Small system

[Goatfarmer]

so my dad is looking to set up a very small system with my extra 290 watt panel
This is what he has in his cart, and his budget is tight. He's only trying to use this system for a month or two until my set up is complete. To me, this seems like it would work just fine. The charge controller is super cheap but most reviews said it does the job, especially for a small set up. I guess that's really my main concern, just making sure this would be able to be set up together with the panel. I'm pretty sure yes, just wanted a second opinion.

 

[Delmar]

That inverter has a modified sine wave and whatever is powered will not be happy. Spend the few extra dollars and get the pure sine version. You can repurpose after your setup is complete.

 

[mikefitz]

. I'm pretty sure yes, just wanted a second opinion.

The controller is PWM type and may not be ideal for your panel, producing much less power than panel rating.
The inverter may/will produce less than the claimed 750 watts and the cables shown are not suitable the 70 amps the inverter will take, (if by some chance it actually produces 750 watts).
Panel specification, V max power, I max power, would be useful.

 

[Goatfarmer]

Thank you! I kept saying pure sine wave
They always stick the modified ones right in the middle of the listings. His budget is tight but he really just needs his fan and phone/light

Would this one be appropriate. It says it's a pure sine wave inverter

 

[Delmar]

If you truly want to go cheap to only power a fan, [assume charge a cell] phone and light, keep the system 12V and drop the inverter. Way more efficient too.

My gateway drug 12V office system has been running for years. What battery are you using?

 

[Rednecktek]

290w panel? On a PWM controller? Please don't. PWM only puts out the Isc of the panel at battery voltage, so look at the Isc on the panel and multiply by 14 and that's all the wattage you can get.

Sadly the solar paywall is real and the best value proper MPPT controller that has a chance of using that panel is the ollder metal box PowMr which I hear are about $70 nowadays.

Much like buying a car, solar has a minimum budget requirement.

 

[Goatfarmer]

I get it
I'll have to help him buy the charger
No biggie
Is this what you're referring to?
If so what would he possible be pulling with that panel?
I corrected the I inverter to a 500watt pure sine

 

[Goatfarmer]

If you truly want to go cheap to only power a fan, [assume charge a cell] phone and light, keep the system 12V and drop the inverter. Way more efficient too.

My gateway drug 12V office system has been running for years. What battery are you using?

Would you mind giving me the dummy break down of this set up?

 

[Goatfarmer]

so my dad is looking to set up a very small system with my extra 290 watt panel
This is what he has in his cart, and his budget is tight. He's only trying to use this system for a month or two until my set up is complete. To me, this seems like it would work just fine. The charge controller is super cheap but most reviews said it does the job, especially for a small set up. I guess that's really my main concern, just making sure this would be able to be set up together with the panel. I'm pretty sure yes, just wanted a second opinion.

 

[Backyard]

You might get 100 watts out of that panel running it with a PWM charger. If you really want to stay with a cheap PWM charger then find an 18V panel. Would likely work a little better

But as mentioned above, ditch the inverter and run items that can plug into 12V directly. Much more efficient and cheaper. There are plenty of accessories that plug into "cigarette" lighter sockets in vehicles you can use that doesn't need an inverter

 

[Goatfarmer]

You might get 100 watts out of that panel running it with a PWM charger. If you really want to stay with a cheap PWM charger then find an 18V panel. Would likely work a little better

But as mentioned above, ditch the inverter and run items that can plug into 12V directly. Much more efficient and cheaper. There are plenty of accessories that plug into "cigarette" lighter sockets in vehicles you can use that doesn't need an inverter

Ok so if he ditched the inverter what does the solar panel get wired into
Just like a 12v power block of some type?

I think he wants to switch to a different controller rather than buy all new stuff
I'm not sure what would be best for him lol just trying to help

He is staying in a travel trailer on my lot with no power right now other than when I run the generator

 

[Backyard]

Ok so if he ditched the inverter what does the solar panel get wired into
Just like a 12v power block of some type?

I think he wants to switch to a different controller rather than buy all new stuff
I'm not sure what would be best for him lol just trying to help

He is staying in a travel trailer on my lot with no power right now other than when I run the generator

You still need a solar charge controller to manage the charging of the battery.

From the battery you connect the 12V devices with no need to use any inverter

 

[Rednecktek]

Panel -> controller -> battery
Battery -> Fuse block -> 12v loads
Battery -> 60a fuse -> 500w inverter -> 120v loads.

That's the SCC I'm thinking of. I've got two of them running strong nearly 7 years now. You'll pretty much max it out with 2 of those panels on a 12v system which is about perfect.