low //float voltages//((≤13.4v)), or [[electrical:solar:status#setups_with_no_float|no float at all]]
... cal:12v:b2b|DC-DC]] is present
* [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charging]] (profiles, configurability, output rating, protections if any)
*... ical change from lead-battery charging.
===== solar charging =====
Here we need to be careful about
ase
===== must I use the PS brand's proprietary solar panels? =====
No, you can use any panel that mee... nts. Consult the power station's [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator#solar_charging_limits|solar ("PV") input specs]] and buy panel[s] whose [[electrical:solar:panels#specificatio
ms of protection: BMS low temp charging shutoff, solar or DC-DC low temp charging cutoff, etc.(("belt an... a wash =====
With "soft" charging like a small solar setup it's a wash. a matter of preference and co...
With robust charging (alternator and/or bigger solar) there can be charging opportunities lost with se...
Note from Secessus: "since reading [[https://diysolarforum.com/threads/why-you-cannot-charge-lifepo4-be
ep my van at a decent temperature]]? Can I [[hvac:solar ac|run an air conditioner]] while parked?
* Is there a [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|basic guide to solar power]]? What about a "[[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|solar generator]]"?
* How do I [[communication:
fair amount of the bulk charging done and let the solar finish it off the rest of the day. -- jimindenver... ]] batteries healthy, so [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|combining with solar]] is common
[[opinion:frater_secessus:pareto|about these summaries]]
===== overvi... eply discharged
* when [[electrical:12v:alt and solar|combined with solar]] or some other higher-voltag
> A good solar system is one that meets //your// needs. -- jimindenver((paraphrased))
> "...trying to t... rvliving.com/forums/Thread-Too-much-or-too-little-Solar?pid=116253#pid116253)) (Bob from Cheap RV Living)
> Setting up solar that //works// is easy. Setting up solar that //works well// and //under challenging conditions// is mu
onsumes **29,000**Wh of power per day.
- A 100w solar panel on an MPPT [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|controller]] will harvest an average of:
* Chi... ter kettles
* electric space heaters
* [[hvac:solar_ac|air conditioners]]
* electric coffee makers
... nvested thousands of dollars in battery banks and solar, or run a [[electrical:generator|generator]]
Ele
estyle:words_of_wisdom|Words of wisdom]]: //"Any Solar is better than no solar, but having too much solar is difficult. The best solar systems are those which can keep the batteries the happiest. Happy batteri
t can affect that." -- Cariboocoot((https://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/152013#Comment_152013))
====== Factors affecting solar panel output ======
For various reasons **it wil... under great conditions, and much less under poor solar conditions. And about half of that in winter.
=... location and season both have profound effects on solar harvest. [[opinion:frater_secessus:panelsizesfori
keep it at the set point voltage. -- [[https://diysolarforum.com/threads/controlling-charge-from-multiple... scenarios output might be limited by [[https://diysolarforum.com/threads/many-here-say-that-an-alternator... outside the case to reduce this heat((https://diysolarforum.com/threads/many-here-say-that-an-alternator... ered on the alternator output DC bus.((https://diysolarforum.com/threads/alternator-dc-dc-charger-compare
nsive (and maybe impossible) get Big Current with solar alone and difficult (or even impossible) to compl... on alternator alone. But [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|small amounts of both combine]] to make a workabl... expensive charging system.
For this reason the solar + alternator combination is the most common and e... -daily**, or live in an area of poor [[electrical:solar:output|insolation]].
For many people [[electri
arger
* charging by [[electrical:12v:mandatory_solar|alternator alone]] but not driving some days
* ... thinking in fractional days =====
[[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|Solar]] and [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]] charging are different.
==== alter... ther than 2.0 to get through the weekend.
==== solar ====
In any given 24hr period [[opinion:frater_s
ectricity in summer." -- timselectric((https://diysolarforum.com/threads/less-than-perfect-off-grid-syste... a DIY power system from scratch. See [[opinion:solar:sizing.walkthrough|this article]] for a sample wa... system]].
===== overall economics =====
Since solar is dependent on local conditions one has to size ... winter, high latitudes, bad weather. This means solar is relatively expensive when used alone where sol
hade will be complicated." -- sensij((https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/solar-panels-for-home/solar-panel-installation/365350-understanding-shade-and-low-light-conditions?p=365396#po... ave surprisingly dramatic effects on [[electrical:solar:output|panel output]]. Perhaps counterintuivitely
