Hello!
Another newbie with solar here. Also a newbie with RV's but I'll save that for another forum.
I have a few questions even though I am fairly certain everything is ok with my plans - I thought I would seek opinions of those in the know because as much as I have researched and learned, I am no expert and simple yet costly mistakes are easily made and best avoided.
Here goes.
There was already a system in place with this RV, a 150 watt panel, a 30 amp PWM charge controller and a 12v garden tractor battery (I think about 20 Ah). This has been sufficient for the few led lights and occasional furnace use (blower motor). Things have changed and I now need an inverter and likely a lot more battery power to bank on as I will be using a computer or laptop with all the accessories that come with it (HD, printer, iPhone charger, iPad charger (monitor if I go with the mac mini). Maximum use looks to be around 175 watts at any time, although it seems likely I will usually be using much less than that for the most part. I plan to limit the usage to around 3 hours a day.
I was told by the original owner if I was to get an inverter to plug it into the last two slots available on the charge controller.
A lot of reading seems to indicate this is the wrong way to go as the inverter should be connected directly to the battery.
I decided upon a 300 watt Go Power pure sine inverter, and am almost ready to pull the trigger on a battery...I've been looking a deep cycle with 105 Amp hours (http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mo...-0103199p.html)
I plan to run the inverter directly to the battery (20A fuse in between), and connect everything else to the battery the same way as it currently is (solar panel > charge controller > 20 A fuse > battery)
Am I right to assume the inverter should go direct to battery?
Am I also right to leave the existing wiring for the solar panel and charge controller?
Any major pitfalls with battery choice or anything else here?
I am aware that the sun is getting less and less...so I will likely be investing in a battery charger as well...any suggestions?
Thanks for looking!
Another newbie with solar here. Also a newbie with RV's but I'll save that for another forum.
I have a few questions even though I am fairly certain everything is ok with my plans - I thought I would seek opinions of those in the know because as much as I have researched and learned, I am no expert and simple yet costly mistakes are easily made and best avoided.
Here goes.
There was already a system in place with this RV, a 150 watt panel, a 30 amp PWM charge controller and a 12v garden tractor battery (I think about 20 Ah). This has been sufficient for the few led lights and occasional furnace use (blower motor). Things have changed and I now need an inverter and likely a lot more battery power to bank on as I will be using a computer or laptop with all the accessories that come with it (HD, printer, iPhone charger, iPad charger (monitor if I go with the mac mini). Maximum use looks to be around 175 watts at any time, although it seems likely I will usually be using much less than that for the most part. I plan to limit the usage to around 3 hours a day.
I was told by the original owner if I was to get an inverter to plug it into the last two slots available on the charge controller.
A lot of reading seems to indicate this is the wrong way to go as the inverter should be connected directly to the battery.
I decided upon a 300 watt Go Power pure sine inverter, and am almost ready to pull the trigger on a battery...I've been looking a deep cycle with 105 Amp hours (http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mo...-0103199p.html)
I plan to run the inverter directly to the battery (20A fuse in between), and connect everything else to the battery the same way as it currently is (solar panel > charge controller > 20 A fuse > battery)
Am I right to assume the inverter should go direct to battery?
Am I also right to leave the existing wiring for the solar panel and charge controller?
Any major pitfalls with battery choice or anything else here?
I am aware that the sun is getting less and less...so I will likely be investing in a battery charger as well...any suggestions?
Thanks for looking!
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