1025watts of Solar | 8 - 100aH Battleborn Lithium Batteries | 24v System

We're in the process of building out our off grid sprinter 170.

We've decided to mount this bundle on our roof rack from Aluminess


We need a little help on which MPPT

MPPT

2 Tracer 4215BN

or

1 Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150|85-Tr

We're planning on using the Victron MultiPlus Inverter/Charger 3000W 24V.

We are thinking of having an additional heavy duty alternator installed to charge house batteries while driving/idling I know there are different schools of thought so looking for pros and cons etc.

Thank you in advance!

James

If you've already settled on the MultiPlus, there are advantages of sticking with their ecosystem, such as data connectivity, monitoring and control.

You generally don't need a 'heavy duty' alternator, you just need to control the charging current using a DC-DC charger (such as the Victron Orion product range).

I know that it can be a lot easier to just buy a kit but, in this case, as you're already contemplating swapping out the SCC and you can generally buy solar panels for about 1$ per Watt or $1,020 for an equivalent array, even discounted to $2,999.99 there's no way the remaining components are worth nearly $2,000.

Personally, I would stick with all Victron hardware when it comes down to it, keeping it "all in the family" is wise and Victron is Tier-1 product, so a bit premium but you do get what you pay for, it is good stuff all around. As for panels, there are MANY options that can save you a bundle. You can buy used panels really cheap but you can also get NOS (New Old Stock) unused panels too at really good pricing (be aware, not all panels are created equal) so I suggest sticking to "known good brands" and do a quick check on the model of panel to ensure they are not problem modules. There are some really good deals to be had out there.

I picked up 10 LG 350 watt panels from Santan Solar a few days ago. They were new (a discontinued model: LG NeOn R) and I paid $1515 out the door. Unloaded them to my site and I couldn't be happier with them and the price. I worked with Jason; they had the best prices I could find. If you piece together a system I suggest checking them out.

And nobody commented on the 8 Battleborn batteries?
How could one possibly need that much power in a Sprinter van?

OP, have you done an energy audit?

MisterSandals said:

How could one possibly need that much power in a Sprinter van?

Click to expand...

Days of autonomy?

Air conditioning and food/beverage refrigeration usually the killer...... some people disco....

WOW - 8 Battlehorns - would love to see you energy audit ....


But lets take apart that $3000 system for you ... (spoiler alert: you are literally paying someone $1200 to package the parts for you - the exact same parts you can get on EBay and Amazon yourself) ...

Those 6 x 170-Watt Panels are running on Amazon right now for 140 ea - free delivery ... so thats $840 ... That leaves $2160 (from $3000) ...

A good 80A MPPT will run you right at $300 (leaving you 1860)

2- 3port roof caps are $40 (leaving you 1820)

TEMco welding cable - and lugs - (great stuff) - $200 (leaving you 1620)

Lets throw in a Chargery BMS or BOGART monitoring system $200 - leaves you ($1420)

Various Breakers and fuze blocks - $150 -- (leaves you $1270)

And miscellaneous mounting hardware - $100 -- leaves you $1170 ...

So basically we have given you a better system and saved you about $1170 ...


Some folks like to go with a single VICTRON system -=- and some likes to pick and choose -- that all depends on YOU and your capability ..

You do NOT need a heavy duty alternator ... just get a VICTRON ORION DC-DC charger.

I may be wrong BUT doesn't the Victron MultiPlus Inverter/Charger 3000W 24V already have a BUILT IN SCC??

As for the Victron MultiPlus Inverter/Charger 3000W 24V - DUDE - thats a pretty large and powerful system - I think they run about @1200. Personally I would NOT do an all-n-one but get a excellent separate pure sine wave inverter, SCC, and a automatic transfer switch -- but thats just me ..

Believe me 400Ah @12V is not enough in some of these vans.

8.5kWh over 3 days 2.5 kwh day usable inverter losses..., .5kwh-1kwh refrigeration and lighting, 1.5kwh for everything else. If air conditioning or ventilation are used, it goes quick.

ghostwriter66 said:

A good 80A MPPT will run you right at $300

Click to expand...

REALLY ! ? Where, please provide a link GW

Some of these rigs like to be able to bridge not only cloudy days, but shore power availability and seek to limit generator use and may or may not drive every day, making dc to dc power availability a need for a bridge also.

