Hi all, I’m here to learn and appreciate all ideas and recommendations.
My parents gave me our family beach house in Mexico about 6 years ago and I have been putting off updating the old “last century” 12V system, but it is time, even though it will only be used twice a year, maybe 4 weeks out of the year total. My wife and I still work, hopefully we will be able to stay longer soon!
Anyways the next trip down will be in April 2022 and hopefully I’ll have what I need by then. I know roughly what I want, just not sure about the best way to get there.
We don’t have anything major, one energy efficient refrigerator, one TV, lights, fans, coffee pot and will use a microwave and blow dryer now and then. I also have large Honda generator for back up.
I have decided to go with a 24V system capable of handling maybe up to 2000W of solar panels, I will start with 1000W of new panels and add panels as required.
I have 4 new Deka GC15’s from my last trip and will add 4 more this trip. After these 8 are used up I plan to upgrade to larger Rolls L16 batteries as required.
I would like to go with the simplicity and relatively inexpensive hybrid inverter, just not sure if it will last in the heat and humidity that come during the summer down there?
I have been looking at the MPP Solar LV2424 and the Midnight Solar MN3024DIY
I’m just winging it at this point, I’m not totally sure if either of these can handle up to 2000W of panels?
I’m planning on new solar panel wiring also and will need to figure the right gage, I’m guessing at this point 10G photovoltaic wire, the run length is around 30’
The existing battery cables should be fine I believe, I’ll get new wire from the batteries to the inverter and I imagine the wire to the breaker box will be ok but I didn’t really check it and not sure what gage it should be yet. I also will make sure to have the proper breakers for the positive line from the batteries and panels.
I have a lot to learn and I’m not against separate inverter/charger especially ones with a track record of longevity.
I’m not sure the best places to buy most of the stuff especially the solar panels for good prices.
The only thing I would like to save from the old 12V system is 4 - 125W panels that are in great working order, some one told me I should be able to rewire them and run them into the old controller and they should work with the new system??? The old controller is a Xantrex if that helps.
My parents gave me our family beach house in Mexico about 6 years ago and I have been putting off updating the old “last century” 12V system, but it is time, even though it will only be used twice a year, maybe 4 weeks out of the year total. My wife and I still work, hopefully we will be able to stay longer soon!
Anyways the next trip down will be in April 2022 and hopefully I’ll have what I need by then. I know roughly what I want, just not sure about the best way to get there.
We don’t have anything major, one energy efficient refrigerator, one TV, lights, fans, coffee pot and will use a microwave and blow dryer now and then. I also have large Honda generator for back up.
I have decided to go with a 24V system capable of handling maybe up to 2000W of solar panels, I will start with 1000W of new panels and add panels as required.
I have 4 new Deka GC15’s from my last trip and will add 4 more this trip. After these 8 are used up I plan to upgrade to larger Rolls L16 batteries as required.
I would like to go with the simplicity and relatively inexpensive hybrid inverter, just not sure if it will last in the heat and humidity that come during the summer down there?
I have been looking at the MPP Solar LV2424 and the Midnight Solar MN3024DIY
I’m just winging it at this point, I’m not totally sure if either of these can handle up to 2000W of panels?
I’m planning on new solar panel wiring also and will need to figure the right gage, I’m guessing at this point 10G photovoltaic wire, the run length is around 30’
The existing battery cables should be fine I believe, I’ll get new wire from the batteries to the inverter and I imagine the wire to the breaker box will be ok but I didn’t really check it and not sure what gage it should be yet. I also will make sure to have the proper breakers for the positive line from the batteries and panels.
I have a lot to learn and I’m not against separate inverter/charger especially ones with a track record of longevity.
I’m not sure the best places to buy most of the stuff especially the solar panels for good prices.
The only thing I would like to save from the old 12V system is 4 - 125W panels that are in great working order, some one told me I should be able to rewire them and run them into the old controller and they should work with the new system??? The old controller is a Xantrex if that helps.
