Solar panels - monocristallin vs polycristallin

joyeux · 03-18-2014, 05:19 PM

Wow, so everything is bought except for the panels. Here's my dilemma.

I got the slideout from the X213 which 79x72 sized, i got the choice of only
:
1x polycristallin 240w Qsolar panel QS 240 QSF or
2x panels of monocristallin 100w renogy flexible panel which generates more amps. (perhaps three but i don't know how to set them up.... all in parallel? but three is 300$ more than one 240w Qsolar)

Which shoud I choose? Of course the Qsolar is a bit cheaper and has a bit more watts that should compensate the lesser efficiency of poly.

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Jmooney · 03-18-2014, 05:31 PM

Also important is the voltage output from both. Due to the length of run, and smaller cable, you are going to lose voltage between panel and controller. As I understand it, a 12 volt charge will never get your batteries past 80%. You need to be in the 13.5-14 volt range to get the job done

Also, the latest in controllers uses PWM to improve battery life.

I'm new to solar as well and just ordered the 100w starter from Renogy, which you can add panels too as you go.

Good website with good info and prices and warranties.

http://www.renogy-store.com

**Mustang65** · 03-22-2014, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyeux

:
1x polycristallin 240w Qsolar panel QS 240 QSF or
2x panels of monocristallin 100w renogy flexible panel which generates more amps. (perhaps three but i don't know how to set them up.... all in parallel? but three is 300$ more than one 240w Qsolar)

Which shoud I choose?

What type of Solar Charge controller are you using? MPPT? PWM?

MPPT can give you up to an additional 42% more power than a PWM.
Your Solar charge controller mfr will give you the max input voltage from the panels. If you add the 2 panel voltages and they are less than the max of the controller panel input, wire in series. The reason is there is less voltage loss with the higher voltage from the panels. As for location of the charge controller, it should be as close to the batteries as possible.

Under stand that you are not going to get the max output from the panels, as that is only possible if you have them on a solar tracking mounting. Panels mounted flat will probably only produce about 50 or 60% of the rated panel watts. I have a single 250 watt panel, and a Morningstar TS60 MPPT Solar charge controller and my 2 Trojan T-145 batteries are charged by 2 or 3pm each day, 4 pm on a cloudy day.

I have a picture of my wiring diagram on the link below, hope it helps. Of course these are only my suggestions, you have to make the final decisions.

Now the fun starts.. You will need to create a SOLAR camping life style for dry-camping, LEDS, only using the electric when needed, electric fan motors drain a battery fast, charging all the phones, iPads, laptops during the sunny part of the day and the list goes on... but I love it! Hate generators!!!

Welcome to Life with SOLAR
Don

Seann45 · 03-28-2014, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmooney

Also important is the voltage output from both. Due to the length of run, and smaller cable, you are going to lose voltage between panel and controller. As I understand it, a 12 volt charge will never get your batteries past 80%. You need to be in the 13.5-14 volt range to get the job done

IF you have a good charge controller you can turn up the voltage on it. mine is set to 14.4 and I get a 100% charge.. 12 volt panels can put out up to 17 volts which is one of the many reasons you need a charge controller.

joyeux · 03-28-2014, 09:24 AM

Can you tell which Charge controller can be set to a different voltage? A few model would be appreciated!!!

Many thanks,

joyeux · 03-28-2014, 12:53 PM

I already have a Tracer 2210rn MPPT but am planning to upgrade to a 40A controller, so since I can't find anything that tell's me how to adjust the voltage on the Tracer, I'm probably buy one that easily allows such adjustement.

**Mustang65** · 03-28-2014, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyeux

Can you tell which Charge controller can be set to a different voltage? A few model would be appreciated!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyeux

Many thanks,

I do not know what you plan on spending on a MPPT solar controller, but you really get what you pay for. I decided on a MorningStar MPPT TS60, because of the ease of setting it up with a computer, ability of having it connected to my TT's Wi-Fi modem, and the output that I can look at (Live data and about 280 days of history) from any where, on my PC, iPhone, Tablets.., and the firmware handles everything on its own. My selection is not for everyone, I just like to be able to look at the stats, see how the system is performing when ever or from where ever I AM.

The voltage on your 240 watt panel is a high voltage panel and the output voltage is around 30VDC. Your other panels are low voltage panels and their voltage is around 12-17VDC. You will need to keep the controller inputs from your high voltage panel and low voltage panels on separate solar charge controllers.

I am not familiar with the entry level solar controllers. The MorningStar MPPT TS60 that I purchased cares for all the voltages from within the firmware. There are only a few things that need to be programmed into the MorningStar MPPT TS60, and it deals mostly with charging voltage (mfr info), and categories you want to record for history. Pretty much you connect the solar panel to the input of the solar controller and batteries to the output, and the solar controller cares for the rest.

There is a screen display of my charge controller on my link below. I will add a screen display of the history for you to look at.

Good Luck,
Don

Seann45 · 03-29-2014, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyeux

Can you tell which Charge controller can be set to a different voltage? A few model would be appreciated!!!

Many thanks,

Mine is blue sky..

joyeux · 03-29-2014, 06:42 AM

Thank you guys, now shopping time....

**Mustang65** · 03-30-2014, 10:29 AM

Let us know what you purchased!
Don

joyeux · 03-31-2014, 12:27 PM

For sure, I tending towards the Tristar MPPT 45A but it's a steep step from what I have considering it's for 5-6 week-ends a year. I'll just wait to get my TT out of the snow to wire the panels and see how much i pull from the panels in direct sun.

If it's under 15A it's a keeper, if over, I'll probably get the Tristar. I'll keep you all posted.

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