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electrical:solar:shallow_cycling [2020/11/30 18:12] frater_secessus [components] |
electrical:solar:shallow_cycling [2021/08/15 17:17] frater_secessus [microsolar without deep-cycle batteries] |
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- | Note: this information should be regarded as experimental. | + | Note: this information should be regarded as experimental. |
====== microsolar without deep-cycle batteries ====== | ====== microsolar without deep-cycle batteries ====== | ||
- | This article describes a small, cheap, simple, space-efficient solar configuration that may be of use to cardwellers | + | This article describes a small, cheap, simple, space-efficient solar configuration that may be of use to car-dwellers |
- | * provides 12v power during daylight | + | Benefits: |
- | * will never deplete the starter battery so you get stranded | + | |
- | * actively maintains the starter battery | + | * extremely inexpensive |
+ | | ||
+ | * will never deplete the starter battery so you get stranded | ||
+ | * actively maintains the starter battery | ||
+ | * taking power from the controller uses less power than using the car's ACCessory position, since other car electronics are not being energized. | ||
Instead of deep-cycling like someone might in an RV, the idea here is the starter battery can be used but never dragged below 100% state of charge)). | Instead of deep-cycling like someone might in an RV, the idea here is the starter battery can be used but never dragged below 100% state of charge)). | ||
+ | It does require a bit of discipline and forethought to run bigger loads during the daytime when excess power is available. | ||
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- a simple [[electrical: | - a simple [[electrical: | ||
- | | + | - power is taken from [[electrical: |
- | - the controller' | + | - the controller' |
- | | + | - the controller' |
+ | | ||
==== components ==== | ==== components ==== | ||
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* vehicle with starter battery (you already have this!) | * vehicle with starter battery (you already have this!) | ||
* simple [[http:// | * simple [[http:// | ||
- | * small solar panel; 100W polycrystalline [[https:// | + | * small solar panel; 100W polycrystalline [[https:// |
* connector of some kind if panel is mounted off-vehicle; | * connector of some kind if panel is mounted off-vehicle; | ||
* wiring from panel to controller and from controller to starter battery | * wiring from panel to controller and from controller to starter battery | ||
- | * [[http:// | + | * [[http:// |
+ | ==== a word about battery voltage and solar power ==== | ||
- | === Low Voltage Reconnect (LVR) setpoint === | + | Simple solar charge controllers like these make different amounts of power depending [[electrical: |
- | The LVR is the point at which the controller turns the LOADs back on. If **running small loads** (charging phones, LED lights) the setpoint may be set fairly low (like 13.0v). | ||
- | If **running larger loads** (fans, laptop chargers) the setpoint should be set higher (like 13.5v - 14.0v). | + | |
+ | * 13.2v (mild Float charging) == 72.6w | ||
+ | * 13.8v (high Float charging) == 75.9w | ||
+ | | ||
- | Note: running a small [[electrical: | + | The trick here is to keep battery voltage high enough to allow for good solar harvest while not hurting |
+ | |||
+ | === Low Voltage Reconnect (LVR) setpoint === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The LVR is the point at which the controller turns the LOADs back on. If **running small loads** (charging phones, LED lights) the setpoint may be set fairly low (like 13.0v). | ||
+ | If **running larger loads** (fans, laptop chargers) the setpoint should be set higher (like 13.5v - 14.0v). | ||
+ | Note: running a small [[electrical: | ||