what solar panel to use

[rideglobally]

this question probably been posted before. what is the largest solar panel you can use to charge a 12 volt battery? i have limited space on my rig so i want to put a single panel that has the highest amp, most efficient and most appropriate for over landing application. when i called around i am told all solar panels are the same, i want to ask experts on this forum.

my second question; i am looking for a solar charge that can handle this solar panel that has the feature of not over charging, how much charge is going into the battery and able to see charge level of the batteries. i have dual odessy battery and i want to be able to charge individual or both of the batteries. i will be using a manual battery switch to do this.

i have never done this before so your help will be greatly appreciated........ thank you :snorkel:

 

[Corey]

Check out my solar thread in this section.
I have mine setup for keeping the main battery topped off while camping and using the fridge.

 

[rideglobally]

what is the largest wattage single panel?

thanks Corey, the thread was very helpful, however my question is what is the largest wattage single panel i can use to charge 12 volts battery. i like the Brunton charge controller.... thanks

 

[jkam]

You can use the largest wattage panel that will fit your space, 12volt batteries don't care about that.
The Brunton charge controller will handle 7 amps so that will be what gets to the batteries no matter how big your panel is.

I have 2 80 watt panels and a 15 amp charge controller and on sunny days my panels produce over 10 amps easily.

What is the space for the panel? With that You can figure out the largest panel that fits.

 

[Carlyle]

this question probably been posted before. what is the largest solar panel you can use to charge a 12 volt battery? i have limited space on my rig so i want to put a single panel that has the highest amp, most efficient and most appropriate for over landing application. when i called around i am told all solar panels are the same, i want to ask experts on this forum.

my second question; i am looking for a solar charge that can handle this solar panel that has the feature of not over charging, how much charge is going into the battery and able to see charge level of the batteries. i have dual odessy battery and i want to be able to charge individual or both of the batteries. i will be using a manual battery switch to do this.

i have never done this before so your help will be greatly appreciated........ thank you :snorkel:

The size and efficiency of the panels is not related to the number of volts of your batteries. The amperage given off by the panels should go through a regulator and will top off your batteries in the time it takes for the missing amps to be replaced. I'm running 6 volt 220 amp Lifeline batteries in series hooked to two Carmanah 170 watt panels through a 25 amp charger and pull in over 20 amps when it's sunny in the middle of the day. As the sun and clouds move the amperage goes down Charging loss will be greater based on temperature , size of wiring, time of the year etc.

Work out your needs based on your draw and figure out the size of panels you need. Also, gel cells have different charging needs than wet cells.

Hope this helps.

Carl

 

[rideglobally]

The size and efficiency of the panels is not related to the number of volts of your batteries. The amperage given off by the panels should go through a regulator and will top off your batteries in the time it takes for the missing amps to be replaced. I'm running 6 volt 220 amp Lifeline batteries in series hooked to two Carmanah 170 watt panels through a 25 amp charger and pull in over 20 amps when it's sunny in the middle of the day. As the sun and clouds move the amperage goes down Charging loss will be greater based on temperature , size of wiring, time of the year etc.

Work out your needs based on your draw and figure out the size of panels you need. Also, gel cells have different charging needs than wet cells.

Hope this helps.

Carl

thanks this is helpful, is there an issue of over charging the batteries? i will check out the Carmanah solar panel, is there a preffered panel for off road application?

 

[rideglobally]

Carlyle, i went into the Carmanah website and got my question answered. i am trying to get pricing, i think i am going for the new 145 watt charging system. if anybody else is using other brand please let me know. i am looking for the highest wattage single panel. i got my new 50 quart arb fridge and i am trying to install a solar system before my next trip in July. thank you posting here has been very help .... i can say i know a bit more about solar. still very open to suggestions.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

Go for a trusted brand panel... That is the main thing. We have a Sunpower SPR-90 watt that keeps my 105 AH/10hr AGM battery alive and well for many days at a time while using an Engel 45 and lights at night (all LED).

My panel is not fixed so I tend to track the sun with it if I'm around camp, if not I fix it in the best spot I can think of. If you fix the panel on your roof it means you will not be able to camp in nice shady spots...

Get the best charge controller you can afford (I like Morningstar), preferably an MPPT which is more intelligent than a regular (cheaper) controller. An MPPT will optimize the output of your panel for the battery.

Get good quality wire of thicker gauge and good connectors to minimize loss.

You mention you have 2 Odyssey batteries... A starter and a "house"? Or are the two meant for the house? Either way buy an intelligent battery charger! When you get home or to an outlet charge your batteries it will extend their life.

Good luck and keep posting here. I have to go to Ih8MUD to check your progress haven't been there in a while.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rideglobally]

thanks Luis and Lacey, long time since i heard from you i am gonna have to check out your site. make it easy for you here is my ih8mud link http://forum.ih8mud.com/expedition-builds/236987-building-landcruiser-overland-expedition-24.html

checked out the morning star website, which MPPT are you using 45 amp or 60 amp? that is a good point about fix on the roof or "portable" i am gonna try to install mine so that it is fixed on the roof but able to move it to orient it to the sun when neccessary, it will be fun to figure out that design. i agree with you about getting the best panel that is why i posted on this forum. i am trying to get the best of everything on the solar system of course with in a budget. so any suggestion are welcome.

my batteries are odyssey, only use for my rig.

thanks, we are trying out to get out there.

 

[jkam]

I'll ask again. What is the dimensions of the space available for the panel? Panels come in so many sizes and wattage that it's amazing. A mono crystalline panel is the most efficient but usually more money than the other choices.
You won't need more than the Morninstar Sunsaver 15 MPPT controller with one panel. I have that one along with the remote monitor which is very handy to have. It works great at keeping my 2 Trojan T-105's juiced up.

 

[rideglobally]

Hi Jay, my total roof Space is 6' x 9' but I do not want to use all this space, max I want to use is probably 3' x 6' . Help on the panel would be great.

Morningstar website only show 45 and 60 amp MPPT.

 

[Carlyle]

I'm using a 25 amp Go-Power charger on my two panels. As said earlier, 15 amp will be quite sufficient for your needs. Try RVSolarElectric.com for more info, they've helped me in the past.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jkam]

They sell the Sunsaver in MPPT with 15 amps.
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sunsavermppt
The remote monitor is very nice as well.
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/rm-1

As far as panels go, you have plenty of room for whatever panel you can afford. I don't recommend panels as the market is constantly changing and pricing as well. Pick a good vendor you trust and go for it. As mentioned, it's as important if not more that you use as big of wiring as you can. Keep the length as short as possible to minimize loss.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

They sell the Sunsaver in MPPT with 15 amps.
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sunsavermppt
The remote monitor is very nice as well.
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/rm-1

As far as panels go, you have plenty of room for whatever panel you can afford. I don't recommend panels as the market is constantly changing and pricing as well. Pick a good vendor you trust and go for it. As mentioned, it's as important if not more that you use as big of wiring as you can. Keep the length as short as possible to minimize loss.

Agreed and I will reiterate my suggestion of using an "intelligent" charger as well when AC is available in order to extend the life of your expensive batteries (adventuretrailers.com has a good selection).

 

[rideglobally]

what do you think of this kit? is the regulator that comes with it same as a solar charger? if it is a solar charger do you think it is efficient enough? been trying to call carmanah but very hard to get a hold of them, i will keep trying. the whole kit sell for about $700. http://www.gpelectric.com/products/new-145-watt-solar-charging-kit

i think the panel by itself sells about $600.

thanks