Steve_S said:

REALLY ! ? Where, please provide a link GW

Click to expand...

https://www.amazon.com/EPEVER-Charge-Controller-Sealed-Flooded/dp/B07JJBRGN8 -- this one is about 330.00 ...

My internet out here is terribly slow -- BUT i know that we get the TRACER 8410AN (80A) without the MT50 and stuff for right at $295 ...

80A Controller Parameter

• Rated charge current : 80A
• Grounding: Common Negative
• LCD backlight time: 60S(Default)
• Terminal : 35mm2 (2AWG)
• Net Weight: 6.1kg(13.42 lb)
• Conversion efficiency: ≤98.7%
• Wattage: 1000W-6000W, MAX input power: 1500W/12V, 3000W/24V, 4500W/36V, 6000W/48V
• Battery Type: Sealed/Gel/Flooded/User
• Max. PV open circuit voltage: 200V
• Rated charge Power : 1000W/12V 2000W/24V 3000W/36V 4000W/48V

Bang for Buck not bad... I just located their 100A full kit for $448 USD with free S&H

EP-Ever is a good Tier-2 product line, certainly worth considering !

Steve_S said:

Bang for Buck not bad... I just located their 100A full kit for $448 USD with free S&H

Robot Check

EP-Ever is a good Tier-2 product line, certainly worth considering !

Click to expand...

I really like EPSOLAR and EPEVER ....have only had ONE in my extinguished career of 2 years of doing this that went bad and they shipped me a new one on the spot ... You have to get the MT50 to really program it or better yet just hook up your laptop ... BUT they have a great heatsink and are pretty bulletproof and if you open up the back of one its pretty impressive ...

ghostwriter66 said:

...have only had ONE in my extinguished career of 2 years

Click to expand...

I hope your career is more distinguished than extinguished but hey......... it happens. ?

JoeHam said:

I hope your career is more distinguished than extinguished but hey......... it happens. ?

Click to expand...

WOW - good catch .. i hope that's not a Freudian slip ... LOL

ghostwriter66 said:

I really like EPSOLAR and EPEVER ....have only had ONE in my extinguished career of 2 years of doing this that went bad and they shipped me a new one on the spot ... You have to get the MT50 to really program it or better yet just hook up your laptop ... BUT they have a great heatsink and are pretty bulletproof and if you open up the back of one its pretty impressive ...

Click to expand...

I like my Epever too.
"Extinguished Career", tee hee hee!

OffGridSprinter said:

We're in the process of building out our off grid sprinter 170.

We've decided to mount this bundle on our roof rack from Aluminess

Zamp Solar 1020W Deluxe RV Roof Mounted Solar Kit

Zamp Solar 1,020-Watts Solar Kit Our largest, most powerful roof mount kit is ideal for tiny houses, large RVs, or off-grid cabins that run off a 12-volt battery. With maximum efficiency, and quality you can trust, we designed this kit to help you find freedom off-grid. 1,020-Watt Kit...

www.solartechdirect.com

We need a little help on which MPPT

MPPT

2 Tracer 4215BN

or

1 Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150|85-Tr

We're planning on using the Victron MultiPlus Inverter/Charger 3000W 24V.

We are thinking of having an additional heavy duty alternator installed to charge house batteries while driving/idling I know there are different schools of thought so looking for pros and cons etc.

Thank you in advance!

James

Click to expand...

Hi James, This is pretty much identical to my system, except I have 1/2 the battery capacity. I have a Victron 150/35, and this copes 99% of the time with 6 x 170w solar. In theory it could output 2 or 3 more amps but this is for such a small percentage of time I couldn't justify the additional cost. Good choice going 24 v and the multiplus is amazing. If you would like I can send an article I wrote on why I went the way I did and some photos. Jon

offgriddle said:

I like my Epever too.
"Extinguished Career", tee hee hee!

Click to expand...

If Epever made a DC-DC/MPPT charger, I probably would have bought it. I was looking real hard at their 40A Triron SCC, since it came out.
I bought the temp probe and USB cable when I found a good deal, and the BT module, too.
But in the end I decided to go with a Kisae DMT1250 because the SCC side could go to 45V solar, and 50A charging from either input.
The Renogy was restricted to 25V on the SCC side and 25A.