steve whiteside
Senior Member
Gents,
Thanks for your help on configuring my system. Ive got it in and it is working. I used 4 ea 100watt NewPowa flexible panels that I bought off of amazon. I bought two of the Lion Energy 1300whr batteries from Costco. I directly mounted the panels to my roof. I know that there were plenty of opinions from everyone but at the end of the day I want less wind drag. Also, when I use my racks I want them for my surfboard. The rest of the time I want no racks. Today was full sun in San Diego. I woke up and the sun was barely over the horizon. I had about 32 watts flowing. By noon it was at 230 watts and at 3pm it was 190 watts. 5pm it was at 70watts. The air temps were typical for this time of year. 45F when I woke up and 70F through the hottest part of the day.
So, anyway Im pretty happy and I like how it is pumping power with no action on my part. Two things I wish were better. 1) the Victron battery monitor that was recommended is having a tough time staying in the hole I cut. I think I mounted the plastic mount correctly but the gauge keeps popping out the back, and falling into the cupboard. 2) the wiring on the roof is not that clean. I have four panels in parallel - all of those wires getting routed around the roof, not crossing any panels, and then going into the single FWC connector makes more of a mess than I like. I have a small pelican box I considered for a Jbox but still could not get all of the wires routed into that box.
I took ri-f's suggestion and have held off on a DC o DC charger from my truck. It may be that I have enough solar in my situation that I dont need DC from my truck. If so I can add that later.
I put installed a 1500 inverter as well as a 500watt inverter so that I can run my 120v appliances as efficiently as I can. I used my drip coffee maker this morning pulling 1KW and had no issues.
Anyway, thanks again for your help.
Steve
Thanks for your help on configuring my system. Ive got it in and it is working. I used 4 ea 100watt NewPowa flexible panels that I bought off of amazon. I bought two of the Lion Energy 1300whr batteries from Costco. I directly mounted the panels to my roof. I know that there were plenty of opinions from everyone but at the end of the day I want less wind drag. Also, when I use my racks I want them for my surfboard. The rest of the time I want no racks. Today was full sun in San Diego. I woke up and the sun was barely over the horizon. I had about 32 watts flowing. By noon it was at 230 watts and at 3pm it was 190 watts. 5pm it was at 70watts. The air temps were typical for this time of year. 45F when I woke up and 70F through the hottest part of the day.
So, anyway Im pretty happy and I like how it is pumping power with no action on my part. Two things I wish were better. 1) the Victron battery monitor that was recommended is having a tough time staying in the hole I cut. I think I mounted the plastic mount correctly but the gauge keeps popping out the back, and falling into the cupboard. 2) the wiring on the roof is not that clean. I have four panels in parallel - all of those wires getting routed around the roof, not crossing any panels, and then going into the single FWC connector makes more of a mess than I like. I have a small pelican box I considered for a Jbox but still could not get all of the wires routed into that box.
I took ri-f's suggestion and have held off on a DC o DC charger from my truck. It may be that I have enough solar in my situation that I dont need DC from my truck. If so I can add that later.
I put installed a 1500 inverter as well as a 500watt inverter so that I can run my 120v appliances as efficiently as I can. I used my drip coffee maker this morning pulling 1KW and had no issues.
Anyway, thanks again for your help.
Steve