New 1012LV-MS for our cabin.

[iceledoar]

I just ordered the 1012LV-MS from Ian @ usa-mpp-solar.com, nice folk. Can't wait for it to arrive... Now it's time to shop for 400+ watts of panels... hmm which ones to buy? Rules, fewest panels possible, cheap/good deal....... wonder if I can get any advice somewhere?

 

[namesgolden]

look locally, if you're paying to ship panels expect some ouch.

at 400w you are probably stuck with $100 100w panels from amazon unless you find a local source

if you wanna go big, or think you can sell the extra panels it makes sense to order a bunch. shipping two pallets to my property with liftgate service was $300.

I just ordered 20 250w panels for $800 (plus shipping). I also snagged a mpp 2424lv and a epever 30amp charger (this didn't affect the shipping cost)

 

[offgriddle]

look locally, if you're paying to ship panels expect some ouch.

at 400w you are probably stuck with $100 100w panels from amazon unless you find a local source

if you wanna go big, or think you can sell the extra panels it makes sense to order a bunch. shipping two pallets to my property with liftgate service was $300.

I just ordered 20 250w panels for $800 (plus shipping). I also snagged a mpp 2424lv and a epever 30amp charger (this didn't affect the shipping cost)

Wow! Ok, twenty 250 watt panels for eight hundred must be for old, used, mystery panels?

 

[Bob142]

at 400w you are probably stuck with $100 100w panels from amazon unless you find a local source

@iceledoar - If you don't have a local source, look at these HighTec Solars vs. going the 100W panel route. You get 2 great 200W panels for $320. Free shipping. They are out of stock at times but they keep making more so just add it to your watchlist and check in at times, or contact the seller and ask when they expect more to be available.

2- 200 Watt 12 Volt Battery Charger Solar Panel Off Grid RV Boat 400 watt total | eBay

5 bus bar modules are the latest technology in the market and they have several benefits over 3 bus bar or 4 bus bar modules. Benefit of 5 Bus bar on Solar Panels. Short Circuit Current (Isc) 480v solar.

www.ebay.com

 

[iceledoar]

@iceledoar - If you don't have a local source, look at these HighTec Solars vs. going the 100W panel route. You get 2 great 200W panels for $320. Free shipping. They are out of stock at times but they keep making more so just add it to your watchlist and check in at times, or contact the seller and ask when they expect more to be available.

2- 200 Watt 12 Volt Battery Charger Solar Panel Off Grid RV Boat 400 watt total | eBay

5 bus bar modules are the latest technology in the market and they have several benefits over 3 bus bar or 4 bus bar modules. Benefit of 5 Bus bar on Solar Panels. Short Circuit Current (Isc) 480v solar.

www.ebay.com

Thanks, Looking now

 

[namesgolden]

Wow! Ok, twenty 250 watt panels for eight hundred must be for old, used, mystery panels?

I sourced them from santan which is a high volume dealer. there's a thread here with discussion about them.

so yeah, they are used. I'd rather start with cheap stuff to learn with, later when its time to do my motorhome's roof I will use nicer panels.

 

[offgriddle]

From Santan .. phew .. at first glance it appeared as is you got them from ... Santana .. or maybe Santa .. or possibly ..

 

[namesgolden]

oh I'm not above doing a deal with satan to get entirely off-grid and a few thousand AH's of lifepo4

 

[offgriddle]

oh I'm not above doing a deal with satan to get entirely off-grid and a few thousand AH's of lifepo4

Well there's no question that Satan has some deals on solar infrastructure that are absolutely to die for, but he is non negotiable and his contract terms are binding.

 

[iceledoar]

Well, I made the jump and have made my first solar panel purchase!!!!! I have a pair of these coming Monday!

2- 210 Watt 12 Volt Battery Charger Solar Panel Off Grid RV Boat 420 watt total | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2- 210 Watt 12 Volt Battery Charger Solar Panel Off Grid RV Boat 420 watt total at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Bob142]

Well, I made the jump and have made my first solar panel purchase!!!!! I have a pair of these coming Monday!

Very nice! Keep us posted on how they work out!

 

[iceledoar]

Still waiting on the MPP to arrive from Ian. Hoping to have soon, praying that the customs gods bless this package and send it through to me.

This week is a week of hopeful expectation, as I have several parts coming.

Check List,

• MPP 1012LV-MS - Shipped but stuck in customs. fingers crossed.
• 2 of Renogy 30 30A MC4 Waterproof in-Line Holder w/Fuse, Black Arrived
• WindyNation 8 AWG 8 Gauge 1 Pair 80 Feet Black + 80 Feet Red Solar Panel Extension Cable Wire Solar Connectors (Variety of Lengths Available) Shipped, Panels will be located ~ 25 meters from the cabin. going to diy a ground mount using 2" galv sched 40. and unistrut.
• TEMCo Hammer Lug Crimper Tool 5 Year Warranty Shipped
• Nilight 6 Gang 5 Pin ON/Off Toggle Rocker Switch Panel with 12V-24V LED Digital Voltmeter 3.1A Dual USB Charger Cigarette Lighter Socket Overload Protection For RV Truck Boat SUV, 2 Years Warranty Arrived
• 2- 210 watt 24vdc panels, Arrivedhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T4P6YT7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

• Trolling motor battery out of bass boat;-) planning on a couple 6vdc golf cart batteries, in the near future.

Shopping list: ($500 left in the budget)

• QO breakers and enclosure (solar)
• Ground clamps
• Ground Wire
• Conduit
• Battery fusing
• 2x 6vdc Golf Cart Batteries
• Battery Box
• 2- sticks of 2" sched 40 galv conduit 10'
• 2 sticks Unistrut 8'
• 1 Rocky Ridge Top Cap... arriving today
• 4 Ubolts
• Star Washers
• 4- 2 1/2" x1/4" bolts wing nuts and washers.
• 2 bags of quickcrete.
• 64' of hand dug trench in the Ozark mountains, most expensive piece.
• Case of Beer.

I'm sure I missed something but, this is an off grid experiment/experience, so I'm sure we will get to add a few things to the list.

 

[iceledoar]

The MPP just arrived. Ordered a couple torjan 225 6vdc FLA's, from the local Battery Outfitters... getting them for less than $300 with tax. just about ready for the install, whoot whoot!!! ground mount is built,, just have to haul it all to the woods.

 

[iceledoar]

Update. Off gridin’ in the Ozarks.

 

[namesgolden]

Update. Off gridin’ in the Ozarks.

I think you uploaded the thumbnails for your pictures and not the actual pictures.

 

[iceledoar]

I think you uploaded the thumbnails for your pictures and not the actual pictures.

They were sent from my phone and seem to open fine for me, other than being sideways and upside down. May have a bit too much beer. Lol

 

[namesgolden]

They were sent from my phone and seem to open fine for me, other than being sideways and upside down. May have a bit too much beer. Lol

check out the file sizes, 40kb or so each. I'd expect good pictures to be 1-1.5mb each.

 

[iceledoar]

New pic of the system running

 

[Craig]

Nice job. It all starts with a few panels then grows from there. Have fun. Funny how the insides of our cabins all look the same god bless OSB

 

[iceledoar]

Nice job. It all starts with a few panels then grows from there. Have fun. Funny how the insides of our cabins all look the same god bless OSB
[/QUOTEHung some Sheetrock and cleaned up some.