We bought a large, old but new-to-me RV a year ago. Put new Trojan batteries in it (6 x 6V). The batteries are in a block of 4 on the driver's side and 2 on the passenger's side - which is factory, but I have read that the differences in cable length make it less than ideal but would be really difficult to change. It's all rigged for 12V and used to start the diesel engine as well as run the RV part. It never had any solar till last year when I got it and decided I didn't want to use the generator all the time. I put 2 265 Suniva panels on it and a Morningstar 45A mppt controller. It only worked as I hoped (charged by mid-day) a few times. Since the panels don't tilt, they aren't getting ideal sun. Then the stupidest and most expensive mistake was assuming the panels would keep things good through the winter. They got covered up with snow, batteries trickled off to nothing and froze.
So what would you do? Thinking the batteries were the right ones, so I'll suck it up and replace them with new standard Trojans. I can easily fit one more of the panels. With some ingernuityengineering I could fit 2 more. Either way, I would need another controller. Same one- Morningstar mppt 45?
I know I don't have my consumption figures here but can confirm that if I start out mid-day with full charge, I never run out before morning. I have a 2000W inverter and run an Avanti apartment size fridge and one or two 12v fans and occasionally an LCD tv. Water pump kicks on now and then and LED bulbs throughout. It's not too much for the six batteries if I can get them charged back up each day.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions moving forward!
So what would you do? Thinking the batteries were the right ones, so I'll suck it up and replace them with new standard Trojans. I can easily fit one more of the panels. With some ingernuityengineering I could fit 2 more. Either way, I would need another controller. Same one- Morningstar mppt 45?
I know I don't have my consumption figures here but can confirm that if I start out mid-day with full charge, I never run out before morning. I have a 2000W inverter and run an Avanti apartment size fridge and one or two 12v fans and occasionally an LCD tv. Water pump kicks on now and then and LED bulbs throughout. It's not too much for the six batteries if I can get them charged back up each day.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions moving forward!
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