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04-25-2016, 12:39 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 57
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Renogy 200w Solar Install
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04-26-2016, 08:50 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 44
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Wow looks awesome good write up! I bought a couple of panels as well but I am trying to decide if I should put them on the roof or leave them portable. The thought of a big shady tree in my campsite has me worried...
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04-27-2016, 06:40 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 57
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I thought about keeping them portable as well but decided to permanently mount them on the roof. My reasoning is that if they were portable, they wouldn't be charging the batteries while on the road and while in storage. I opted for monochrystalline panels which are more efficient than polycrystalline so I hope the mono panels won't be as finicky with occasional shady time. The day I installed the system, it was overcast and my trees shadows were on the panels, they were still kicking out 50watts and 4-5 amps of current.
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05-07-2016, 06:12 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Boston
Posts: 29
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We have a 100A mounted on the roof, and a 50A that we can move around the campsite. This configuration has worked well for us even in shady New England.
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05-09-2016, 06:24 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: League City, Tx.
Posts: 55
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I had 200 watts at the lease setup as portable, but now went perm
Since I'm in SE Texas we have alot of sun , not too much shade
I had 2 panels at the lease on a water tote, but since I plan on doing alot more road trips I went perm on the roof with 400 watts. I had to adjust my charge controller to the specs that Crown Battery recommends for their 6V GC-2 batteries, so I upped the OVD (over voltage disconnect) from 13.8 to 14.5
I put a load on for a few hours using Fans, TV Stereo , 1000W inverter Charging laptops, radios, while I had the Array disconnected by opening my 40A Marine Breaker, then reconnected after 4 hours. Saw 20.5 Amp coming in @ 14.5 Volts. Came back later in the day and batts were floating at 13.8, So it works !!
__________________
2015 Cougar 327RES
2010 Ford SD SRW FX4 6.4 SWB, Deleted, Spartan Tuned
USN Veteran
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05-09-2016, 02:19 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 692
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Very nice
Quote:
Originally Posted by Texascoastalfish
Since I'm in SE Texas we have alot of sun , not too much shade
I had 2 panels at the lease on a water tote, but since I plan on doing alot more road trips I went perm on the roof with 400 watts. I had to adjust my charge controller to the specs that Crown Battery recommends for their 6V GC-2 batteries, so I upped the OVD (over voltage disconnect) from 13.8 to 14.5
I put a load on for a few hours using Fans, TV Stereo , 1000W inverter Charging laptops, radios, while I had the Array disconnected by opening my 40A Marine Breaker, then reconnected after 4 hours. Saw 20.5 Amp coming in @ 14.5 Volts. Came back later in the day and batts were floating at 13.8, So it works !!
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Very nice indeed, well done. I'm really thinking of dipping a toe in the solar for supplementing our generator use. I have the small 18W panel that keeps the unit charged during winter, however have been thinking of getting a Renogy portable suitcase, just not ready to go through a roof install yet! Again, looks great!
__________________
2011 F350 DRW 4X4
"The Beast"
2011 Cougar 325 SRX
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05-09-2016, 02:31 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 57
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Holy smokes, do I see 4 Optima blue tops in that pic? That's some serious reserve capacity!
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05-10-2016, 09:53 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Haymarket, VA
Posts: 382
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Three years ago I put in four 100 watt Renogy panels with their hardware, but sourced my charge controller, wiring and etc. elsewhere (went with Morningstar Tristar PWM) and four Trojan T-105s. The panels are great as is the hardware. We've traveled over 20k miles with the system and it's performed flawlessly. I'm certain you'll like it down the road!
__________________
'06 F350 Lariat turbo diesel dually, Curt 20k, Softopper, Aerosheld, coolant filter, air bags
'10 3665RE Hickory, wet bolts, Trimetric battery monitor, 4 100w panels & Morningstar TS-45, still tweeking!
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05-10-2016, 12:19 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WaltBennett
Three years ago I put in four 100 watt Renogy panels with their hardware, but sourced my charge controller, wiring and etc. elsewhere (went with Morningstar Tristar PWM) and four Trojan T-105s. The panels are great as is the hardware. We've traveled over 20k miles with the system and it's performed flawlessly. I'm certain you'll like it down the road!
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That is good to hear. I was impressed with the quality of all of the hardware, should generate "free" power for many years to come.
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05-10-2016, 02:20 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 692
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Reserve Capacity
Quote:
Originally Posted by Milocka
Holy smokes, do I see 4 Optima blue tops in that pic? That's some serious reserve capacity!
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Yes, this setup which we will work with this year has 480 RC. I will be very careful and only use 50-75%, then recharge. We are willing to go with less AH than the 6V series connection golf cart batteries, I just love the maintenance free AGM's and will give it a good workout this year, also happy with the cost of these batteries, delivered to our door at $700.00. I've been doing plenty of testing and very happy with how this setup runs the power use in the SRX, microwave, TV, Satellite dome, coffee maker, fans and other electronics.
__________________
2011 F350 DRW 4X4
"The Beast"
2011 Cougar 325 SRX
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05-12-2016, 05:56 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jje1960
Yes, this setup which we will work with this year has 480 RC. I will be very careful and only use 50-75%, then recharge. We are willing to go with less AH than the 6V series connection golf cart batteries, I just love the maintenance free AGM's and will give it a good workout this year, also happy with the cost of these batteries, delivered to our door at $700.00. I've been doing plenty of testing and very happy with how this setup runs the power use in the SRX, microwave, TV, Satellite dome, coffee maker, fans and other electronics.
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Well, I went with 2 6v golf batts, I should have 415RC according to the specs. They were 100/ea at Costco
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05-13-2016, 02:25 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 692
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6V
Quote:
Originally Posted by Milocka
Well, I went with 2 6v golf batts, I should have 415RC according to the specs. They were 100/ea at Costco
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Very nice! Keep them watered and you will be very happy.
__________________
2011 F350 DRW 4X4
"The Beast"
2011 Cougar 325 SRX
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02-28-2018, 09:28 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Rustburg
Posts: 30
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I was looking at the 100W system and adding another battery and then I would have 3. I have the residential refrigerator, it runs off the batteries when towing or will last up to 17.5hrs. But with not knowing enough about solar. I haven’t gone anywhere with it yet.
Thanks for any information
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