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opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes [2024/06/30 11:27]
frater_secessus [believing solar makes zero watts in rain, overcast, etc] 		opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes [2024/11/26 15:14] (current)
frater_secessus [mounting or deploying tilted panels facing the wrong direction]
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 ---- ----
 ===== Electrical Power ===== ===== Electrical Power =====
 +
 +==== believing that "I don't know anything about electricity" means there are easy answers to power questions ====
 +
 +If you "don't understand this stuff" you have a few choices:
 +
 +  * [[electrical:12v:intro|learn enough to get the job done]] (traditional and //highly// recommended);((if/when the system breaks later you will know where and what everything is and how to replace it)) or
 +  * buy random stuff and hope (depressingly common after 2018); or
 +  * sit in the dark with no power; or
 +  * pay someone to design and install a system for you
 +
  
 ==== Thinking like an apartment-dweller ==== ==== Thinking like an apartment-dweller ====
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 ==== believing 100w of panel will make 100w all year ==== ==== believing 100w of panel will make 100w all year ====
  
-Solar harvest is greatly affected by the position of the sun in the sky (see above) and how many hours of that sun are available.  A crude generalization is that [[https://mouse.mousetrap.net/blog/2021-12-12-Summer-vs-Winter-solar-harvest-.html|winter harvest will be about half]] of summer harvest.  +Solar harvest is greatly affected by the position of the sun in the sky (see above) and how many hours of that sun are available.  [[https://mouse.mousetrap.net/blog/2021-12-12-Summer-vs-Winter-solar-harvest-.html|Winter harvest will be much lower]] than summer harvest but you'll have to [[electrical:solar:pvwatts|run the numbers for your time/place]] to get specifics.   
 + 
 +Note:  folks who will use the rig year-'round would do well to choose array wattage based on deep winter((typically December in the northern hemisphere)) when yield is lowest.
  
 ==== believing 100w of panel will make 100w in all conditions ==== ==== believing 100w of panel will make 100w in all conditions ====
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 ==== mounting or deploying panels where they will be shaded ==== ==== mounting or deploying panels where they will be shaded ====
  
-It is soul-destroying to watch someone spend money and expend effort to mount solar, then put the panels where they will be [[electrical:solar:output#shade|shaded]].  It's like buying a sports car then driving around with the parking brake on all the time. +It is soul-destroying to watch someone spend money and expend effort to mount solar, then put the panels where they will be [[electrical:solar:output#shade|shaded]].  It's like buying a sports car then driving around with the parking brake on all the time. Own goal.  Unforced error.
  
 Rule of thumb:  nothing on the vehicle should be taller than the surface of the solar panels Rule of thumb:  nothing on the vehicle should be taller than the surface of the solar panels
  
  
-==== mounting or deploying tilted panels facing the wrong direct  ====+==== mounting or deploying tilted panels facing the wrong direction  ====
  
 Rules of thumb:   Rules of thumb:  
  
-* if panels are tilted and won't be repositioned they should face south in the northern hemisphere, and north in the southern hemisphere.   +  * if panels are tilted and won't be repositioned they should face south in the northern hemisphere, and north in the southern hemisphere.  Look up monthly tilt calculator to see how they should be positioned.  
-* if they *will* be repositioned then you have to keep up with the moves or harvest can be worse than just facing south. +  * if they *will* be repositioned then you have to keep up with the moves or harvest can be worse than just facing south. 
  
  
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 ===== Staying in one place ===== ===== Staying in one place =====
  
-A common mistake is the belief (or wish) to stay in one place for free.  You can't stay in one place [[camping:dispersed|on public land]] for very long (14 days is common) and staying in one places while  +A common mistake is the belief (or wish) to [[opinion:frater_secessus:stayinginoneplace|stay in one place for free]].  
-[[camping:stealth_camping|stealth camping]] is a recipe for police interaction.   +
- +
-Even if one has a friend who is willing to let you "live in the driveway" [[https://mouse.mousetrap.net/boondocking/haters.html|the neighbors and/or municipality will typically object]].+
  
  
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 .  . 
  
->> I have [a Renogy DCC50S with a 25v input limit], 6x 100w panels, currently wired as 3x 2 panel **series** in parallel, [and destroyed the controller].  I already replaced it once for the same issue and I can’t figure out what’s going on...+>> I have [a Renogy DCC50S with a 25v input limit], 6x 100w panels, currently wired as 3x 2 panel **series** - parallel, [and destroyed the controller].  I already replaced it once for the same issue and I can’t figure out what’s going on... 
 + 
 +.  
 + 
 +>> I just got a MaxxAir fan, but due to the space on my roof, I can only install it facing sideways 
 + 
 +===== bottom feeding ===== 
 + 
 +Buying something blindly because it's the cheapest you could find is not a path to success.  
 + 
 +  - figure out what you need 
 +  - find products that meet those needs 
 +  - //only then// start looking for sales 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 ===== Advice ===== ===== Advice =====
 Good advice can save time, money, and heartbreak. But getting good advice is not simple or even natural. We have to slow down and force ourselves to think about the issues, our questions, the existing body of knowledge, the answers we receive. Good advice can save time, money, and heartbreak. But getting good advice is not simple or even natural. We have to slow down and force ourselves to think about the issues, our questions, the existing body of knowledge, the answers we receive.
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 ==== making helpers guess ==== ==== making helpers guess ====
  
-If you are asking for help don't make the helpers guess what you are trying to accomplish, what gear you have, whether or not it has ever worked, etc.  People across the internet cannot see what's in front of you -- all we have to go on is what you tell us.  +If you are asking for help don't make the helpers guess: 
 + 
 +  * exactly gear you have and how it is connected & configured.  Links to the product or documentation will be helpful.   
 +  * whether or not it has ever worked 
 +  * what you are trying to accomplish 
 +  * etc. 
 +    
 +    
 +People across the internet cannot see what's in front of you or what it's doing -- all we have to go on is what you tell us.  So please tell us as clearly as you can.  
  
 You may want to start a text document that lists all the installed gear and significant settings so  You may want to start a text document that lists all the installed gear and significant settings so 
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 ==== thrashing ==== ==== thrashing ====
  
-//Thrashing// is getting whipped into a frenzy of questions, non-comprehension, and failure to learn.  Thrashing often presents as asking the same thread in many forums/subreddits, bailing on existing threads to make new ones similar or identical, etc.  It is like watching a drowning person nearly drown a lifeguard.  +//Thrashing// is getting whipped into a frenzy of questions, non-comprehension, and frustration.  Thrashing often presents as overcomplicated Rube Goldberg ideas, asking the same thread in many forums/subreddits, bailing on existing threads to make new ones similar or identical, arguing with experienced helpers, etc.  
  
 Slow down.  //Listen// to what people are telling you.  Think about what you want to accomplish.  Express your thoughts clearly.   Slow down.  //Listen// to what people are telling you.  Think about what you want to accomplish.  Express your thoughts clearly.  
opinion/frater_secessus/beginner_mistakes.1719761244.txt.gz · Last modified: 2024/06/30 11:27 by frater_secessus

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