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01-28-2012, 12:37 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Secret Cove
Posts: 10,701
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Solar power newbie
Now that i have ruined our brand new deep cycle 12 volt batteries, can I replace them with 2 6 volt AGM's ?
We have 1 (60 watt?) panel on the roof. Should I add two more for 180 ?
I found Ohm's Law but not sure about resistance/heat/line drop etc?
Apparently AGM's are more tolerant of cold. We usually (on the ocean ) have mild winters. For Canada, a few days just below freezing once or twice a winter.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts, Dave.
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2010 Jayco Feather Sport 22'6" (sold)DrawTite,12,000 lbs. 2017 Jayco 212 QBW BAJA (bought)
2011 Ford F-150 XLT SCab 4x4 Tow Package
"If you can't be smart; be stubborn.". DG.
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01-28-2012, 09:39 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
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What did you do to ruin the first set? As far as AGM - those are great for using in confined spaces where a sealed battery is necessary, but if they are going to be mounted on the outside it is probably overkill on the price. Why not go with standard Trojan or golf cart style - even in the cold they are going to do just fine.
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01-29-2012, 06:01 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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Like Terry said... AGM batteries cost quite a bit more. Two Trojan T-105s would give you 225 amp hours for a lot less money. One thing to remember though is since they are cabled in series, if you lose one, you're out of business (battery wise) until it's fixed.
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Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
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01-29-2012, 09:54 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 2,210
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I have the (2) 6V T-105 flooded setup and have been very pleased with performance. I thought, and don't hold me to this, that the AGM types could be very particular in performance and may not do well with some chargers which might be your issue? Again I don't know or have enough experience with those specific type batteries, this is just what I have read and heard.
With my flooded setup I can go several days on the systems without using the inverter heavy before needing to charge. They are great with storing and a solar type setup.
I am considering going to around a 100W solar charger (1) panel this season and am still searching. They have come out with some self adhearing panels that have intrigued my interest just don't know if I want something that permanent. Also the heat transfer between the roof and panel has me concerned. Though the thought of having something flush mounted with no holes is very tempting.
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01-29-2012, 10:11 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Secret Cove
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Thanks All, I left the 12 volts in the workshop without knowing about charging them.
Now very dead.
I was thinking AGM could survive our mild winters and be left on solar panel charge?
Any more advice is welcome.
warm regards Dave
__________________
2010 Jayco Feather Sport 22'6" (sold)DrawTite,12,000 lbs. 2017 Jayco 212 QBW BAJA (bought)
2011 Ford F-150 XLT SCab 4x4 Tow Package
"If you can't be smart; be stubborn.". DG.
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01-29-2012, 10:13 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Secret Cove
Posts: 10,701
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Oh, how about 4 - water in them T-105's?
Dave?
__________________
2010 Jayco Feather Sport 22'6" (sold)DrawTite,12,000 lbs. 2017 Jayco 212 QBW BAJA (bought)
2011 Ford F-150 XLT SCab 4x4 Tow Package
"If you can't be smart; be stubborn.". DG.
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01-29-2012, 06:16 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Secret Cove
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Update: this is what I think I know after much searching - reccomendations are for anywhere from 80 to 135 watts of solar for every 100 amp hours of battery.
I picked 100 watts of solar as a simple average. I have 60 watts now. Will add a 140 watt panel for 200 watts solar.
Then 2, deep cycle, water filled 12 volts for storage, 232 amp hrs each. Supposed to be good down to minus 11.
Next year leave them on the TT, over the winter.
__________________
2010 Jayco Feather Sport 22'6" (sold)DrawTite,12,000 lbs. 2017 Jayco 212 QBW BAJA (bought)
2011 Ford F-150 XLT SCab 4x4 Tow Package
"If you can't be smart; be stubborn.". DG.
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01-30-2012, 10:16 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Secret Cove
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This is great Bob! Thanks. I sure didn't realize how many opinions are out there. I beleive I have a plan. After we try it the second attempt should work. :-)
Dave
__________________
2010 Jayco Feather Sport 22'6" (sold)DrawTite,12,000 lbs. 2017 Jayco 212 QBW BAJA (bought)
2011 Ford F-150 XLT SCab 4x4 Tow Package
"If you can't be smart; be stubborn.". DG.
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01-30-2012, 06:35 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Spring Texas
Posts: 59
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That is an excellent reference Rustic Eagle!!
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02-06-2012, 11:49 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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IF you get snow that stays.. set the panels vertical (facing S) so they wont cover with snow.... and still charge... doing this you will not need AGM's 2-6's flooded style will be OK just make sure you have a charge controller on the system or the batteries will self discharge during the night... check your water level once a month... DISTILLED WATER ONLY
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Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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02-06-2012, 12:14 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Secret Cove
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Thanks Seann,good advice. We, actually DW, wants to try boondocking for a day.
I found a 12 volt hair dryer that might help?
Dave
__________________
2010 Jayco Feather Sport 22'6" (sold)DrawTite,12,000 lbs. 2017 Jayco 212 QBW BAJA (bought)
2011 Ford F-150 XLT SCab 4x4 Tow Package
"If you can't be smart; be stubborn.". DG.
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02-07-2012, 10:10 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
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I have been boondocking since Oct 19 and once you start you will NEVER want to visit another yucky sardine campground again... 12 volt appliances are good.. but I have a whole house inverter that powers EVERYTHING... TV microwave, even the A/C (but that is hard on the batteries)
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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02-07-2012, 11:44 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Secret Cove
Posts: 10,701
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thanks Seann, this solar journey might be kind of fun!
Dave
__________________
2010 Jayco Feather Sport 22'6" (sold)DrawTite,12,000 lbs. 2017 Jayco 212 QBW BAJA (bought)
2011 Ford F-150 XLT SCab 4x4 Tow Package
"If you can't be smart; be stubborn.". DG.
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02-07-2012, 02:34 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
I have been boondocking since Oct 19 and once you start you will NEVER want to visit another yucky sardine campground again... 12 volt appliances are good.. but I have a whole house inverter that powers EVERYTHING... TV microwave, even the A/C (but that is hard on the batteries)
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Seann,
What size and brand is your inverter? How would you rate it satisfaction wise?
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Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
2015 Eagle Premier 351RSTS
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02-08-2012, 12:06 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quahog
Seann,
What size and brand is your inverter? How would you rate it satisfaction wise?
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I have a Magnum Energy 2000 watt mod sine wave (4000 watt surge) the only thing I would do different from what I have now is to go with the full sine wave inverter.... and the largest charge controller I can get... (blue sky) got 515 watts on the roof now and would like to have another 270 watts up there... (during the summer this would be overkill but in the shorter winter days I can use it)
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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02-08-2012, 06:21 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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Definitely agree on the pure sine wave inverter. No solar yet so the charge controller can wait.
__________________
Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
2015 Eagle Premier 351RSTS
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