Looking for second opinions of scc/panel specs before buying setup

Found some new 410W PERC Mission panels locally for $200 each, as far as I can tell they should work with my planned setup (installing parallel on van roof, can only fit 2 at this size) I'd like to get some second opinions before I buy them. I already have two 24v - 2560wh batteries (LiTime) that i'll either run in parallel, or figure out a way to run off one while I charge the other if that's more ideal. As you can probably tell by reading this i'm somewhat of an amatuer with electrical so please be kind. Thanks in advance!



SOLAR PANEL SPECS (TXI10-410 - On the right)



SCC/INVERTER SPECS (PIP 2724 LV-MR)

Looks good .

But... The only way those panels will work with that inverter is connected in parallel.

Too bad you didn't get the 2424 you could do the panels in series.

Edit. Probably better in parallel anyway on top of a van.

TMariano said:

that i'll either run in parallel, or figure out a way to run off one while I charge the other if that's more ideal.

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You need to keep them in parallel at the same SoC. Make sure you wire in a balanced manner: + main wire to one battery, - main wire to the other battery.

820W / 28V charging = 29A

You should really get a great SCC since its the heart and brains of your system.

50% off, you will love the bluetooth, 5 year warranty, worth every penny to have a reliable system

Hi TMariano,
Are you sure you can run 2 of those in any configuration? Your charge controller says Max 15 amps and 60 volts.

2 panels in series will be over 60 volts. 2 panels in parallel will be way over 15 amps.

Maybe Someone smarter with the small systems can determine if your controller can handle over-paneling that much. You can handle two panels in series if slightly smaller, just not those two.

SunDave said:

Hi TMariano,
Are you sure you can run 2 of those in any configuration? Your charge controller says Max 15 amps and 60 volts.

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I wrongly assumed amps increased with series not parallel, think i'm going to look into a different AIO, maybe even just getting everything seperately altogether.

TomC4306 said:

Too bad you didn't get the 2424 you could do the panels in series.

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I haven't bought the AIO or panels yet just the batteries, not against getting the 2424 instead if that would mean I could use these panels in series. I plan on only parking where there is sun anyway while I'm away 4 days a week working. The other 3 days i'll have grid power to top off if need be as well.

MisterSandals said:

You should really get a great SCC since its the heart and brains of your system.

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I'm really thinking about it, I was trying to avoid buying too many external components and just wanted a quick/easy setup for now but that Victron is a REALLY good deal. Would you recommend I get the 50A model to be safe or will the 30A be okay as long as the panels don't add up to over 30A?

Would this also be something that could easily be tied into an AIO already equipped with a charge controller or am I better off just getting everything else separate as well?

TMariano said:

I haven't bought the AIO or panels yet just the batteries, not against getting the 2424 instead if that would mean I could use these panels in series. I plan on only parking where there is sun anyway while I'm away 4 days a week working. The other 3 days i'll have grid power to top off if need be as well.

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I have the 2424 mds units and they are good units and will handle a lot more solar input the only downside of these imo are the idle consumption if you are not leaving the inverter on all the time it’s a non issue or if you have enough battery and solar to cover the consumption ( the 2724 most likely will have similar consumption rates )

Another option if you like the 2724 design is add a second victron 100/20 or 100/30 to the system I run 2 2424mds in parallel and also have 4 victron 100/30 also feeding my battery bank

For the price you get a lot with the mpp aio units and they are pretty solid but if you decide to go individually I highly suggest victron which I also run 2 24/300/70 multi plus units and the victron app is great so it basically come down to your budget and how much you want to assemble in your system ( for simple install the 2724 is hard to beat)

TMariano said:

Would you recommend I get the 50A model to be safe or will the 30A be okay as long as the panels don't add up to over 30A?

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The 30A is the max charge current. Thats what determines what is pulled from the panels.

TMariano said:

Would this also be something that could easily be tied into an AIO already equipped with a charge controller or am I better off just getting everything else separate as well?

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You'd just need an inverter as far as i can tell from your OP.

Are you in this for the long haul? What is the level of reliability you seek? Budget?

rodrick said:

I also run 2 24/3000/70 multi plus units

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Solid solution.

rodrick said:

I have the 2424 mds units and they are good units and will handle a lot more solar input the only downside of these imo are the idle consumption if you are not leaving the inverter on all the time it’s a non issue or if you have enough battery and solar to cover the consumption ( the 2724 most likely will have similar consumption rates )

Another option if you like the 2724 design is add a second victron 100/20 or 100/30 to the system I run 2 2424mds in parallel and also have 4 victron 100/30 also feeding my battery bank

For the price you get a lot with the mpp aio units and they are pretty solid but if you decide to go individually I highly suggest victron which I also run 2 24/300/70 multi plus units and the victron app is great so it basically come down to your budget and how much you want to assemble in your system ( for simple install the 2724 is hard to beat)

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That's great to hear about the 2424! I did plan on having it off when I wasn't using it, it's not super ideal for my lifestyle but it's a small price to pay for the time i'll be saving.

I'm assuming that the Victron would be a better SCC than the 2424 SCC as well? If this is the case I think I will just get the 100/30 and the 2724 as I already had a perfect spot for it that won't fit anything bigger without changing layout.

MisterSandals said:

You'd just need an inverter as far as i can tell from your OP.

Are you in this for the long haul? What is the level of reliability you seek? Budget?

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Both AIO's also comes with a converter/AC charger (planning on using both), but I believe that's pretty much it aside from internal fuses and a battery shunt? I'm sure I could figure out the wiring if I were to go all individual pieces with enough time and research, but my main focus is on the quickest/easiest setup that works.

I was hoping the final cost would be under 2k, but i'm not too worried about spending more if it does what it's supposed to and i'm not getting ripped off. I plan on living in the van full time for the foreseeable future, end goal is the most reliable setup I can get regardless of setup difficulty or cost (within reason), but just need something that works good and sets up fast for now.

I'm thinking in a year or two when I have (hopefully) much more money/time I will rehash my system and upgrade, i'm not exactly in a stable living situation though so i'm more concerned with getting it done quickly than anything else.

TMariano said:

I can get regardless of setup difficulty or cost (within reason), but just need something that works good and sets up fast for now.

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You haven't really said what "something that works" means. You have not specified how much power you need on a daily basis, whether that power is AC or DC or what combination, whether you expect to have shore power (my guess since you are fixated on AIOs), whether you expect to have alternator charging, .... lots of missing requirements that this solution would hopefully satisfy.

MisterSandals said:

You haven't really said what "something that works" means. You have not specified how much power you need on a daily basis, whether that power is AC or DC or what combination, whether you expect to have shore power (my guess since you are fixated on AIOs), whether you expect to have alternator charging, .... lots of missing requirements that this solution would hopefully satisfy.

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TMariano said:

I haven't bought the AIO or panels yet just the batteries, not against getting the 2424 instead if that would mean I could use these panels in series. I plan on only parking where there is sun anyway while I'm away 4 days a week working. The other 3 days i'll have grid power to top off if need be as well.

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I meant shore power here^, I didn't realize there was a difference to the two. I was planning on using the alternator to charge as well, I thought I already mentioned that my apologies. Also looking for places near where I work where I could possibly charge after I get off just in case panels/ alternator aren't enough through the week.

I don't have my exact calculations on hand, but iirc it was around 2.5-3kw per day just for the 4 days a week i'm working during summer. None of the other seasons come close in power needs, less than half of what i'd need for summer. I will be using a combination of AC and DC, about 60/40 respectively.

Are you not a fan of AIOs?

TMariano said:

2.5-3kw per day

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3kWh

TMariano said:

already have two 24v - 2560wh batteries

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2.5kWh batteries
2560Wh / 810W solar = 3.16h to fully charge at 100% efficiency

So you will need to charge every day and consume at least 500Wh while charging.
We have not addressed alternator charging solutions. Victron Orion 18A and 30A are pretty nice solutions.
And none of my recommendations addressed shore power charging. An AIO or stand alone charger are possible solutions.

TMariano said:

Are you not a fan of AIOs?

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I have never owned one. I like the ability to pick an SCC that works with my array and battery (and i tend to move them between different systems as i need them). My main SCC workhorse, a Morningstar MPPT 45, is from 2009.
They work well for a lot of people so make the decision based on your needs and the way you tend to operate.

MisterSandals said:

3kWh

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Thank you

MisterSandals said:

We have not addressed alternator charging solutions. Victron Orion 18A and 30A are pretty nice solutions.

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Think i'll take your advice on the Orion once I figure out what alternator I have/need. I know it's not stock and I didn't install it so i'm unsure what the output current is, but even the 60A alternator (lowest amperage available for my van) has a max charge current of 30, so any alternator should work for the Orion 30A i'd think?

Also, please pardon my ignorance but would I still need a step-up converter from the alternator to the Orion smart charger listed below? I read that it handles the conversions automatically but I want to be certain.

MisterSandals said:

I have never owned one. I like the ability to pick an SCC that works with my array and battery (and i tend to move them between different systems as i need them). My main SCC workhorse, a Morningstar MPPT 45, is from 2009.
They work well for a lot of people so make the decision based on your needs and the way you tend to operate.

