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10-15-2015, 09:58 PM
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#21
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BoldAdventure
I was going to piece my system together DIY style with Renology, but research on their panels lead me to believe they are subpar. I chose AMSolar and the GS-135 panels because they are high-efficiency panels that by numbers alone bet the 100 watt Renology panels. It's a shame they stopped making them. I would of added another panel. But plan on adding a 100 watt panel next.
I'm really glad I chose AMSolar, the kit includes everything, no guessing, and no running to the store to get parts/supplies or even wondering if you have everything you need. They provide everything.
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The GS-135 panels were manufactured by Grape Solar (hence the GS designation) as were the GS-100s but were designed by AM Solar, who also sourced the higher efficiency cells that allow for more wattage from less cells (only 32 cells in the GS-100 vs. the standard 36, and 40" length vs. 47").
A 'little bird' told me today that the GS-135s may be coming back from a different source. Don't quote me yet. I will keep you all posted if/when they re-appear.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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12-15-2015, 01:05 PM
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#22
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Rivet Master
2015 28' International
Ofallon
, Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 657
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Do you find the 400W enough?
What kind, how many and what size batteries do you have with the 4x100AW panels? Where are they?
I have a 28 ft (exact same length as yours, diff config) and I am considering a solar system. 200W min (current battery stowage will work) or 400W better I think (but need more batteries and I don't want to put them all the way forward on the hitch.
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12-15-2015, 01:39 PM
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#23
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
Pleasanton
, California
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 745
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I find 400 W suits my needs well. I have the original two group 31 lead-acid cells mounted in the outside box. On cloudy days the batteries are back to 100% by noon. I added the Solar Boost IPN Pro remote so that I can monitor my battery consumption and state-of-charge. I can't imagine installing a solar system without a battery monitor.
I said to myself that I would first use the existing batteries and see if my lifestyle required more battery capacity (AGM or Lithium), but so far this hasn't been the case but of course your mileage may vary.
__________________
Al, K6IV
2015 30' Classic, "Chez Nu"
2014 RAM 2500 w/Cummins Diesel
ProPride Hitch, 400 W Solar
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02-05-2017, 02:46 PM
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#24
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Dino & Mike
Currently Looking...
Northridge
, California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
the 10AWG that Airstream uses as their solar pre-wire. For a 12VDC parallel connected solar array, you need 6.4' or less to achieve 3% voltage drop.
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I'm wondering: would you say that on a 16' AS, which I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) only has room for 2 slim panels in the middle of the roof astride the AirCond unit. If the solar controller AS or someone else installs is near the middle of the trailer too, it seems the distance would be fairly close to 6.5'.
I can see over 3% drop would happen quickly on a 20'-34' trailer with 4 to 6 or more panels. But on the 16' bambi, would you say the stock #10 would work for the 2 panels and relatively short distance? Or is #8's the likely way to go?
__________________
"Life a is banquet, and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death" ...Auntie Mame
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02-05-2017, 03:39 PM
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#25
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stream-Style
I'm wondering: would you say that on a 16' AS, which I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) only has room for 2 slim panels in the middle of the roof astride the AirCond unit. If the solar controller AS or someone else installs is near the middle of the trailer too, it seems the distance would be fairly close to 6.5'.
I can see over 3% drop would happen quickly on a 20'-34' trailer with 4 to 6 or more panels. But on the 16' bambi, would you say the stock #10 would work for the 2 panels and relatively short distance? Or is #8's the likely way to go?
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I regularly place a pair of SP-100 panels (21" X 41") on either side of the 16 starting at the front cap. Replacement and relocation of the TV antenna is required. You could definitely get by with the 10AWG if your panels are connected in series using the higher output voltage, but if your panels are connected in parallel I would go 8AWG.
Remember that the solar charge controller should be positioned as close to the batteries as possible, so this usually lengthens the cable run from the roof combiner box to the controller.
Also, if you decide to go with a series connection, be sure that your controller is capable of handling the increased voltages, as it will see up to 40+VDC from a pair of SP-100 panels.
Placing panels on either side of the A/C will effectively negate one of those panels between 30-60% of the day due to shading from the A/C shroud.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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02-05-2017, 04:47 PM
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#26
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Dino & Mike
Currently Looking...
Northridge
, California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 23
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Thanks Lew, that makes sense now.
So with 2 panels wired in series, and close to 40volts combined, that would mean the solar controller would have to be an MPPT? (a PWM wouldn't work in this case?)
Do you typically see installs of just 2 panels and a 200 watt system going with MPPT? I don't see THAT much of a cost difference as other websites posters seem to talk about and the AmSolar website did a nice explanation of the MPPT and higher voltage benifits.
__________________
"Life a is banquet, and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death" ...Auntie Mame
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02-05-2017, 07:24 PM
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#27
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stream-Style
Thanks Lew, that makes sense now.
So with 2 panels wired in series, and close to 40volts combined, that would mean the solar controller would have to be an MPPT? (a PWM wouldn't work in this case?)
Do you typically see installs of just 2 panels and a 200 watt system going with MPPT? I don't see THAT much of a cost difference as other websites posters seem to talk about and the AmSolar website did a nice explanation of the MPPT and higher voltage benifits.
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This controller would be perfect for a 200 watt system: http://amsolar.com/victron/cctlr-vt-mpp-10015a
The Victron 100/15 accepts up to 100 VDC input, will easily handle up to 240 watts and automatically senses the battery voltage for proper charge output. In addition, you can get the blue tooth dongle and monitor/program it from your smart phone. Looks like a slam dunk to me................
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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02-06-2017, 12:53 PM
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#28
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Dino & Mike
Currently Looking...
Northridge
, California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
Looks like a slam dunk to me................
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Me too. Thanks for the Lew!
__________________
"Life a is banquet, and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death" ...Auntie Mame
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