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After doing more reading and then testing the "load" from the charge controller sucks. It could not power a 12 volt road pro oven.

Okay. You can stop fighting. I understand no panel gives the rated output. The panel will be on a van. I will only have room for one panel. So I'm looking for the highest watts I can get on a 12 volt system. Using a charge controller to lower the voltage seems like there should be a loss to me...

Small. 170 AH. I plan to add a 200 watt panel later.

Thanks.

Nothing in the paper work says what the load is rated at. But it couldn't handle 144 watts. Mine is a 30 amp controller.

Why would I need a DC-DC inverter ? The load output would be going to a Kodiak power box. The old model. It has two different inputs for DC charging.

The battery voltage ?

I just got the Owl. I plan on staying with 12 volt setup. Amp hours checked out at 2.1 wh. The low voltage bms cutout was lower than I liked. 9.2 cutout. I understand the batteries should face up. So far good for me.

It finished charging the battery. Voltage was holding at 14.7 at the battery and the charge controller. Zero amps going into the battery. Charge controller showed 165 amp hours into the battery. It a Big Battery 12 volt 170 AH. So far I'm happy with it. Now I just need to redo my solar panels...

Multi voltage panels ? Looking at 300 watt panels that says multi voltage. 12 volt, 24 volt, 36 volt. It that correct ?

I added a 80 watt ( new ) solar panel in parallel with my old 100 watt panel. I only seem to be getting a 1 amp increase. At peak sun shine my best is 4.5 amps for a 180 watt system. I can get 3.5 with amps with just the 80 watt panel. Any thoughts ? Yes it is a 12 volt system.

Good question. I always thought it was best to match batteries amp hours .

New thought. Could I use the "Load" on the solar charge controller to charge the second battery ?

Thanks for the tip. Already there.

Credit to DavidPoz from online. He explained about the capacitor better than I could. Start at 6:47 or watch all of it. Best to leave the invertor connected .

So as long as you are not charging it you are good? If you connect a battery pack about the same amp hour for discharge only it should work. Maybe someone will try it and post about it.

How did the fences post work out ?

I swear when I mounted my 100 watt panel it was 100 % in sun light. Yes I know that changes depending on the season. But I went from 100 % down to 75 % sun light. I've watched it for the last four months and that is not good enough. So I moved my one , 100 watt solar panel. about three feet away...

Thank you Hedges. The battery is a 170 ah. Showing 150 Amp Hour. I checked each panel and I am getting 3.5 from the 80 watt panel and 4.2 from the 100 watt panel. I'm still only getting 4.5 watts from both panels in parallel. So perhaps the charge controller is limiting the amps as the battery...

PS. The 12 volt Owl battery from B.B. is still doing good. Currently doing it's third recharge on the system. Yes the battery pack is facing up.

I should receive my 12 Volt Owl battery today. After seeing the issue with the 24 volt battery do I need to worry ? Can I keep it upright ? Or should I place it on the back to avoid stacking the 4 batteries ?

I don't have any data sheets. The 100 watt panel is about 10 years old and is from Renogy . The 80 watt is a Dokio folding panel. The wires are the standard wires that came with the Renogy panel. The wires are about six foot in length. A no name 30 amp charge controller. Once the sun is up...

https://a1solarstore.com/panasonic-370w-solar-panel-120-cell-evervolt.html I'm sure I'm reading something wrong.

I got the battery charged up and tested it. 2.1k watt hours. Give or take a few with my testing. Hooked back up with the inverter in line. It will be a few days but I'll be back.

And that would be why you need the Owl max. Your going for a higher voltage. Is it going to be a fixed location or in a mobile location ?

I have a very small setup. 100 watt solar. 30 amp charge control. LiFePo battery and a 1500 watt inverter. Should I disconnect the inverter when charging the battery ? It seems to be charging a capacitor in the inverter. At 100 watt I need all the power going into the battery. Or would it...

I asked almost the same question. You should be okay as long as the inverter is switched off.

I'm going with placing it on it's back. This battery will spend some time in a van traveling. So some form of cushion sounds like a " Must " add on.

So it won't matter that much if I leave the inverter connected ?