In search of Best BAng for the Buck...

[JakeTrilla]

Hi Jake, it can take anywhere from hours to days, its a manual process and I have to sleep sometimes

hahahaha I understand THAT! thanks for the add, I look forward to being a part of the community from time to time!

[solar pete]

Hi Jake, it can take anywhere from hours to days, its a manual process and I have to sleep sometimes

[JakeTrilla]

What is the normal time frame to be approved ?

I'm curious about the same...

haha I thought I was a big dummy because I couldn't find the "post something new" button!

[carolinaken]

Thank you for the update

[carolinaken]

What is the normal time frame to be approved ?

[SupraLance]

How about splitting that convo off into a thread titled "Hijack me" (or "Where to post if you can't start a new thread rather than hijack somebody else). Giving people in that position a post to comment on may cut down the number of hijacked threads all across the board...

[dstroot]

Thanks Solar Pete! I just thought I was missing something.

[solar pete]

Hi All

We still have an issue that I have to manually approve new members, so when you first join you can only respond to a post you cant start anything until approved and sometimes that takes too long and frustrates everyone including the mods (sorry guys) but hey I have to sleep sometimes

[J.P.M.]

Thanks Mike! So reading between the lines I am hearing that I can't create posts because I lack privileges and I need an upgrade?

Cheers!

Unless things have changed, you can post a new topic or start a thread.

--->>>Solar Panel Talk --->>>Forums --->>> pick a forum that covers the area that seems to cover what you want to discuss click on it --->>> click on button that says "new topic" --->>> start typing.

Not an immediately apparent path, and as a computer Luddite, I take the admin. to task for that. But on the user side, some user input and daring to try new stuff and root around is probably reasonable to expect.

[dstroot]

I'm a low level mod, and cannot upgrade you, split a thread, but I can approve your posts

Thanks Mike! So reading between the lines I am hearing that I can't create posts because I lack privileges and I need an upgrade?

Cheers!

[Mike90250]

Hey all - new here and I am embarrassed to hijack the thread but I cannot create a new post! I seem to be only able to reply to existing posts. Anyone know how to create a new post? (yes, I feel stupid but I can't figure this out!)

Cheers,
Dan

I'm a low level mod, and cannot upgrade you, split a thread, but I can approve your posts

[dstroot]

Hey all - new here and I am embarrassed to hijack the thread but I cannot create a new post! I seem to be only able to reply to existing posts. Anyone know how to create a new post? (yes, I feel stupid but I can't figure this out!)

Cheers,
Dan

[SupraLance]

Matrix, just assume my load predictions are over the amount of solar I can afford right now, and I'm trying to run the generator less by charging the 230ah@12v battery bank I already have with solar, and won't have trouble using any extra but can only spend about $1000.

As of right now, the following options are the best I've found and I would appreciate opinions and/or better options:

620w (clipped at 520w at controller when pv actual production exceeds that):
$140 ....EPever 4210a 40a mppt (can only run pv in parallel or exceed mpp range)
$440 ....two(2) Trina 310w 72cell 61lb panels including $150 shipping from SEP batteries
$110 ....Wagan Elite 2601 400w inverter
$60 ......wiring/breakers
=$750 plus mounting costs for 620w

OR 690w (clipped at 520w at controller when pv actual production exceeds that):
$190 ....EPever 4215bn 40a mppt
$456 ....three(3) EcoSolargy 230w 60cell 42lb panels including $150 shipping from SEP batteries
$110 ....Wagan Elite 2601 400w inverter
$72 ......wiring/breakers
=$828 plus mounting costs for 690w ($28 for 70w, $50 for more robust controller)

The EcoSolargy panels are cheaper per watt, but I'm concerned that they are likely to be older stock, and perhaps not as good as Trina panels. Do pv warranties go from date of manufacture? For instance, if I buy panels that have sat in a warehouse unused for 8 years, with a 25 year warranty, do they only actually have 18 years left on warranty?

[Matrix]

To be able really take a shot at your needs, we need to see projected load calculations in Watt Hours per day. That is how many Watts total from all devices you anticipate to need to power And also how many days of autonomy you plan to build into the system. You need either 1.) 2-3 days of autonomy (so that would be daily Watt Hours x the number of days = total need) Or a generator to off set those days when you have no sun or grid power or charging. Batteries do not like to sit around under charged for very long.

[SupraLance]

Ok, I appreciate the concern. Here are a few numbers that answer those questions, and you guys can point out if I'm missing something. The amount of estimated load I can meet with $1000 is exactly what I'm trying to figure out with the over-dimensioning questions. Is the controller to battery to inverter wiring the only wiring that can be smaller at 24v then 12v? And how much actual cost difference are we talking if those are all close together? I really don't know how to estimate wiring costs just yet.

My estimated costs to get producing at 12v:
$0 ................230ah@12v (2xglc115) batteries, already have
$140-$190 ....Epever 4210a or 4215bn 40a controller ($190 4215bn has 150w Voc limit)
$300-$450 ....600-900w of pv from SEP
....................(depends how much the controller can optimally be over-dimensioned, with actual production limited to 520w by controller)
$110-160.......Wagan Elite 2601 400w OR 2602 700w psw inverter (refrigeration will be 12v cooler in car, not ran off solar, until I go 24v)
$300 ............wiring, mounting hardware, fuses, etc (boxes would be sized for twice the pv being installed now)
=$850-$1100

Costs when upgrading to 24v later:
$450 ............4x 230ah 6v (I have 2 now, but not good to mix old/new)
$0 ...............same controller
$300-$450 ....600-900w of pv
$300 ............1000w psw inverter
$200 ............wiring/mounting hardware for 2-4 additional panels into existing boxes
=$1250-1400
total invested after upgrade to 24v = $2100-$2500

Cost to go 24v now:
$450 ...........4x 230ah 6v (I have 2 now, but not good to mix old/new)
$140-$190 ...Epever 4210a or 4215bn 40a controller ($189 4215bn has 150w Voc limit)
$600-$900 ...1200-1800w of pv from SEP (for 1040w actual production over-dimensioned)
$300 ...........1000w psw inverter
$450 ...........wiring, mounting hardware, fuses, etc
=$1950-$2300
So it looks like I only save about $150-$200 by jumping straight to 24v (and this is mostly the inverter, which I will keep for car-camping), and I waste the batteries already in use @12v. There might be stuff I'm not seeing, like more $$ in wiring savings? How much?

Of course my biggest question is still just how much pv to buy to get the most out of my $1000 system with over-dimensioning of the controller... I'd like to buy pv right away because I'm concerned the tariff is going to raise the prices here in the USA, but I'm not sure how much I should overpanel the controller.