wdk450
Well-known member
Gang:
Since I moved to an outdoor storage lot with no electrical, and I have been thinking about doing more boondocking, I have been checking out the online resources for good prices on solar system stuff. Well, this week I found a solar place in Campbell (San Jose suburb) advertising large power solar panels for $0.70 a watt! Normal prices have been around $2.00 a watt. So I contacted them and got them to hold one of their 220 watt panels for me until I could drive over from Sacramento (about 100 miles each way). I got there and gave him $154 and got a 44 lb., 8 foot by 39 inches by 2 inches wide, 36 volt, solar panel. I checked the voltage output with a voltmeter in strong sunlight, and it was as stated. I haven't tested the current output from fear of harming the panel.
I know I need a MPPT solar controller module which will most efficiently transform the 36 volts DC to correct 4 stage charging levels for 12 volt lead acid batteries. That purchase is pending.
With the 8 foot size, I am not sure I can mount it sideways on top of the Bighorn, I will have to climb up there with a tape and do some measurements and obstruction surveys.
Can solar battery charging work in conjunction with the convertor, or do I need to install an isolation switch on the solar system?
Does anyone else have a system like this, or do you all just use 12 volt panels?
Thanks in advance for the help!
Since I moved to an outdoor storage lot with no electrical, and I have been thinking about doing more boondocking, I have been checking out the online resources for good prices on solar system stuff. Well, this week I found a solar place in Campbell (San Jose suburb) advertising large power solar panels for $0.70 a watt! Normal prices have been around $2.00 a watt. So I contacted them and got them to hold one of their 220 watt panels for me until I could drive over from Sacramento (about 100 miles each way). I got there and gave him $154 and got a 44 lb., 8 foot by 39 inches by 2 inches wide, 36 volt, solar panel. I checked the voltage output with a voltmeter in strong sunlight, and it was as stated. I haven't tested the current output from fear of harming the panel.
I know I need a MPPT solar controller module which will most efficiently transform the 36 volts DC to correct 4 stage charging levels for 12 volt lead acid batteries. That purchase is pending.
With the 8 foot size, I am not sure I can mount it sideways on top of the Bighorn, I will have to climb up there with a tape and do some measurements and obstruction surveys.
Can solar battery charging work in conjunction with the convertor, or do I need to install an isolation switch on the solar system?
Does anyone else have a system like this, or do you all just use 12 volt panels?
Thanks in advance for the help!
Last edited: