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You seem to be thinking down same lines as me = higher voltage directly to inverter? I was surprised when told to not use a controller for this. Anyway, neither of my inverters are hybrids... simple setup = panels to a mppt controller to lead acid batteries to inverter to load. As I said, I...

My understanding is panels can run directly to an inverter as long as don't go through controller. My question is: I use 24v inverters so is there a difference? I want to do this because: 1. I got solar panel happy after finally finding some UL Listed ones & bought 41 = way too many ha ha. So...

I bought an AIMs converter too. Like its deep cycle charging and adjustable amps. Was waiting on UL panels and finally got bunch on sale. Havent hooked them up yet cuz got so used to charging w/ my AIMs. Haha. My gen cord broke but luckily mine also had button start... rigged car battery to it...

Appears you've checked everything. I was going to ask where you were located because temp affects batteries BUT you said the bartteries were in an 80F room; so, hum. Lead carbon? What is that exactly? Like I use marine lead acid which man ole man I cam not run them down much or have to force...

That was just an example but all the panels at A1solarstore are 40v and up. As for controllers, irrelevant only because I collected bunch in past. Everything from 10a to 100, pvms, mppts... not a concern ya know. Just got myself twisted on the new panel voltages. Posted a lot in past when...

Finally buying panels and now voltage is high. IE) 375w 50v. Ive messed around and gotten myself totally confused. You know, like you have to remember certain controllers won't work with lithium, etc.. Just saying my brain database needs a reset. Recall something about certain voltage max input...

Another thing is even though your other charger is cheap, I prefer this one because of the deep cycle stages (keeps batteries from sulfating so they last longer). And there's a knob on back where u can control ampage. Like I used a small wire at 1st so lower it. You gotta ground it btw. There's...

Hey thx for relay idea. Disconnecting everytime has gotten old.

Yes it does. I bought one last yr and run it from generator to charge batteries. I disconnect it after every charge. Didnt measure but it was significant. Mine is setup for 24v. My next test = seeing if it will charge 2 in parallel. Manual says not to do that but going to try it. It charges my...

Yes it does. I bought one last yr and run it from generator to charge batteries. I disconnect it after every charge. Didnt measure but it was significant. Mine is setup for 24v. My next test = seeing if it will charge 2 in parallel. Manual says not to do that but going to try it. It charges my...

Ok now I want to move to Finland. LOL. A 'permit' is required for every step here. Well when you DIY. Hire solar contractor then bam but junky. I really don't think any of them know anything about... well anything. In this case, a person just wanted to make a ground mount frame... like I did...

Hey, I was even called a 'Karen' for being 'cranky' after running in to bunch Code Ordinances. Seriously ridiculous ones... especially concerning ground mounting. Codes on actual panels I understand and the wiring but come on... requiring frame stamped, screened in, etc... Many folk want to weld...

Irony is there is no requirement on solar batteries here. If they did that then would shut down probably all cars. Btw, batteries were only thing not UL required in my area.

I've been told a lot of ordinances were kinda thrown out there to heed off an anticipated solar movement. Problem in my area is appears no one went back and updated them. Wind power became super popular here. Seems there is absolutely no universal standard except the required main disconnect...

I wanted to add: so you are for sure ground mounting? Asking because I really want to do that also... offers more room and flexibility. Roof mounting seems more restrictive and my roof isn't angled South; although, I understand running in parallel alleviates issue of one shaded panel dragging...

I hear ya. From reading my ordinances (like I said read them so some idiot doesn't add crap), in my county (Brunswick, NC), I THINK it might be less complicated. Of course all wiring must be UL Listed w/ stamp... oh and I ran into specific UL # requirements. Like off- grid inverter was UL 1748...

I ran in to a lot of similar Code Oridances in my NC county. Insanity. To ground mount, mine has to even have a 6 foot screen around it. I agree something smells foul about this. Like, I'm in a coastal area where some vacationers only come once every couple years; yet, they must pay the power...

Im all about multiple so I say 2. I just don't like depending on 1 item. It goes then nothing. That's just me and simple answer. PS Ive even broken things down to dedicated 24vs but once again, that's me.

