Solar Panel Regulators
Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 11:00
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Member - John M (NSW)
I am trying to source the most suitable and best / high quality Solar Regulator for the camper trailer that I am building.
There are many types available and prices range significantly.
As there is so much good advice here, can anyone recommend a good quality unit. I do not mind spending a few extra dollars on good gear but sometimes price does not always dictate the most reliable brand or model.
I have the following equipment so far: -
1 x 120W BP Solar Panel
2 x 50W BP Solar Panels
2 x 120AH Full River AGM Batteries
1 x Ctec 2500 Battery Charger
1 x Honda 2kva Invertor Generator
1 x 3500W Pure Sine Wave Invertor
Equipment to Run: -
1 x 100 litre Waeco Fridge
1 x 50 Litre Evakool Freezer
1 x 12vdc
Water Pump
LED lighting
1 x 12vdc Stereo
Laptop from time to time
1 x 12vdc winch (to raise and lower camper roof)
Possibly a caravan washing machine (subject to space)
TV & DVD Player
I have been looking at 30amp Regulators and prices range from $150.00 to $500.00 so I ask for your ideas and experience.
We predominantly
free camp or stay where there is no power available and want to be completely self sufficient. When the solar system cannot keep up with power usage my intention is to charge the batteries from the generator via the battery charger and or from the vehicle when travelling. Am I on the right track with this idea.
Your comments and experienced advice would be appreciated.
Regards
John
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Reply By: Boobook2 - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 11:20
Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 11:20
John, if you are prepared to pay a few extra buck on a reg/charger then you will be richly rewarded if you get a MPPT one.
As per thread 73507 and a few others it will allow you to get 15 - 30% more amps from the same panels. They give the most benefit when the panels are cooler. Ie in the morning and in winter. Co- incidently when you need the most power.
I have an Outback MX 60 which has remote config, alarms, programmable behaviour but other good ones would include Morningstar's MPPT,
AnswerID:
389936
Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 11:26
Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 11:26
Oops wrong button.
...would include Morningstar's MPPT, Bluesky,Xantrex etc
You can read more here
What the heck is MPPT?WikiMore info
The only thing is buy it from the US. They are about double the price here.
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Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 12:41
Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 12:41
Hi Boobook2, I have had a look at "What the heck is MPPT" and found a fair bit of it technobabble.
" The Outback MX60 has a very nice computer (RS485) computer interface."
" In an extreme case, such as a fully discharged battery at 10.5 volts, you would get nearly 7 amps at 10.5 volts out of the MPPT into the battery."
Any one else care to comment ?
KK
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Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 16:26
Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 16:26
KK the figure quoted uin that document is for a 80 watt panel. That is probably for a very discharged battery. never tried that. But I have personally seen about 7 A charge from a 85w panel.
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Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 17:22
Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 17:22
It's not the current that worries me in that example but the voltage - trying to charge a 12 volt battery with 10.5 volts !!
KK
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Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 18:13
Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 18:13
KK, trying to charge a 12 volt battery with 10.5 volts would be a worry.
The example is talking about a heavily discharged battery that is being charged, the battery at that point is so low that 10.5 v would be the charge voltage. It is a bit extreme for properly managed discharge environments but not extreme for people who don't manage their batteries properly.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 18:15
Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 18:15
An MPPT Regulator allows you to get more power out of your Panels compared with a standard regulator. You can get UP TO 25% more, under SOME conditions.
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Follow Up By: Member - John M (NSW) - Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 07:09
Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 07:09
Thanks for this info, I have checked out the specs on the Morningstar unit and they appear to be good units if they do everything they say they will.
It appears that a MPPT regulator does in fact obtain more power than normal regulators which when continually consuming power is a good thing.
Thanks for the advice.
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Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 07:41
Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 07:41
John,
You will see that they are about $470 to $500 in Australia. In the US they are about $240 USD ( about A$270) plus postage.
I have purchased from these people as an example of what you can get with prompt service.
Example US supplierShop around, you can get a MPPT cheaper in the US than a cheapie here.
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Follow Up By: Member - John M (NSW) - Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 08:01
Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 08:01
Thanks Boobook2
I sent a few emails to US distributors yesterday and awaiting for a response. I also sent a RFQ to a distributor in Bangkok as I am going to Phuket (mow the grass at our house) and Bangkok (take SWMBO shopping) at the end of the month.
Maybe I can get a good price there and save the freight costs.
Regards
John
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Reply By: paulnsw - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 18:49
Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 18:49
going to be running the generator a bit with 220w panels and the load stated.
Morningstar Prostar 30 with LCD meter. Can be read at a glance with no button pushing and has indicator LEDs includes temperature sensor and requires no setting other than battery type.
Suggest you look at buying extra 120w to 140w panel.
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389994
Reply By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 23:35
Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 23:35
John
Your on the right track from my experiences.
Why would you need a 3500W Pure Sine Wave Invertor? What are you running off this? Keep in mind there is a power loss penalty for just having these things connected. IMHO you should match the inverter to just above what you will be driving. e.g. If your TV draws 65W why not just use a 150-300W inverter?
The other thing I saw recently was ABR Sidewinder was bringing back their small petrol motor driven alternator putting out 70A IIRC. Found it...
at the bottom of the page - 70A Petrol Charger
I'll
camp next to you and get my batteries topped up too. LOL
Malcolm
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 01:12
Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 01:12
Whats the point? - another noisy 800watt genset.
You can buy a cheap chinese and power your battery charger if you want to go down that path.
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Follow Up By: Member - John M (NSW) - Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 07:26
Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 07:26
Malcom
I agree with the invertor size, due to a opportunity in my work I was able to obtain it very cheaply (for free).
All the equipment noted in my thread would naturally not be running all the time and if I had my way the TV & DVD wouldn't even be fitted but SWMBO had to put in her 2 bobs worth of input into the design and requirements. Hence also the possibility of a washing machine which I think for extended trips could be value added.
In January we lost a full day in
St Helens, Tasmania in getiing our laundry done. That day alone would have paid for the washing machine.
I have the Honda 2kva generator which will run everything I need including a 150 amp Invertor welder which will be carried and hopefully never used.
I thought the invertor would be good for running power
tools when needed but this can also be covered by the generator so I will rethink the invertor size.
Thanks for your constructive comments.
John
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Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 11:26
Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 11:26
John,
It's probably the first time I've read someone wants "the most suitable and best / high quality Solar Regulator" without also asking what is the lowest price unit or where to get it at the cheapest price.
What-ever product you end up with I'm sure some here reading your thread will be interested in the same product you sellect and also it's performance on your system.
(what-ever technology you buy today will be obsolete the day after tomorrow)
Maîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: Member - John M (NSW) - Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 12:00
Thursday, Nov 05, 2009 at 12:00
Hi Mainey
I agree with your comments about technology and how things become obsolete very quickly.
Not knowing a great deal about
solar power generation and the efficient way of capturing the maximum energy as this is most probably a science in itself, I decided to ask the
forum on the best or most suitable equipment that everyone is using or has experience with as there is a very diverse and wide range of experts on exploreoz.
I believe that once establishing what the most suitable range of equipment is for the purpose then the shopping starts.
I am spending over $30K on the materials and equipment on this camper trailer and considering the costs of solar panels,AGM batteries,chargers and generators then the equipment that is responsible for managing the efficiency and longevity of the electrical system is extremely important.
In seeing various 30 + amp regulator prices ranging from $150 to $500 this is not a lot in the overall scheme of things.Hence the reason in the way the question in this thread was structured
I see from your profile that you are involved in the solar industry and would be interested in your recommendations.
Kind regards
John
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