Quote:
Originally Posted by bighamstoy
I'm looking at purchasing a pair of Trojan T-145 6V batteries & 2000W inverter. Each battery has 260AH. What I really want to be able to do is run a coffee maker in the morning and watch TV in the evening without running my generator. Will this pairing work to do what I want? I have no clue about any of this other than I need a lot of amp hours.
|
I will not tell you what you need to get, but I can give you an idea as to what we have encountered with your above proposed setup. For the last 2 years we have had the following:
- 250Watt Grape Solar panel (without going into the technical things, it is a 31VDC panel).
- MorningStar MPPT 60 amp Solar Charge Controller (purchased because of network display, remote monitoring, and expansion (adding 2 more panels/batteries)
- 2 Trojan T145 Batteries (AH @ 20 HR Rate 260)
- 1500 Watt Ramsond PSI Inverter, idle it is less than .5 amps (we have never maxed this one out).
- NO GENERATOR (I hate the sound)
Our Solar Lifestyle:
- Since adding solar, we have yet to turn on the RV’s battery charge controller (2 years now). Even saves a few $$ while it is parked next to the house.
- The solar panel pretty much spends from about 9:30 in the morning until about 2 or 3PM recharging the batteries (May through September).
- We charge all our electronics (iPhone, MagicJack phones, tablets, and laptops..) during the day, with no issues.
- The morning is when the batteries are at their lowest point (Between 12 and 12.4VDC), so using the coffee pot would not be advised.
- We do use the 2 cup electric coffee pot for our 2PM cup of Joe (on sunny days).
- We have used the microwave during the sunniest part of the day with no issues and batteries are ready to go for the night usage.
- We have the RV’s radio or the Tv on most of the day.
- We do run the fridge off electric (120VAC), and it does not really kick on over night that I have seen (battery level), but if it is going to be cloudy or rainy we switch to LP. We always travel with it running on electric.
- We watch about 4 or 5 hours of Tv at night, all the lights are LED.
- RV central heat (FAN) depending on the temperature outside and thermostat setting can bring your batteries down to their knees, but we have not had an issue yet.
- Most importantly we
NEVER let the batteries drop below 50% (about 12VDC), and check the water levels monthly. I equalize the batteries every 60 days, when heavy loads are applied for a period of time.
So, what am I going to do this year, to enhance our SOLAR Lifestyle? Funny you should ask.. I am adding (2) more 265 Grape Solar panels (will put the MPPT at its limit) and another set of the T-145 Trojan batteries. Why, you ask… to give us a little more buffer and a little more charging power for those NON-Summer months, and maybe that morning cup of Joe.
I guess I better buy/sell a few more stocks to pay for my upcoming toy order.
Just my thoughts,
Don
Linear Mode
