A lot was accomplished in the solar installation. The old 80 watt Kyocera panel was moved. The five new 130 watt Kyocera panels were mounted in a 60 volt solar array. The remaining two AGM batteries were installed. Most of the wiring of the Midnight E panel was finished. The old Solar Commander charge controller was moved. The MX-60 MPPT Charge Controller was installed and is functioning.
The 12 volt part of the solar installation is finished. All that remains to be done is to install the Outback model VFX2812 sine wave 2800 watt inverter/charger, the Mate 2 system controller, disconnect the old converter and make the connections to the original 12 volt/120 volt center. Hopefully this can all be accomplished next Monday.
The rig now has 730 watts of solar panels and over 600 amp hours of AGM battery storage. I think I have a new name for the rig, "Max Power", Max for short. Since the rig had already been modified with a Banks Power system and has those decals on the fenders and Homer Simpson changed his name to Max Power in one of the Simpsons episodes and I can identify with Homer, I think the new name is appropriate.
5 comments:
Hi Gary - Looking forward to solar panel photos - PLEASE keep in mind those batteries are fragile - do not draw them down too far. I would limit myself to no more than 33% draw (25% would be better). I have known many people that have destroyed their batteries in short order. ;-(
John Calypso
Hey - Just saw your solar array pictures - wow! hard to believe they could get all that power on the roof.
Will you be able to hike them up off the deck to get a better angle when you are parked?
Very cool my friend!
John
Juan
Did you scroll down to see the photos? Or did you want a close up?
John
Due to the fact that the panels are securely attached with 6 brackets each and the wiring is secured, they could not be easily moved. I'm hoping that 730 watts will be enough to generate the power I need. If not I can run the engine and charge the batteries with the alternator. Or I could go on a hike or read a book.
Hi Gary - Looking good amigo! I think a lot of this will be sorted out as you use the system; as you suggest.
If you find yourself parked for a spell (like in sunny Mexico or Colorado ;-) You might want to fabricate a bracket(s) where you could tilt up the panels - because of the layout of their placement on the roof - you would have to do several schemes - even if you could just get a few up depending on your location and direction to the sun. Straight up to the sky in the winter where the sun is low on the horizon, and when you may need the most power, may not be enough stored watts. My guess is you will find a way to hike some of those panels up before it is all said and done - GREAT setup though. I ran a fifth wheel on 4- 75 watt panels and a couple of 40 watt Arcos, even in the dead of winter they supplied enough power. That was about half the power you have. Keep us informed on how they are working out.
John
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