There's another thread for individuals to document their setups, so to keep the conversation separate from my specific (contemplated) setup I am starting yet another thread. This thread will start at the planning stage (where I'm at now) and will progress through the entire installation and follow up with performance feedback.
As you read this post and subsequent posts from me on this topic, please understand that I desire your input! Negative, positive, questions--it all makes me think. I understand that in social media environments there are those that just want affirmation of their decisions, but that's not me. I readily acknowledge I don't know it all and, from long experience, know that what I don't know comes back to haunt me. So ***please*** feel free to chime in!
What I've done so far is create a picture of my 315's roof in Photoshop scaled 3:1. I've "installed" 8 different panel configurations, from the HQST 100 Watt Poly (the panel costs .79 per watt since it costs $78.99 on Amazon) to Zamp Solar's outrageous $5/watt Obsidian 100W panel. Others I've "installed" are Zamp's 115 Watt panel ($3.48/watt), Zamp's 170 watt panel ($2.90/watt), Solarland's 175watt Silver Poly ($1.85/watt), HQST's 150 watt Poly (.93/watt) and Hightec Solar's 180 and 200 watt panels, .93/watt and .92/watt respectively.
Below are two examples I'm seriously considering. The one on the left is the HQST 100 Watt Polys in six series pairs. The one on the right is Hightec's 200 watt panels in parallel. (Red lines are series connections, green are parallel.)
I especially like the 3" clearance provided by Hightec's mount clips. I haven't looked at their tilting system. The only place I'd use tilt is probably when the camper is in my backyard. I figure I can run the camper's dehumidifier 24/7 for free instead of paying Gulf Power. (For those that don't know, I already have a complete inverter system installed with four 100aH Battle Born batteries.)
I'm very limited on space so I've got room for one, and only one, charge controller. I've researched controllers and based on the equation ((Total System Wattage*90%)/Battery Voltage)=Charge Controller Amperage Rating I'm currently planning on no more than a 1200 watt system. (1200W*.9)/12V=90A The controller being considered is a Victron SmartSolar 150/100. I want the controller's bluetooth capability--the app for the Victron BMV-712 is awesome and I expect the SmartSolar's to be similar. I also want the VE.Bus capability as it will tie into my system's CCGX (the Victron color controller).
The junction box being considered is AMSolar's C-Box. I really like how it's configured and that I can connect up to a 2ga wire from the box to the charge controller. (I plan on 4 ga, but nice to know I can go 2ga if I change my mind.)
For the runs from the panels themselves to the C-Box I am considering using AMSolar's custom 10ga wires. Pricey, but wire quality is not the place to cut costs in a solar installation.
That's it for now. Again, feel free to chime in. TIA!
-Howard
As you read this post and subsequent posts from me on this topic, please understand that I desire your input! Negative, positive, questions--it all makes me think. I understand that in social media environments there are those that just want affirmation of their decisions, but that's not me. I readily acknowledge I don't know it all and, from long experience, know that what I don't know comes back to haunt me. So ***please*** feel free to chime in!
What I've done so far is create a picture of my 315's roof in Photoshop scaled 3:1. I've "installed" 8 different panel configurations, from the HQST 100 Watt Poly (the panel costs .79 per watt since it costs $78.99 on Amazon) to Zamp Solar's outrageous $5/watt Obsidian 100W panel. Others I've "installed" are Zamp's 115 Watt panel ($3.48/watt), Zamp's 170 watt panel ($2.90/watt), Solarland's 175watt Silver Poly ($1.85/watt), HQST's 150 watt Poly (.93/watt) and Hightec Solar's 180 and 200 watt panels, .93/watt and .92/watt respectively.
Below are two examples I'm seriously considering. The one on the left is the HQST 100 Watt Polys in six series pairs. The one on the right is Hightec's 200 watt panels in parallel. (Red lines are series connections, green are parallel.)
I especially like the 3" clearance provided by Hightec's mount clips. I haven't looked at their tilting system. The only place I'd use tilt is probably when the camper is in my backyard. I figure I can run the camper's dehumidifier 24/7 for free instead of paying Gulf Power. (For those that don't know, I already have a complete inverter system installed with four 100aH Battle Born batteries.)
I'm very limited on space so I've got room for one, and only one, charge controller. I've researched controllers and based on the equation ((Total System Wattage*90%)/Battery Voltage)=Charge Controller Amperage Rating I'm currently planning on no more than a 1200 watt system. (1200W*.9)/12V=90A The controller being considered is a Victron SmartSolar 150/100. I want the controller's bluetooth capability--the app for the Victron BMV-712 is awesome and I expect the SmartSolar's to be similar. I also want the VE.Bus capability as it will tie into my system's CCGX (the Victron color controller).
The junction box being considered is AMSolar's C-Box. I really like how it's configured and that I can connect up to a 2ga wire from the box to the charge controller. (I plan on 4 ga, but nice to know I can go 2ga if I change my mind.)
For the runs from the panels themselves to the C-Box I am considering using AMSolar's custom 10ga wires. Pricey, but wire quality is not the place to cut costs in a solar installation.
That's it for now. Again, feel free to chime in. TIA!
-Howard
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