question on solarex panels, old ones

[erik f]

hi forum,

i'm new here. thot maybe someone could tell me something about my six solarex panels that came with a remote place i bought in idaho. they are a decade or more old, the labels are pretty much worn away, but what i do see is that they having wiring diagrams apparently so they can deliver either 6 or 12 volts. they are about 20x44 inches. these six panels are sending power to a 24 volt system, 12 trojan deep cycle lead acid batteries, with a xantrex inverter and prostar regulator. i'm considering replacing the prostar with a T40 trace.

any info? any thoughts on improvements? thanks,

erk f

[Mike90250]

the 12, deep cycle batteries trouble me. I don't think your panels produce anywhere near the power to properly maintain 24V @ 600ah . I'm guessing the panels might produce 60w each, 360w total, @ 24V is only 15 amps, barely enough for 4, 200A, 6V golf cart batteries.

Why change the charge controller ? Just to change it?

Old battery theory was, build a humongous battery bank, and trickle charge it. That's proved to be a way to ruin batteries with stratification and sulfation. http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/carfaq.htm

Current practice says "In a battery system, only about 50% of the PV panel rating is available for use". This generalization covers all the normal panel, wire, battery and controller losses. Harvest is watt hours, derived from Sun Hours at your location. PV watts is the best tool to preview your monthly/seasonal harvest by zip code. http://www.nrel.gov/rredc/pvwatts/

[erik f]

question on old solarex panels

mike
thanks very much for your feedback. this system was sort of designed over a decade ago by a previous owner who operated by the seat of his pants, probably on the trickle charge notion. the max i ever see delivered by the panels is 11 amps. even at charging levels of 8 or 9 the batteries are bubbling vigorously, however. i also put in power from an Air X 400 watt wind turbine. in the salmon river valley here in idaho we have lots of sun and wind - summer desert conditions - and i'm only here in the summer, at most three months. in the winter the system maintains charge. had to fill almost five gallons into the batteries when i got here in may. bad news. got to get someone to fill mid-winter. i'd change out the prostar only if the newer regulator had a more sophisticated charging pattern and equalization protocol (the manual on the trace C40 suggest that; the prostar manual has no information on those things).
any further comments are appreciated.

erik

[Rob Henry]

Solar Panels

Hi

I'We are new to this forum, just wanted peoples opinion on our new site

Thanks Guys

Mod note - If you wish to advertise on the site contact user name Jason

[inetdog]

Hi
... peoples opinion ....
Thanks Guys

Just one note, from a US bias: Whenever I see "As Advertised on TV" it makes me think of high pressure informercials and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[CJ SolarTown]

Probably best to confirm the nameplate value of the solar panels. Even with older modules, there should be a model number available that will help in determining the technical parameters of the solar panel. I don't believe the value will be too high but you may be able to charge smaller batteries and power small devices with the existing modules. Maybe a fence or security light. In any event, it boils down to how much energy the solar panels will produce.

Good luck

[Wy_White_Wolf]

Both the Solarex MSX-60 and MSX-64 were 20 x 44.

http://www.solarelectricsupply.com/pdf/Solarex/Solarex-MSX64.pdf

[erik f]

thanks white wolf and solartown

i'll check those specs actually in the last seven years with this system, we've run power tools like skill saws, sawzalls, drills, we've charged car batteries, run an rv water pump, and lights. this battery set is about four years old, so i may just be mining out its value way too fast with inadequate charging and equalization.

erik