Solar That Really Works

[GENECOP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralper An update to my post: I learned that Morningstar controlers are better than and less expensive than the Blue Sky unit I used. Handy Bob does fix solar that is not working right for a reasonable fee. E-mail him if you need his services. His e-mail address is on his web site. I just spent the 4th of July weekend with him. He tweeked my controls and I am getting more power. I hardly used what my system was producing and now I have even more. He and his wife were very gracious hosts. He does indeed live off grid and collects and uses filtered rain water. His wife was sewing and using the iron on solar power and like me they use their microwave. No generator needed.

Where is Bob located? Maybe if i am passing through, i can hire Bob to help me out, G

[ralper]

I am sworn to not divulge that information. Contact him through his web site via e-mail.

[wildbill100]

I rewied my toyhauler a second time to meet Handy Bob's specs.......Best mod I ever did......Handy Bob truly knows what works.......While there are more than one way to "skin a cat" so to speak and many other people have different ideas that may work as well.....dollar for dollar...Handy Bob's system gives you the most bang for your buck.....

[ralper]

I am glad I could lead you in the right direction. Solar does work if it is done correctly as you know. Now you must spread the word !!!!!

[ralper]

Update:

I spent 6 weeks boondocking in a National Forest this summer. Power was not a problem. I had all I needed and then some. Sewer and water was the problem. True boondockers do not let that stop them.

[wa8yxm]

When you hit REPLY you see that globe with the chain link on it..

Click that and enter your URL in the pop-up box LIke I did on the next line

http:/handybobsolar.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/solar-power-that-works/

[SpursMVP]

So I'm getting ready to start the Solar Power journey for our RV. A question for Handy Bob or his posse.

The coach has a Trace Legend 1512SB Inverter/Charger. This appears to mean it will produce 1500 watts and has input voltage of 12V, if I am reading the owners manual correctly.

It also has the 3 stage battery charger with bulk, absorption and float stages. It's wired up for the battery temperature senor as well and I checked to ensure the sensor (not the inverter/charger) is in the batter compartment. Right between 2 of the 4, 6 volt batteries. One thing I did notice is that they are interstate batteries and are coming up on 2 years old.

Based on Bob's reading (and it was awesome) should I upgrade this item when adding solar? By the way I'm planning to order the Trimetric 2020.

[wildbill100]

If your inverter/charger works good and does not have a big idle draw when nothing is turned on......(check with your Trimetric 2020).....and 1500w is enough power for you.....I see no reason why you should change it....unless money in not an issue?......Almost all the new units are pure sine wave.......mine is older and is modified sine wave and I have found very little that does not work well with it......

[SpursMVP]

Thanks. So it looks like adding the Morningstar 45 amp controller is next.

Any suggestions on panels? I've read a lot about Kyocera, Sharp, Evergreen. Not a clue about which is good bad, but the prices are all over the place!

I'm looking at around 350-400 watts total.

[wildbill100]

I like the Kyocera.....mostly because that is what I have......I bought the ones with the junction box attached to the back as it made wiring easier for me......they seem to be well made and look like new after three years.....

[ralper]

You will need a separate battery temperature sensor for the solar controler.

I no longer need to use the charger portion of my inverter. Even if I am on shore power the charger is off. My solar does a much better job of charging the batteries than the inverter/charger does. My solar controler brings the voltage up to 14.8 V whereas my charger does not. It only goes up to 14.3 volts.

[SpursMVP]

Just pulled out my inverter owners manual and it is somewhat adjustable for battery type. It supposedly puts out 14.7 v for wet cell batteries so I'll start with that.

Wow...after looking at the cost of the solar panels, I'm a bit gunshy. Pretty pricey upgrage.

[Wetboy5776]

I got much cheaper panels from Solar Panels - Sunelec : Solar Panels 58¢/W, PV Systems $2.40/W

My latest panel was the house brand 190 watt one for $340. There are even cheaper price/watt panels on their site. I personally went down to Miami to pick up my panel and the folks there were great.

I was iffy on these panels being so cheap, but after using it for a year now, I can tell you they are top-notch in output and workmanship.

[SpursMVP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wetboy5776 I got much cheaper panels from Solar Panels - Sunelec : Solar Panels 58¢/W, PV Systems $2.40/W My latest panel was the house brand 190 watt one for $340. There are even cheaper price/watt panels on their site. I personally went down to Miami to pick up my panel and the folks there were great. I was iffy on these panels being so cheap, but after using it for a year now, I can tell you they are top-notch in output and workmanship.

Thanks for the info. What hardware did you use to mount and run the wiring for these? It seems that the 'kit's that companies sell seem very expensive.

Sounds like we need a controller, a useage monitor, 6 gauge wire, some fuses,e tc. It woudl be great if we had a definitive list of the key items because it looks like its cheaper than buying a kit.