Solar power newbie

[SecretCoveDave]

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.

[Terry]

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.

[Quahog]

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.

[3'senough]

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.

[SecretCoveDave]

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

[SecretCoveDave]

Oh, how about 4 - water in them T-105's?

Dave?

[SecretCoveDave]

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.

[Rustic Eagle]

Here are a few links (from my favorites) that I felt had some helpful information when I was considering solar a little over a year ago. I went through numerous solar related web sites during my learning curve, so you may have already seen a couple of the following, but thought I would post the links just in case anyone is curious about batteries/solar:

Batteries:

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm

http://www.marine-electronics.net/te..._faq/b_faq.htm

Solar:

http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/content.php (check out the forums & what's new)

http://wheelingit.wordpress.com/2010...overy-process/ (nice three part article)

http://www.amsolar.com/ (I like these guys)

http://www.rvsolarelectric.com/

http://www.earthtechproducts.com/sol...er-panels.html

http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

http://www.jackdanmayer.com/rv_electrical_and_solar.htm

Bob

[SecretCoveDave]

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

[Leroy2u]

That is an excellent reference Rustic Eagle!!

[Seann45]

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

[SecretCoveDave]

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

[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)

[SecretCoveDave]

thanks Seann, this solar journey might be kind of fun!
Dave

[Quahog]

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)

Seann,

What size and brand is your inverter? How would you rate it satisfaction wise?

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by Quahog

Seann,

What size and brand is your inverter? How would you rate it satisfaction wise?

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)

[Quahog]

Definitely agree on the pure sine wave inverter. No solar yet so the charge controller can wait.