Hello folks, was hoping for some "cut to the chase" advice here. I have a 2012 Hawk that I've been living with two AGM batteries from Cabella's until now. The batteries are shot and the first place I notice it is in my refrigerator, the last place you want issues with. So I'm starting over here, a do over so to speak. While I do have a solar plug on the roof, I have never had a panel or controller. I simply relied on the batteries, and quite honestly never took good care of them. The were group 30 batteries and I have two sitting side by side in the compartment provided by FWC.
For load, I have a fantastic fan, an ARB refrigerator, a propex furnace, std florescent lights, and a small water pump for the sink. The truck is a 2012 Ford F-250.
What I would like to do is utilize the existing space where the batteries were, and....
Purchase a new battery(s)
Get a charge controller
Get a solar panel
The goal here is to install a sufficient system, not underkill or no over. The charge controller via solar will be my primary means of charging the battery(s) as I have no shore power. I simply plug in an intelligent charger to each battery after disconnecting them from one another (read: hassle).
I've looked into the Renogy Panel from Amazon shipped to the door for $149.00 and the Morningstar TrackStar 15a for $231.00 (spendy)
I have no clue given my load if I need two batteries again or will one do the trick, and if so which batteries are recommended.
I live in Bozeman MT, and get plenty of sunshine and usually travel around the west exclusively.
The reason I looked at Renogy is that it is cheap. The reason I looked at Morningstar is that it offers intelligent charging that is supposedly good for the battery's life, health, and welfare.
So, a system that is just enough for my needs that I'm not throwing good money away that could be spent on Hopzone IPA!!
For load, I have a fantastic fan, an ARB refrigerator, a propex furnace, std florescent lights, and a small water pump for the sink. The truck is a 2012 Ford F-250.
What I would like to do is utilize the existing space where the batteries were, and....
Purchase a new battery(s)
Get a charge controller
Get a solar panel
The goal here is to install a sufficient system, not underkill or no over. The charge controller via solar will be my primary means of charging the battery(s) as I have no shore power. I simply plug in an intelligent charger to each battery after disconnecting them from one another (read: hassle).
I've looked into the Renogy Panel from Amazon shipped to the door for $149.00 and the Morningstar TrackStar 15a for $231.00 (spendy)
I have no clue given my load if I need two batteries again or will one do the trick, and if so which batteries are recommended.
I live in Bozeman MT, and get plenty of sunshine and usually travel around the west exclusively.
The reason I looked at Renogy is that it is cheap. The reason I looked at Morningstar is that it offers intelligent charging that is supposedly good for the battery's life, health, and welfare.
So, a system that is just enough for my needs that I'm not throwing good money away that could be spent on Hopzone IPA!!