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opinion:solar:sizing [2022/05/08 11:13] frater_secessus [solar panels] |
opinion:solar:sizing [2022/05/24 15:13] frater_secessus [overall economics] |
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[[lifestyle: | [[lifestyle: | ||
- | ====== | + | ====== |
There are many [[electrical: | There are many [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | See [[opinion: | ||
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In general, bigger systems (higher wattage panels, bigger controllers, | In general, bigger systems (higher wattage panels, bigger controllers, | ||
- | Broadly speaking, lithium chemistries are most cost-effective when the camping experience is expected to last for many years and the batteries stored inside.((Note that it is false economy to pay for 10 years of battery cycling (as with lithium) if one is going to wreck it in 2 years)). | + | |
==== days of reserve ==== | ==== days of reserve ==== | ||
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Sizing for an overnight camping trip is easy; sizing for a three day trip a challenge; | Sizing for an overnight camping trip is easy; sizing for a three day trip a challenge; | ||
+ | ===== battery bank ===== | ||
- | ===== solar panels | + | Once you know your daily power and reserve requirements you can spec out a battery |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Having an **undersized bank** means //running out of power// at night. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Having an **oversized lead bank** for your charging ability results in [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | IMO, with lead chemistries((flooded, | ||
+ | |||
+ | You will **need somewhat more Ah capacity** | ||
+ | |||
+ | * if you have undersized solar | ||
+ | * you have lead-chemistry battery bank | ||
+ | |||
+ | You will need **somewhat less Ah capacity** | ||
+ | |||
+ | * if you run loads in the daytime instead of at night | ||
+ | * if you have [[electrical: | ||
+ | * you have lithium-chemistry battery bank((can be ~0.62% the size of the lead bank, due to deeper [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== solar charging | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== solar panels | ||
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- | ===== solar charge controller | + | ==== solar charge controller ==== |
- | ==== controller choice ==== | ||
+ | === controller choice === | ||
- | Most people do fine with a PWM controller. | + | The [[electrical: |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Most people do fine with a PWM controller. | ||
You may **want an MPPT controller**: | You may **want an MPPT controller**: | ||
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- | ==== controller sizing | + | === controller sizing === |
[[electrical: | [[electrical: | ||
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- | |||
- | ===== battery bank ===== | ||
- | Having an **undersized bank** means //running out of power// at night. | ||
- | |||
- | Having an **oversized lead bank** for your charging ability results in [[electrical: | ||
- | |||
- | IMO, it is better to have an undersized bank you can charge //fully and consistently// | ||
- | |||
- | You will **need somewhat more Ah capacity** | ||
- | |||
- | * if you have undersized solar | ||
- | |||
- | You will need **somewhat less Ah capacity** | ||
- | |||
- | * if you run loads in the daytime instead of at night | ||
- | * if you have [[electrical: | ||
===== alternator charging ===== | ===== alternator charging ===== | ||
- | For most people living in vehicles [[electrical: | + | For many people living in vehicles [[electrical: |
You will need **some kind of alternator charging** | You will need **some kind of alternator charging** | ||
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* you have a voltage-sensitive battery like gel or lithium | * you have a voltage-sensitive battery like gel or lithium | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== generator charging ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | You may need a generator if: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * you need to run big loads like A/C | ||
+ | * you have a lithium battery bank but camp in long stretches with minimal solar. | ||
+ | * you have enough solar to [[electrical: | ||