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Went ahead and bought the Victron 100/30 and will get the panels listed in OP this weekend, will run them in series unless parallel would be better. Since i'll be using a different SCC from the AIO I figure I might as well get the inverter and converter separate as well, it seems like a waste of money/space if i'm not going to be using one of the components of the AIO at all.

TMariano said:

Also, please pardon my ignorance but would I still need a step-up converter from the alternator to the Orion smart charger listed below? I read that it handles the conversions automatically but I want to be certain.

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Just realise this 10A @ 24V charger will pull 20+A from the 12V alternator.

10A x 24V == 20A x 12V
Both are 240W

TMariano said:

Went ahead and bought the Victron 100/30

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Make sure it is the smart one with Bluetooth ($20 more but well worth double that, you’ll see)

Okay, if I end up going the alt charging route I will most likely get that (was also looking at the victron 12/24V 20A High Power below if you have any suggestions on that) and make sure my alternator can handle the extra max current of whatever I go with. I've decided on getting a small generator insead of relying too heavily on the van as it's an 89', so in the end the alt will just be an emergency backup and the genny would be my main backup.

MisterSandals said:

Make sure it is the smart one with Bluetooth ($20 more but well worth double that, you’ll see)

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I didn't think to check but luckily was the one I got. I also bought the MPPT Control but apparently don't need it with the bluetooth..? Think I might use it anyways just so I always have a monitor going.

TMariano said:

victron 12/24V 20A High Power

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Is there a reason you decided upon the non-isolated version? I am pretty sure i want my vehicle electrical system isolated from my house electrical system.
I think with shore power grounded to the frame and some of my solar and house inverter grounded to the frame, there was too much risk of a ground fault cooking my engine electronics/onboard computer (Sprinter electronics are vital and expensive).

You really need to figure out your alternators available capacity after your vehicle use. 20A 24V charging is likely a 50A 12Vdraw on the alternator. These are not configurable (they weren't when i installed one for a friend).

MisterSandals said:

Is there a reason you decided upon the non-isolated version?

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I read on a few different posts on this forum that if both grounds were going to the chassis then it wouldn't make a difference whether it was isolated/non-isolated, but I clearly need to do more research on the matter.

MisterSandals said:

You really need to figure out your alternators available capacity after your vehicle use. 20A 24V charging is likely a 50A 12Vdraw on the alternator. These are not configurable (they weren't when i installed one for a friend).

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I am unsure how to do that but I will look into it and check asap. Was also going to pull the alt and check the model/current output when i'm back here next weekend.

TMariano said:

With the isolated unit I would essentially just need to create my own ground that was separate from the chassis? If so, would an isolated AC - DC converter also need its own ground separate from the DC - DC?

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Gosh, i hopes someone corrects me if i have this wrong:

The alternator side will already be grounded at the engine battery which will be firmly attached to frame at battery.

The house side electronics, i like to keep as separate as possible from the engine alternator side, and having an isolated DC-DC charger does not violate that.

TMariano said:

Was also going to pull the alt and check the model/current output when i'm back here next weekend.

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You'd have to also how much your vehicle uses too. And even then, i'm sure you wouldn't want to run it near max capacity very long if ever.

TMariano said:

van as it's an 89',

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I don't know if old is bad or good. They don't make things like they used to but thats 35 years old.
If you get a make and model, someone here will probably know a lot about it.

MisterSandals said:

The alternator side will already be grounded at the engine battery which will be firmly attached to frame at battery.

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Ah yes I forgot about the alt ground, I think mine is in the engine but I will find out. Either way I will make sure to ground the isolated converter to that.

MisterSandals said:

The house side electronics, i like to keep as separate as possible from the engine alternator side, and having an isolated DC-DC charger does not violate that.

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I didn't really think about that, it makes sense though and I will be sure to do that!

MisterSandals said:

You'd have to also how much your vehicle uses too. And even then, i'm sure you wouldn't want to run it near max capacity very long if ever.

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I read you can test that by pulling the fuse to the alternator and running the engine measuring the power draw with a clamp-on ammeter, gonna give that a shot and go from there.

MisterSandals said:

If you get a make and model, someone here will probably know a lot about it.

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It's a 1989 Ford E-150 Cargo 4.9L with 190k miles, I will post a different thread about the van soon here as I was also thinking about just installing a 2nd 24v alt (dual alternator setup) instead of tying to the engine alt, I know I have the space would just need to jerry rig a bracket/pulley for it or find someone that knows of one I can use.

I figured it'd be more ideal/efficient but if you think it would be more work than it's worth i'm open to hear what you have to say about it.