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Topic ClosedSolar panel recommendations

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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Solar panel recommendations
    Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 6:12pm
Moderator, can you set up a forum for engineers to argue about technical details?  All it seems to be doing here is confusing those who haven't already tuned them out.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 6:05pm
Originally posted by WillThrill

A simpler approach is to use jumper cables, but this is not as healthy for deep cycle batteries, which are designed to be charged in a slow, controller manner, which jumper cables absolutely cannot do.  But in a pinch, they will work as well.
Not true. The charger on your tow vehicle is not "uncontrolled". It will provide a bulk charge relatively quickly. It won't hurt so-called "deep cycle" batteries. We have numerous solar sites with large deep cycle batteries, and the ones with big enough solar cells will charge up (during bulk charge) in less than a couple hours. Some of them charge with as much as 40 amps of charge current.

The bulk/absorb/float voltage levels between wet SLA, gel SLA, and AGM SLA batteries is not all that different.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 3:51pm
Originally posted by JET

Thanks everyone for the input. Will...could you direct me to the thread you are referring to about using the charge controller, which is something I am totally unfamiliar with.

John

This is the link to that thread, which is still 'active'.  The other link I posted earlier is to a thread on how to connect a 100 watt solar panel to your Pod's battery, particularly if you have a Zamp port.

Basically, all you do is run a set of inexpensive battery clamps from your tow vehicle to a charge controller (between 10 and 30 amps) and then run another line to the Pod's battery from the charge controller either with another set of battery clamps or by plugging into your Pod's Zamp port if it has one.  The gauge wire needed depends on both the amperage of the charge controller and the length of the wire, but if each length is no more than 10 ft., 16 or 18 gauge wire is fine (my 10 amp charge controller came with sufficient lengths of 18 gauge wire).  Then you just start the car and let the charge controller gently and safely charge up your Pod's battery.

A simpler approach is to use jumper cables, but this is not as healthy for deep cycle batteries, which are designed to be charged in a slow, controller manner, which jumper cables absolutely cannot do.  But in a pinch, they will work as well.
"Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 3:11pm
Originally posted by JET

Thanks everyone for the input. Will...could you direct me to the thread you are referring to about using the charge controller, which is something I am totally unfamiliar with.

John

Scroll back up to his response, where it says "this thread' it's a link.


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 3:08pm
Originally posted by voisj

Jet,
This 100 amp system from Renogy is a deal and a good place to start if your elec usage is low and there is sun. Mine recharges my batteries fully every day in the summer, not so much in the winter.
 If you really plan for a week or two off grid You may need more like 200 watt system and /or a small inverter/generator that can be used to charge the batteries. or like Will said, use your tow vehicle to charge.
rgds John

Little oops there, '100w' system..Nice though. PWM controller that's 30a. Room to add another panel (or 2) with changing the PWM controller.


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 5:15pm
Originally posted by john in idaho

They make Zamp solar panels right over the mountain from you in Bend.  I understand they have sales from time to time.

Friends don't let friends buy zamp...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 11:40am
Thanks everyone for the input. Will...could you direct me to the thread you are referring to about using the charge controller, which is something I am totally unfamiliar with.

John
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 9:55am

Jet,
This 100 amp system (edit. 100watt)from Renogy is a deal and a good place to start if your elec usage is low and there is sun. Mine recharges my batteries fully every day in the summer, not so much in the winter.
 If you really plan for a week or two off grid You may need more like 200 watt system and /or a small inverter/generator that can be used to charge the batteries. or like Will said, use your tow vehicle to charge.
rgds John

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 9:52am
They make Zamp solar panels right over the mountain from you in Bend.  I understand they have sales from time to time.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 8:57am
https://www.solarblvd.com/products/solar-cynergy-160-watt-foldable-12-volt-solar-panel-2/
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