fella and I would like to read up on the discussion. Could you provide a link to that thread? Thanks Dave

Since my controller can easily handle a Voc of 88 volts (and I already have everything I need) I’m going to try 2S2P for a while. If that doesn’t work for me then “it only costs a little bit more to go first class.” Thanks everyone, Dave

I don’t participate much on here but just about everything I learned about solar comes from diysolarforum. Thank you @Rednecktek and @Rocketman for sharing your knowledge and @HarryN for asking such a pertinent question. D

I have a second controller (Morningstar 15A mppt) from my old camper that I put in the battery compartment. I made a 24V 120W portable panel (2P 60W). I went with the higher voltage so I could use smaller gauge extension cables. Since Watts are Watts and I don’t need to worry about shade I might...

Thanks for the reply. Running 4P mainly to ameliorate the effects of shading. Shade is inevitable at some point during the day when boondocking in the forests (typically Arizona and Utah). I do winter in the desert for a while but mainly spring through autumn travels. Going 4S would exceed the...

Forgot the photo:rolleyes:

I’m mounting an array on my Truck Camper consisting of 200W, Voc = 44V and Isc = 5.75A panels wired 4P; total Isc of 23A (EDIT Amps not Watts) Is it okay to use 4x1 50A ”Y” connectors (photo) an all MC4 run,,, or should I wire the panels through a roof-mounted junction box with minimal (if any)...

My sincere apologies for the late response. It was as @Bobert suspected as being a problem on the battery side. In my case it was the cheap ($12) 40A inline circuit breaker between the SCC and the battery that had poor continuity/bad contacts. I rapped on the CB with a small hammer and the...