voltage to specific charging voltage [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|setpoints]] and limit... ion as it might seem since lead-acid [[electrical:solar:status#in_absorption|current acceptance drops sub... ach day.)) This is where [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|a bit of solar helps with the long-duration duties]].
DC-DC chargers are often triggered by the IGN cir
ected components) or pre-made ("power stations", "solar generators"). Regardless of your choice, ensure ... r]].((or doing something exotic like [[electrical:solar:shallow_cycling|shallow cycling]]))
===== H...
* **Easy to run** off a small [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|portable power station]]((which you wil... small ($) house power system: Example: 200w of solar and 100Ah of battery.
* Small [[food:refri
h this page was written with alternator-augmented solar charging in mind, the general principles also apply to solar+[[electrical:shore_power|shore power charging]] and solar+[[electrical:generator|generator]] charging. Also... ical:12v:power_mix|Deciding on a Power Mix]].
> Solar and DC-DC alternator charging are going to be the
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
|DIY LiFePO4 Battery Banks subforum]] over on DIY Solar. You can also see the [[electrical:12v:lifepo4_b... al heaters.
The [[https://diysolarforum.com/|DIY Solar Forums]] are a good place to check for updated in... ently than Pb, so less charging power is wasted. Solar charging in particular will act larger than it is... mentation|here]] - secessus]
Note: [[electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking|due to the relatively low voltages]]
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
====== Is solar mandatory? ======
Solar isn't //mandatory//. Here are some cases where it might not be worth the troub... d-chemistry batteries (flooded, AGM, gel etc).
Solar is incredibly useful for nomads with lead-chemist... ason why they would plan a build without //some// solar. Even just [[electrical:solar:builds#w|a small a
ouse battery]] charging sources:
* [[electrical:solar|solar]]
* [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]]
* [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]]
* [[electrical:generator|generator]]
* etc
Some solar installs will even have separate [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|charge controllers]] running their
voltage is rarely useful in the field since:
- solar charging alone is rarely able to hit charge curre... s.((https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/off-grid-solar/batteries-energy-storage/14996-trojan-t-105-vs-cr... stilled water occasionally.
Common [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|setpoints]] (check yo... g current** than flooded, and it may be more than solar-only setups can provide.((http://www.cheaprvlivin
concurrent charging source]] for an alternator is solar.
**Example**: Let's assume the same 14.0v alternator output and solar contribution that pushes up Vbatt by 0.3V
* I=... v-**13.0v**)/0.020mR = 1.0v/0.020mR = 50A without solar
* I=V/R = (14v-**13.3v**)/0.020mR = 0.7v/0.020mR = 35A with solar
Note: this occurs because alternators are volta
s written from the standpoint of the [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]]. It affects all circuits to some degree and is not limited to solar. -- secessus]
In typical installs the charge con... And it may //not// be a problem since since
- solar-only charging is often low-current charging, mini
Some [[electrical:12v:b2b#examples_-_combo_with_solar_charge_controller|combo DC-DC chargers]] contain logic to maintain the starter battery when solar power is present.
Some standalone solar charge controllers like the [[https://amzn.to/2PPTD2L|Morningst... or example, charge the start battery with 10% of solar harvest and the house battery with 90% using diff
devices; phones and tablets require [[electrical:solar:frugal|much less power]]. Pretty much the only c... charge your laptop while driving or [[electrical:solar:nonessential|when the system has excess solar power]] it's basically charging "for free".
===== virt
shunt cannot be counted.**
Note: [[electrical:solar:status|Watching amps trail off]] at the end of le... to the app or directly to other Victron gear like solar charge controllers.((the Orion-TR is a notable an... d operate their [[https://amzn.to/2SuOYmr|SX-2030 solar charge controller]]. The monitor will still prov
v:deep_cycle_battery|batteries]] and [[electrical:solar:panels|solar panels]] can be used independently or combined. If combined, they are connected //in serie... ples we will consider //two items// -- batteries, solar panels, etc.
**Series** connections **double th