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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3512
Registered: 8-27-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by El Camote
"Two SUN-SV-T-195 panels @ $ 347.10 each ($1.78/watt) $694.20
Two 6 volt golf cart from Sam's $173.60"
Maybe I missed something but isn't your panel to battery ratio a little heavy on the panel side? |
Yes.
However, I consider this better than the other way around.
Sunelectric minimum is two panels. I'm guessing that the two panels will throw off about 130 amps per day: 13.5amps each X 5 hours X two panels. Is
this about right?
My plan is ass-backwards, sort of. When everything is wired, I will turn each light/appliance on, one-at-a-time and measure the amps being used via
the TriMetric; plug those values into the design spreadsheet, estimating the hours/day of use and really know what the system should should have.
I will then put all this nonsense aside and go fishing.
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El Camote
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Above the clouds
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You're right in that it's preferable to be heavy on panels over batteries but seems you'll be producing a lot of power you won't have the capacity to
store. Since you've already sunk $2500. into the system, why not pop another $200 for a pair of batts. and double your capacity. As I understand,
it's a big no-no to mix batts of different ages so better to add them now than down the line.
Wouldn't the panels be producing more like 160 amps during a 5 hour day?
My thoughts are more anecdotal than math based from past experience of owning a solar home, but we had 450 watts of panels tied to 4 pairs of the
same type batts and only came up short on cloudy, winter days. If you have a genny back up, which we didn't, you should never have a problem.
You know your life will be much easier if SWMBO has enough juice to run her hair dryer and curling iron. 
Knowledge is good. - Emil Faber
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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dont trust the TriMetric
trash in trash out
it ONLY looks at voltage not battery condition
rule of thumb...one battery set for every 200w panel
too many panels an you'll boil to death the batteries
you NEED the correct balance
the bigger as in size the more water it holds and the longer it'll last compared to smaller units
lots of trojans failing here...those are batteries not the "other" trojans
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Von
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Posts: 961
Registered: 10-1-2006
Location: Poway-Rosarito
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Mood: getting ready!
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Wow! nice!
READY SET.....................
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3512
Registered: 8-27-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by El Camote
You're right in that it's preferable to be heavy on panels over batteries but seems you'll be producing a lot of power you won't have the capacity to
store. Since you've already sunk $2500. into the system, why not pop another $200 for a pair of batts. and double your capacity. As I understand,
it's a big no-no to mix batts of different ages so better to add them now than down the line. |
Exactly what I am planning on doing.
| Quote: | | You know your life will be much easier if SWMBO has enough juice to run her hair dryer and curling iron. |
heh
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larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1495
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Santiago
| Quote: | Originally posted by El Camote
"Two SUN-SV-T-195 panels @ $ 347.10 each ($1.78/watt) $694.20
Two 6 volt golf cart from Sam's $173.60"
Maybe I missed something but isn't your panel to battery ratio a little heavy on the panel side? |
Yes.
However, I consider this better than the other way around.
Sunelectric minimum is two panels. I'm guessing that the two panels will throw off about 130 amps per day: 13.5amps each X 5 hours X two panels. Is
this about right?
My plan is ass-backwards, sort of. When everything is wired, I will turn each light/appliance on, one-at-a-time and measure the amps being used via
the TriMetric; plug those values into the design spreadsheet, estimating the hours/day of use and really know what the system should should have.
I will then put all this nonsense aside and go fishing. |
actually his battery ratio to panels is pretty close to what Trojan recommends for their fla golf cart battereies. I know his are not Trojans, but I
don't know who manufactures his. Golf cart batteries are pretty similar so this info is probably pretty close. Here is a cut and paste from the Trojan
website:
http://www.trojanbattery.com/BatteryMaintenance/ChargerSelec...
Charger Selection
Most deep-cycle applications have some sort of charging system already installed for battery charging (e.g. solar panels, inverter, golf car charger,
alternator, etc.). However, there are still systems with deep-cycle batteries where an individual charger must be selected. The following will help in
making a proper selection.
There are many types of chargers available today. They are usually rated by their start rate, the rate in amperes that the charger will supply at the
beginning of the charge cycle. When selecting a charger, the charge rate should be between 10% and 13% of the battery's 20-hour AH capacity. For
example, a battery with a 20-hour capacity rating of 225 AH will use a charger rated between approximately 23 and 30 amps (for multiple battery
charging use the AH rating of the entire bank). Chargers with lower ratings can be used but the charging time will be increased.
Trojan recommends using a 3-stage charger. Also called "automatic", "smart" or "IEI" chargers, these chargers prolong battery life with their well
programmed charging profile. These chargers usually have three distinct charging stages: bulk, acceptance, and float.
You are right about water usage, but that is the nature of the beast, FLA batteries use water. If you are not going to be there to water them then
maybe some one else can do it. beach Bob?
As far as the AC out fusing, the inverter has its own built in 30a fuse on the AC out, adding more is getting a little carried away.
I think your best plan is like you said, put the system you've got together, watch it work, which it will, and then go fishing.
Larry
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