mafemm5109
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2020
- Messages
- 21
I just bought a 24 ft motorhome to live in, which will require a solar system to keep the electricity flowing during working hours, especially since I plan to be doing mostly boondocking. My idea is not to be dependent on grid, but work from anywhere in the US where there is Cellular coverage.
I live in Washington State and will probably stick around until I complete all modifications and have to be reporting back to the office and as you can imagine, the sun availability is one of the worst in the US
I have decided on a 24V system and have established that I will need ~ avg 3000 W - 4000 W max daily (computer, Monitors, furnace fan, lights, water pump and fridge/freezer (low consumption but not dual fuel) . I can definitely live with less but would like to build the system for this capacity and with a bit of margin due to weather conditions.
The RV currently has a 2000 W generator and inverter/charger (not Pure sine wave, unfortunately - Xantrex 459 20), but would like to avoid using the generator as much as possible. Unfortunately, the batteries are (2) lead-acid marine, but not sure yet the Ah, as I just picked it up and left in storage until I am able to make all the changes needed.
System Panels - I have decided to install (4) Trina 400W panels, since the sun in this area is limited - https://store.santansolar.com/product/trina-400w/
Inverter-charger-converter - I like the all-in-one system, Probably the Growatt 3000
https://watts247.com/product/spf-3000tl-lvm-24p/?wpam_id=3
Initially, I thought of installing (2) BN tracer chargers for a 200 Ah battery bank. The reason for (2) chargers was the VOc for these panels (51 V), connecting (2) panels per charger.
For the inverter, I had not made a selection yet, but would have to be ~3000W Pure sine wave.
Batteries: I am considering the BigBattery option, whether (2) 12V - 170Ah (2175 Wh/battery) link below (4300 Wh).
bigbattery.com/product/24v-li-ion-battery-box-free-shipping/
The Powerball would be nice, but unfortunately it is too heavy, at 192 Lbs ($2000 with shipping)
Also from this distributor is a Li-on battery, similar in price and energy capacity (2) for a 24V system, and much lighter, but the life (cycles) not as good.
https://bigbattery.com/product/24v-li-ion-battery-box-free-shipping/
My question is,
Option 1: Install (2) panels to each Growatt/MPP All-in-one system and connect the output of one to the input of the other, or connect them to make a 6000W unit
Option 2: Connect (1) set of (2) panels to the a bus bar to the battery block thru a BN tracer. Connect the other (2) panels to (1) Growatt all-in-one inverter/charger, and to the bus bar for the battery. This one is less expensive, simpler and the "No-load power" would be less.
Option 3: Connect (2) panels in series to a set of (2) panels in parallel, to lower the Voc, but keep the W under 2,000W with a fuse after each set in parallel directly to the Growatt 3000 and then to the battery.
Is this an overkill? Panels are inexpensive, so I though (4) would be better to keep the batteries charged in the Pacific NW
If you have any good ideas/modifications, they would be welcome and greatly appreciated!
Cheers
I live in Washington State and will probably stick around until I complete all modifications and have to be reporting back to the office and as you can imagine, the sun availability is one of the worst in the US
I have decided on a 24V system and have established that I will need ~ avg 3000 W - 4000 W max daily (computer, Monitors, furnace fan, lights, water pump and fridge/freezer (low consumption but not dual fuel) . I can definitely live with less but would like to build the system for this capacity and with a bit of margin due to weather conditions.
The RV currently has a 2000 W generator and inverter/charger (not Pure sine wave, unfortunately - Xantrex 459 20), but would like to avoid using the generator as much as possible. Unfortunately, the batteries are (2) lead-acid marine, but not sure yet the Ah, as I just picked it up and left in storage until I am able to make all the changes needed.
System Panels - I have decided to install (4) Trina 400W panels, since the sun in this area is limited - https://store.santansolar.com/product/trina-400w/
Inverter-charger-converter - I like the all-in-one system, Probably the Growatt 3000
https://watts247.com/product/spf-3000tl-lvm-24p/?wpam_id=3
Initially, I thought of installing (2) BN tracer chargers for a 200 Ah battery bank. The reason for (2) chargers was the VOc for these panels (51 V), connecting (2) panels per charger.
For the inverter, I had not made a selection yet, but would have to be ~3000W Pure sine wave.
Batteries: I am considering the BigBattery option, whether (2) 12V - 170Ah (2175 Wh/battery) link below (4300 Wh).
bigbattery.com/product/24v-li-ion-battery-box-free-shipping/
The Powerball would be nice, but unfortunately it is too heavy, at 192 Lbs ($2000 with shipping)
Also from this distributor is a Li-on battery, similar in price and energy capacity (2) for a 24V system, and much lighter, but the life (cycles) not as good.
https://bigbattery.com/product/24v-li-ion-battery-box-free-shipping/
My question is,
Option 1: Install (2) panels to each Growatt/MPP All-in-one system and connect the output of one to the input of the other, or connect them to make a 6000W unit
Option 2: Connect (1) set of (2) panels to the a bus bar to the battery block thru a BN tracer. Connect the other (2) panels to (1) Growatt all-in-one inverter/charger, and to the bus bar for the battery. This one is less expensive, simpler and the "No-load power" would be less.
Option 3: Connect (2) panels in series to a set of (2) panels in parallel, to lower the Voc, but keep the W under 2,000W with a fuse after each set in parallel directly to the Growatt 3000 and then to the battery.
Is this an overkill? Panels are inexpensive, so I though (4) would be better to keep the batteries charged in the Pacific NW
If you have any good ideas/modifications, they would be welcome and greatly appreciated!
Cheers
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