Community Forums

Publin · 03-08-2016, 10:20 AM

Hi all,

Can you let me know if this setup would work ?
Or what problems i might face ....

4 x Topoint Solar 190 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel
1 x Outback Power FlexMax FM80 Charge Controller
1 x Outback Mate2 System Controller
6 x 12V 100ah SLA AGM Deep Cycle AGM battery Group 27 ( Replacing 2 Trojan T105 )
1 x Renogy 2000W 12V Pure-Sine Wave Battery Inverter ( All ready installed )

Thanks
Dave.

JJH3rd · 03-08-2016, 10:45 AM

Check this out:
Harbor Freight:
15 Watt, 12 Volt Solar Panel
~$70
they also have a 45W charging system.

mchero · 03-08-2016, 10:53 AM

I think Harbor Freight would be the last place Id purchase my solar hardware.

**pasdad1** · 03-08-2016, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJH3rd

Check this out:
Harbor Freight:
15 Watt, 12 Volt Solar Panel
~$70
they also have a 45W charging system.

How much good is a 15 watt panel ? The OP was going for 760 watts.

twinboat · 03-08-2016, 12:09 PM

You could probably get away with a 60 amp controller, but the 80 amp leaves room for expansion.

Looks like a great plan.

Publin · 03-08-2016, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the info.

do you think having 12v batteries would be ok ? I was told elseware that i should get 6v..... and that the 12v ones wouldn't be good as i have a 2000w inverter ?

Thanks again for all / any advice

twinboat · 03-08-2016, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJH3rd

Check this out:
Harbor Freight:
15 Watt, 12 Volt Solar Panel
~$70
they also have a 45W charging system.

50, 15 watt kits for $3600. Lots of wires to run and connect.

**TonyDi** · 03-08-2016, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJH3rd

Check this out:
Harbor Freight:
15 Watt, 12 Volt Solar Panel
~$70
they also have a 45W charging system.

These are way below the power needs of the OP. 15 watts really won't do much at all.

**pasdad1** · 03-08-2016, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Publin

Thanks for the info.

do you think having 12v batteries would be ok ? I was told elseware that i should get 6v..... and that the 12v ones wouldn't be good as i have a 2000w inverter ?

Thanks again for all / any advice

Kinda depends upon the brand/type of battery. Lifeline 12 volts are every bit as good as the lifeline 6 volts. Many times due to "economy of scale" 6 volt batteries are more heavily discounted since golf carts run off them and sell by the pallet. See if you have any golf cart dealers or repair shops nearby....many times they can offer better pricing.

twinboat · 03-08-2016, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Publin

Thanks for the info.

do you think having 12v batteries would be ok ? I was told elseware that i should get 6v..... and that the 12v ones wouldn't be good as i have a 2000w inverter ?

Thanks again for all / any advice

They are fine. If you use 6 volt they are about double the AH but half the volts. You come out the same.

Check price and AH of 6 and 12 volt Trojans and do the math.

If you said you were using Walmart gp 27 batteries or any "deep cycle/ start" batteries, that would be a different story. Trojan makes a real deep cycle battery.

RV Vagabond · 03-08-2016, 08:29 PM

Divide your total watts by 16.6 and that will tell you what amp controller you need.

twinboat · 03-08-2016, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

Seems like an elaborate setup for only 190 watts. Four 190 panels would be much more worthwhile. But make sure you get a 40 or even better a 50 amp controller. Most solar systems come with a 30 amp controller and that can handle only about 500 watts. Divide your total watts by 16.6 and that will tell you what amp controller you need.

He posted that he was using 4, 190 watt panels and an 80 amp controller.

Publin · 03-10-2016, 07:28 AM

Thanks for the help

I've ordered all the main parts ! that was kinda scary LOL

Now, does anyone know what type / size of fuse goes where...

Thanks

twinboat · 03-10-2016, 07:40 AM

You need a fuse close to the batteries in the + line to the controller.

It should be less then the amp capacity of the wire, to prevent melting it, but 10% above the the rated output of the controller.

On the panel side it needs to be higher then the panel output. Of course, being higher, it will never blow, so in many cases it is just used as a switch.

Fuse's are needed in multi panel junction box's if any combination of panels can melt the wires to 1 shorted panel.