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diy solar

On my way to santan. How many panels?

73powerstroke

Solar Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 17, 2022
Messages
898
Location
Arizona
Going to pick up some$44 240w panels.
Goal run 5000btu ac unit in shop.
Draws 5.5amps at 535w 120v
Hf 2000w modified sine wave inverter seems to work best out of my 3 inverters. Probably draws 60amps max under ac load. I was thinking of 4 to 6 panels. I'm sure I'll need a cc that can deliver over 50 amps to batteries. So my morningstar ps-mppt-25m is out. I'm leaving the house now. I'll check back later. Hope I'm not making more mistakes lol

 
5 minutes away from santan I'm not sure which panels would be better the snail trail the cracked vinyl or for $30 more there's some 250 W Canadian solar panels with the label still intact
 
They talked me into 2 panels a epever 40a and cables and stuff for just under 300
 

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I'll have it setup tomorrow and full review on one of my youtube channels. So watch out.
I wanted to get 4 to 6 panels at but they suggested buy 2 and the 40amp cc. They were out of larger charge controllers. And I decided to just get what they suggested. So I got 25 feet of pv wire, more 6ga wire to battery bank. And a pack mc4 pairs.
I shined my streamlight stringer 620 lumen work light on it and saw like 15v on my fluke meter!

The panels are cracked to fricken hell on the back for sure. But everything else looks pretty good.
It was funny. The guy tells me the cracked display one was a worst case scenario ?. Mine were same if not worse. They appear to be Trina panels.
 

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2000w modified sine wave inverter seems to work best
I would get a pure sine. I’ve burned out stuff on modified sine wave. Sure it can work for a while but if money is an object spend more and cost yourself less.

You should also get 2 more panels for your setup.

Seal the backside with this. Use a roller not a brush. Two coats follow can label AAEB6B4D-C5A0-4892-9A17-F8DB7AEAA37B.jpeg
 
I would get a pure sine. I’ve burned out stuff on modified sine wave. Sure it can work for a while but if money is an object spend more and cost yourself less.

You should also get 2 more panels for your setup.

Seal the backside with this. Use a roller not a brush. Two coats follow can label View attachment 99466
I have a pure sine. The ac unit makes odd noises with it.
Really the charge controller is the biggest problem. How can I get the amps I need to the inverter without extra headaches
 
Welding cable…
No, I mean I don't have a big enough charge controller. I want the solar to power the inverter and not drain the batteries. I have 2ga to inverter. I am fine there. I might get improved using 00/2 but it's not worth it at this time I can't get the power from the solar I want to the inverter. Maybe I just haven't got a clue lol
 
I would get a pure sine. I’ve burned out stuff on modified sine wave. Sure it can work for a while but if money is an object spend more and cost yourself less.

You should also get 2 more panels for your setup.

Seal the backside with this. Use a roller not a brush. Two coats follow can label View attachment 99466
I cant decide , but it says they have only 4 panels left. I can call them in the morning and see about getting them. I don't know if I should, or just wait and see what else they have later on. I suspect the snail trail panels aren't good compared to these. I was getting decent output today
 
This right here alone will power any thing I want. So figuring out the rest is next lol. Honestly I still like the 100w panels but these are so cheap
 
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