solar setup questions.

**discowhite** · 19th December 2009, 09:46 PM

so im wanting to put 2 extra batteries, one in the car and one in the camper, or maybe both in the camper.
either way im using a traxide SC40 dual batt controller kit.
i would like to use an 80w mono panel. now not being up on the whole solar thing can you guys give me feed back as to wether im going in the right direction?

i want to use 2x delkor DC31 batteries.
12v, 100AH, Maintenance Free DEEP CYCLE BATTERY
Ideal for low power demand applications
Solar Powered applications
Sealed installations e.g., Yachts, Caravans etc.

im looking at this type of panel
MaximumPower(Wp)
80W
MaximumPowerVoltage(V)
17.6V
MaximumPower Current(A)
4.54A
OpenCircuitVoltage(V)
21.6V
ShortCircuitCurrent(A)
5.43A
Number of cells(Pcs)
36PCS
Size of Module(mm)
552mm*1108mm*30mm

Module weight
8.0kg
Packing
Worthy Export
Dimesion of carton

560mm*1116mm*40mm （MONO）

MaximumSystemVoltage(V)
1000V
Wind Bearing
≥72%120km/h
Output tolerance (%)
+/-5%
Temperature Range
-40℃～+80℃
Cell Efficiency (%)
（MONO 16%）
Frame(Material,Corners,etc)
Aluminum alloy
Standard Test Contions
AM:1.5,Irradiation:1000W/M2,Tc:25℃
Warranty
5years product warranty and25 years lifetime

and probably this type of reg??if i need one??

Model no.

Parameters

20A Solar Controller

Rated Voltage（VDC）

12 ; 24

Rated Current（A）

20

Max. input Voltage（V）

25 ; 50

Over-Charge

（V）

Protection

17V ; x2/24V

Resume

14.6V ; x2/24V

Over-Discharge

（V）

Cut-off

11.1V ; x2/24V

Resume

13.1V ; x2/24V

Over-Loaded

Cut-off

16.5V ; 33V

Resume

15.0V ; 30V

Voltage Drop（V）

Between input and batteries

0.26

Between batteries

and load

0.15

No Load Current Draw（mA）

≤6

Height（M）

≤5500

Control mode

PWM charge mode;

modified discharge voltage by the discharge rate

now i'll be running a CF40 fridge (up to 6 amps), 2x 12v fans(1.8amp ea), a 12v water pump(7amps max) and 3x 8watt fluros.

cheers phil

**Blknight.aus** · 19th December 2009, 11:28 PM

you're heading in the right direction...

back of the napkin says that from fully charged, without risking your batteries longevity without the panel providng anythingyou should be good for about 3 days providing you dont use the fans too much and providing your reasonable on the fridge setting and youd make 4, mayyybe 5 with the panel

you should be able to go longer but you risk over discharging the batteries.

**discowhite** · 20th December 2009, 08:18 AM

thanks dave, the fans are to keep the new born and the mum happy, less stress=more sleep

the fridge is in a thermo bag and would be lucky to see 1/2 power.

cheers phil

**weeds** · 20th December 2009, 11:23 AM

looks alright to me.....there was a thread recently on the best place to install the regulator i.e at the solar panel or at the batt.

i have two separate solar setup with the regulator installed at the two different locations and i do not notice any difference in performance.....the panel with the reg mounted in the control box is more versatile as i can move it around and plug into either the car, camper, a friends car/camper if they are having bat trouble....

oh, and just keep adding solar panels as your requirement for power increases

Mandrake · 8th January 2010, 06:10 PM

Discowhite ,

If you need to see fairly closely what your intended setup will allow - I have a small excel spreadsheet - solar calculator - which I can send to you if you like .. Its fairly basic but allows you to put the items in with their respective power usage and the amount of time you would use them - eg lights for 3 hours per day etc .. Fridge 24/7 ...

Let me know if you would like a copy .. and anyone else that reads this -
Maybe I can pop it on the website someplace - Do you have a file swap area ?

let me know if I can help

I've attached the Calculator xls file below - Just fill in the green cells - its already setup with some data - just add your own.
Any questions - PM or email or here..

Rgds

Steve

**hoadie72** · 9th January 2010, 12:25 AM

I'd be interested in seeing it too thanks. FYI you can attach up to 10meg ZIP files.

**dullbird** · 11th January 2010, 10:42 AM

I didn't realise an SC40 could do two batteries in the car and one in the trailer I thought thats what the SC80 did

**discowhite** · 11th January 2010, 03:14 PM

trailer will be stand alone for now

**Redback** · 13th January 2010, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by discowhite

thanks dave, the fans are to keep the new born and the mum happy, less stress=more sleep

the fridge is in a thermo bag and would be lucky to see 1/2 power.

cheers phil

Run the fans from the second battery in the car, that will keep more power for your fridge and extend your stay.

Baz.

**discowhite** · 13th January 2010, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Redback

Run the fans from the second battery in the car, that will keep more power for your fridge and extend your stay.

Baz.

i can run 1 fan from the N120 in 12hrs of being on the battery only looses .4 of a volt

and thats with the lights on in the camper too... so i can probably run 2 fans, the lights and the fridge for 3 day easy, just off the battery in the camper.

cheers phil

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