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opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes [2022/04/19 18:52]
frater_secessus [Too much battery] 		opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes [2022/06/06 11:52]
frater_secessus [Failure to ask good questions]
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   * picky eaters   * picky eaters
  
 +Further reading:  [[https://cheaprvliving.com/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-live-in-a-vehicle/|Do You Have What It Takes to Live in a Vehicle?]], particular the section about it being 90% //self// and 10% //stuff//.
 ===== Planning ===== ===== Planning =====
  
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 Having no solar at all is generally an unforced error for vandwellers.  Even [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|adding small amounts of panel]] (100w) can make a big difference, and can be added to an [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator-charged system]] for as little as $100.((100w poly panel on sale for $90, 10A [[electrical:solar:shunt_tweaking|shunt controller]] for $10.)) Having no solar at all is generally an unforced error for vandwellers.  Even [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|adding small amounts of panel]] (100w) can make a big difference, and can be added to an [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator-charged system]] for as little as $100.((100w poly panel on sale for $90, 10A [[electrical:solar:shunt_tweaking|shunt controller]] for $10.))
  
 +==== believing 100w of panel will make 100w all day long ====
 +
 +The 100w panel will make 100w in a lab in test conditions.  Your van is not in a lab in test conditions.  
 +
 +  - the panel will rarely make anywhere close to 100w((under normal conditions))
 +  - the max power it //does// make will be around local solar noon.  Before and after that power will be less. 
 +
 +Example:  Albuquerque, NM  on May 15, 2022.((assuming clear skies, no shade, MPPT, total system efficiency 85%))
 +
 +^ Time ^ Watts ^
 +|6:02a |0w|
 +|7:02a |15.9w|
 +|8:02A |32.8w|
 +|9:02A |48.7w|
 +|10:02A |62.3w|
 +|11:02A |72.8w|
 +|12:02A |79.39w|
 +|**1:02p** - local solar noon |81.7w|
 +|2:02 |79.5w|
 +|3:02p |72.9w|
 +|4:02p |62.5w|
 +|5:02p |48.9w|
 +|6:02p |33.1w|
 +|7:02p |16.2w|
 +|8:02p |0w|
 +
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 +See the //not enough panel// section below. 
 +
 +==== shade ====
 +
 +Shade will wreck solar harvest.  Beginners often don't pay attention to shade conditions, including shade thrown by objects on the van roof itself.  
 ==== Worrying ==== ==== Worrying ====
  
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 Don't get me started on people **flat-mounting poly/mono flex panels to the roof of their van**.  Maximum cost, maximum power loss due to temp derating, //and// with the bonus of blasting re-radiated heat right through the van roof.  It's a crap trifecta.  Don't get me started on people **flat-mounting poly/mono flex panels to the roof of their van**.  Maximum cost, maximum power loss due to temp derating, //and// with the bonus of blasting re-radiated heat right through the van roof.  It's a crap trifecta. 
 +
 +=== mixing different panels ===
 +
 +Mixing differently-rated panels will always be sub-optimal.  People  who know what they are doing can minimize the losses.  Beginners should either buy identical panels or run different types on separate controllers. 
  
 === Panel types and controllers === === Panel types and controllers ===
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 Understand that **efficiency is a relationship between rated output and physical panel size**:  a high-efficiency 100w panel will not make more power than a low-efficiency 100w panel.  It //will// be smaller.   Understand that **efficiency is a relationship between rated output and physical panel size**:  a high-efficiency 100w panel will not make more power than a low-efficiency 100w panel.  It //will// be smaller.  
 This means **if you have limited space you will get more power out of of the same space using higher-efficiency panels**.  That's it.  A 100w panel is a 100w panel, no matter how efficient.  Only the real estate needed to generate that 100w is different. Efficiency doesn't mean you'll get more or less power from a 100w panel.  So don't spend the extra $$$ on high-efficiency panels unless you need it to get max power out of limited roofspace. This means **if you have limited space you will get more power out of of the same space using higher-efficiency panels**.  That's it.  A 100w panel is a 100w panel, no matter how efficient.  Only the real estate needed to generate that 100w is different. Efficiency doesn't mean you'll get more or less power from a 100w panel.  So don't spend the extra $$$ on high-efficiency panels unless you need it to get max power out of limited roofspace.
 +
 +==== Mismatched panels ====
 +
 +Mismatched panels (different voltage or current [[electrical:solar:panels#specifications|spec]]) on the same controller will hamstring one another.  It's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_tennis_terms#unforced_error|an unforced error]] which you can avoid this by:
 +
 +  * running //identical//((not close, not same maker, not same wattage, not kinda  look the same, IDENTICAL)) panels on the same controller; or
 +  * run different-spec panels on their own controller
 +
 +If you are committed to running mismatched panels on the same controller see [[https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=alt-e+mismatched|this series of videos by Alt-E]] on the subject.  
 +
  