Exactly. The battery connections are far from universal. Took some dismantling my battery mowers to rig up a new battery setup. Of course had to use gas powered mower during this because grass growing doesnt turn off (be nice eh). The trailer charging station is a good idea and think... this is...

Well Ive been down this road... picked up a 7cuft freezer at walmart.com cheap. Ran into problem keeping it in the shed with extreme temps and high humidity. So, I moved that sucker outside in the shade and put my batteries in a mini shopping cart beside it. Time crunch atm so limited comments...

Ok read little more, lol. CA moving towards solar at high pace (related to bad air quality)... so the gas generator in back of the van idea goes out the window. Contractors do that a lot here on East Coast. Its also quite popular here to see inverters inside vans running off the battery. The...

I keep mentally coming back to your idea... I've rigged up all kinds of stuff. LOL. Update: I went solar DIY after my house burned down... didn't have insurance so started hoofing up a setup ya know. 1st rig job was get lights... well LED runs off DC so rigged to a power bank. (FYI youtube...

Oh yea btw, I've seen plenty of panels with battery terminal clips to use as trickle chargers.

Been awhile since Ive been to this site but your situation caught my eye: personally, I would just run the panels to a solar controller and use its DC output... no need for battery or inverter. The controller is like a regulator. You know, like I have an old charger that I use for what I call...

I'm thinking a few things: - 1st find out for sure, its bidirectional because the max voltage intake if it has an onboard controller is crucial. This kinda stuff is what limits panels btw. - Im not a voltage person... tend to focus on amps but ok. Everybody has their on thing. - clarifying ur...

Also, kinda says something between the lines to me when I will be the only sole solar home in my county... largest county by land mass in NC. (Brunswick). A lot of local folk are excited about my quest... doing this at much sacrifice and DIY cuz low budget. I'm definitely opening doors. Thanks...

Seriously Im so with you. Ive complained here many times that my county is whacko concerning anything solar. You would think come on follow OSHA guidelines, right. Not into conspiracies yet sonething smells bad when a beach town, where residents pay a base fee monthly, come once a year. Many...

Oh forgot: told getting UL Listed cost companies a lot more so they pass that cost to consumer. Probably how China made ones are so cheap. And those cheapos are stand-alone which basically means runs off batteries... solar panels are just for charging the batteries. That sux ya know. Need get...

I'm just going by what my county ordinance requires... says must be UL Listed. Many say ETL approved conforms to UL. Unsure if that qualifies because the UL stamp isn't there. Throwing me off is sometimes the stamp is. Trying to check into it. Cost is an issue also. If I get a savvy code...

Oh yea and definite OFC over CCA. I learned that too. Also, I used conduit but not insulated. Used fire brick and welding blankets to separate things to meet my personal safety guidelines. Bit nervous with running inverter continuous cuz of freezer.

Such a good question. Im going thru exact problem atm. Talked to sales at batterycablesusa.com (something like that lol). This guy literally would not sell me 0 awg for battery cables. Tried explain lose amps with length I want and cuz my house burned down, Im bit pyscho bout overshooting gauge...

Yea I worded that wrong. I meant tin plated copper. Point is: I was told to use tin plated on lead acid to reduce corrosion. Wondering if thats true. Cant find info about it.

Forgot to mention: I too bought a couple cheapo China inverters to get by in my camper. (house burned down, no ins, code being jerks so cdnt temp power pole). Building tiny home with couple 24s UL Listed but hiding cheapos with marine lead acid batts in shed atm (used fire brick, welding...

AIMS. Im a big fan. Even bought one of their converter chargers to keep my 24v batt bank charged off generator while panel shopping. Found them when desperate for UL1741 Listed products. Everybody else wanted your first child (price joke) to get UL but my boner county requires it. Its...

I will have to find it again. If memory serves, it was growat but unsure. I did find out ul used to be called certified but to be very careful. When advertised like 'ETL that meets UL' or 'UL certified' or 'meets UL requirements', all dandy BUT no UL emblem then DONT. I look up the tech...