Im super new to solar power and just cant quite wrap my mind around all the intricacies of it. Ive watched videos and researched write ups on solar but still am lost. For ex:
-do i want an MPPT or PWM charge controller?
-are these 4 amorphous solar panels left at camp by former owner worth using or should i buy all mono crystalline panels? Id hate to junk them because they are new in box.
-Someone asked me the million dollar question recently, “how much power do you need?” Well I could throw a dart at a board with amps, watts and volts and could be closer to an accurate answer. Lol. Truth is I dont know but Id say some lights at night, a fridge through the day (prob weekends only as we might shit it off when bot there) a vacuum cleaner at times, microwave on occasion, but at least I know ill prob need the generator to make toast in morning...
-and several other questions.
Heres what i have so far:
Cabin in woods with fairly open view of South but roof angles toward east and west
4 -25 watt amorphous panels (free)
6 -6 volt gc2 duracell lead/acid deep cycle batteries from Sams Club
An existing generator plug that enters on side of cabin and feeds a panel box inside.
Panel box with 8 breakers (120) that feed to outlets, lights and 15 cu foot fridge freezer within cabin.
The cabin is completely off grid and has no sewage or water (yet) but id like to hook up a pump of sorts to run water in from 275 gallon ibc tank that will sit 6 feet high on a frame so gravity will provide some pressure.
My hope is that I can connect the battery bank as 12v source to an inverter and then to the panel box so that Ill have option to use battery bank to power camp and so i wont have to use generator as often.
Although I think I can grasp the basics Of how solar works, Im clueless in how many of this and how much power of that, that ill need.
Charge controllers: size and type??
Charge regulators ??
More panels Im sure will be needed but what type and how many watts will be sufficient?
Cabling: what gauge and how long can I go with a particular gauge wire.
Im not adverse to spending some
$$ on project but Im not independently wealthy either.
I sort of need my hand held here, if anyone is willing to do this. Lol. Here is a few pics of the camp as well as specs on my six 6 volt batteries (intend to use for 12v)
Specifications
Hopefully i can post these but if not its a 30x16 foot footprint with metal roof.
I thank you in advance for any “hand holding” you folks are willing to do for me. Im sure i left out some ?’s I should be asking as well.
-do i want an MPPT or PWM charge controller?
-are these 4 amorphous solar panels left at camp by former owner worth using or should i buy all mono crystalline panels? Id hate to junk them because they are new in box.
-Someone asked me the million dollar question recently, “how much power do you need?” Well I could throw a dart at a board with amps, watts and volts and could be closer to an accurate answer. Lol. Truth is I dont know but Id say some lights at night, a fridge through the day (prob weekends only as we might shit it off when bot there) a vacuum cleaner at times, microwave on occasion, but at least I know ill prob need the generator to make toast in morning...
-and several other questions.
Heres what i have so far:
Cabin in woods with fairly open view of South but roof angles toward east and west
4 -25 watt amorphous panels (free)
6 -6 volt gc2 duracell lead/acid deep cycle batteries from Sams Club
An existing generator plug that enters on side of cabin and feeds a panel box inside.
Panel box with 8 breakers (120) that feed to outlets, lights and 15 cu foot fridge freezer within cabin.
The cabin is completely off grid and has no sewage or water (yet) but id like to hook up a pump of sorts to run water in from 275 gallon ibc tank that will sit 6 feet high on a frame so gravity will provide some pressure.
My hope is that I can connect the battery bank as 12v source to an inverter and then to the panel box so that Ill have option to use battery bank to power camp and so i wont have to use generator as often.
Although I think I can grasp the basics Of how solar works, Im clueless in how many of this and how much power of that, that ill need.
Charge controllers: size and type??
Charge regulators ??
More panels Im sure will be needed but what type and how many watts will be sufficient?
Cabling: what gauge and how long can I go with a particular gauge wire.
Im not adverse to spending some
$$ on project but Im not independently wealthy either.
I sort of need my hand held here, if anyone is willing to do this. Lol. Here is a few pics of the camp as well as specs on my six 6 volt batteries (intend to use for 12v)
Specifications
- 20 amp hour rate:215
- 5 amp hour rate:157
- 6 amp hour rate:156
- Battery Electrolyte Composition:Acid
- Battery End Type:Top Post
- Battery Purpose:Deep Cycle
- BCI Group Size:GC2
- Contents:ONE EACH
- Freight Class:65
- Minutes at 25 amps:395
- Minutes at 75 amps:105
- Terminal Type:DIN
- Volts:6
Hopefully i can post these but if not its a 30x16 foot footprint with metal roof.
I thank you in advance for any “hand holding” you folks are willing to do for me. Im sure i left out some ?’s I should be asking as well.