 ==== Not enough panel ==== ==== Not enough panel ====
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   * [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#research|do your homework]]:  read, browse, watch youtube videos, google, **use the ding-dang search function** of the forum, subreddit, etc.   * [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#research|do your homework]]:  read, browse, watch youtube videos, google, **use the ding-dang search function** of the forum, subreddit, etc.
   * when you hit a wall //then// ask for help.  No one likes leeches, princesses, helpless snowflakes, or the lazy who expect others to do the work for them.     * when you hit a wall //then// ask for help.  No one likes leeches, princesses, helpless snowflakes, or the lazy who expect others to do the work for them.  
-  * express your request as clearly and simply as possible +  * express your request as clearly and simply as possible, including what you intend to accomplish 
-  * indicate what you do know, [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#research|what you have already read]] or tried, and any important details like what you are trying to accomplish, **the make/model of any components you are using**.  "My van don't go.  Help." is unlikely to generate usable advice. +  * shouldn't have to say this, but here we are:  list **the make/model of any components you are using** and how they are connected 
-  * use human-readable style.  Avoid run-on sentences, "wall of text" word vomit with no organization, punctuation, or paragraph breaks. +  * indicate what you do know, [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#research|what you have already read]] or tried 
-  * write a concise and specific title.  "Configuring a Morningstar TS-45 MPPT" is good.  "don't understand solar!!!!!!!!" is not so good. "Can anyone answer this??!?" is annoying and manipulative.  Also, any title that includes the word "anyone" indicates a low-effort question.  Why should //we// care if //you// don't?+  * write a concise and specific title.  "Configuring a Morningstar TS-45 MPPT" is good.  "don't understand solar!!!!!!!!" is not so good. "Can anyone answer this??!?" is annoying and manipulative.  Also, any title that includes the word "anyone" indicates a low-effort question that could likely be answered by a 10-second search.  Why should //we// care if //you// don't? 
 +  * write the post in normal, human-readable style.  Avoid run-on sentences, "wall of text" word vomit with no organization, punctuation, or paragraph breaks.  We aren't writing  masters thesis here but write it so the post wouldn't give your 8th grade English teacher a stroke.  
 + 
  
 > I am always surprised to see some people demanding the time of others and meeting a most obliging response. Both sides have in view the reason for which the time is asked and neither regards the time itself — as if nothing there is being asked for and nothing given.  - Seneca > I am always surprised to see some people demanding the time of others and meeting a most obliging response. Both sides have in view the reason for which the time is asked and neither regards the time itself — as if nothing there is being asked for and nothing given.  - Seneca
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   * is the responder an idiot, a druggie, a zero-experience dreamer, a poorly-informed blowhard, a black/white thinker?     * is the responder an idiot, a druggie, a zero-experience dreamer, a poorly-informed blowhard, a black/white thinker?  
   * is the advice upvoted/downvoted/liked by onlookers?   * is the advice upvoted/downvoted/liked by onlookers?
 +  * is the advice commented on favorably by onlookers whose opinion you value?
   * does the responder have experience and/or training in the area?   * does the responder have experience and/or training in the area?
   * does the responder expect you to believe him/her as gospel?     * does the responder expect you to believe him/her as gospel?  
opinion/frater_secessus/beginner_mistakes.txt · Last modified: 2024/04/07 11:20 by frater_secessus

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