Life In The Dog House
New Member
Hi everyone,
Over the last little bit, I have collected all (or most), of the parts for a small solar system in my van. I was aiming somewhere between Will's minimalist and classic 400 blueprint. I have an Astro van- so space is limited, and my solar panels will be stored inside the back of the van.
Items I have ready to go are:
2 - 80 watt glass poly solar panels (purchased years ago and they have been sitting in my closet)
2 - 100ah AGM batteries (I figured if one was good, two was better)
Battery monitor
20 amp MPPT charger (purchased based on my solar panels, and not expecting the ability to upgrade so soon)
2000 watt inverter
Fuse block
200amp fuse and holder
Tools and most of the wires (locally sourced), to put it all together.
In addition, a smart battery isolator is being installed in my van- although, right now I drive less than an hour a day.
I don't have:
a bus bar
50 amp breaker, or
pair of branch connectors for the solar panels.
I came into a tiny windfall that means I have a chance to add to my solar, but I am not sure which option (below), would be the wisest choice. My main questions are:
1. I remember reading that mppt charge controllers can handle double the wattage they are rated for. But, is that is true for all mppt charge controllers? If yes, then that means my charge controller's stated rating of 12v/260 watts can be doubled to 12v/520 watts? and,
2. I know this is a loaded question and, is based on many factors but, what would be a reasonable (common sense) amount of solar be to keep 2-100ah batteries charged? i.e.) 50 watts of solar isn't going to reasonably charge 200ah; But would 260-watts? 360-watts? 460-watts be reasonable to charge the batteries?
Answers to the above two questions would help me figure out which option listed below would be the best purchase to make. These are my options:
A.4-100 poly watt panels (560 watts total)- charge controller rated for 12v/260 (12v/520?);
B. 3-100 poly watt panels (460 watts total) - 20 amp CC rated 12v/260 (12v/520?);
C. 3-100 poly watt panels (460 watts total); a bus bar; a 50amp breaker; pair of branch connectors and attempt to exchange my 20 amp mppt for a 40 amp one;
D. 2-100 poly watt panels (360 watts total) - keep CC rated for 12v/260 (12v/520?);
E. 2-100 poly watt panels (360 watts total); a bus bar; a 50amp breaker; pair of branch connectors and attempt to exchange my 20 amp mppt for a 30 amp one;
F. 1-100 poly watt panels - giving me 260 watts of solar - keep CC rated for 12v/260 (12v/520?);
Thanks,
Clyn
Edited to remove text I forgot to remove.
Over the last little bit, I have collected all (or most), of the parts for a small solar system in my van. I was aiming somewhere between Will's minimalist and classic 400 blueprint. I have an Astro van- so space is limited, and my solar panels will be stored inside the back of the van.
Items I have ready to go are:
2 - 80 watt glass poly solar panels (purchased years ago and they have been sitting in my closet)
2 - 100ah AGM batteries (I figured if one was good, two was better)
Battery monitor
20 amp MPPT charger (purchased based on my solar panels, and not expecting the ability to upgrade so soon)
2000 watt inverter
Fuse block
200amp fuse and holder
Tools and most of the wires (locally sourced), to put it all together.
In addition, a smart battery isolator is being installed in my van- although, right now I drive less than an hour a day.
I don't have:
a bus bar
50 amp breaker, or
pair of branch connectors for the solar panels.
I came into a tiny windfall that means I have a chance to add to my solar, but I am not sure which option (below), would be the wisest choice. My main questions are:
1. I remember reading that mppt charge controllers can handle double the wattage they are rated for. But, is that is true for all mppt charge controllers? If yes, then that means my charge controller's stated rating of 12v/260 watts can be doubled to 12v/520 watts? and,
2. I know this is a loaded question and, is based on many factors but, what would be a reasonable (common sense) amount of solar be to keep 2-100ah batteries charged? i.e.) 50 watts of solar isn't going to reasonably charge 200ah; But would 260-watts? 360-watts? 460-watts be reasonable to charge the batteries?
Answers to the above two questions would help me figure out which option listed below would be the best purchase to make. These are my options:
A.
B. 3-100 poly watt panels (460 watts total) - 20 amp CC rated 12v/260 (12v/520?);
C. 3-100 poly watt panels (460 watts total); a bus bar; a 50amp breaker; pair of branch connectors and attempt to exchange my 20 amp mppt for a 40 amp one;
D. 2-100 poly watt panels (360 watts total) - keep CC rated for 12v/260 (12v/520?);
E. 2-100 poly watt panels (360 watts total); a bus bar; a 50amp breaker; pair of branch connectors and attempt to exchange my 20 amp mppt for a 30 amp one;
F. 1-100 poly watt panels - giving me 260 watts of solar - keep CC rated for 12v/260 (12v/520?);
Thanks,
Clyn
Edited to remove text I forgot to remove.
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