Date:         Mon, 29 Oct 2018 21:04:34 -0500
Reply-To:     tom ring <taring@TARING.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         tom ring <taring@TARING.ORG>
Organization: Tippen Ringware
Subject:      Re: Lead Acid Battery Bank and Solar Charging
In-Reply-To:  <0d4624fe-bfa2-0ea9-0572-d465dcbe54cc@williamsitconsulting.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

The most important thing to get is a Maximum Power Point Tracking Charge
Controller. The cheap controllers are about 30% efficient. The switching
controllers are about 60. The MPPT controllers are 97%. So efficient they don't
need a heat sink.

I've been running off of a 200 watt 12 volt panel for 8 years on 200AH of AGM
UPS batteries. The batteries are still in perfect shape.

The controller I run is no longer available, but the company has newer
generation controllers which seem to cover the same needs.

https://www.morningstarcorp.com/products/prostar-mppt/

Good luck, and if you need any help feel free to drop me a note. I've helped
some Westy people with installs since I did mine.

Tom

> What's the total amp hours of the batteries?
>
> On 15/10/2018 11:54 AM, Steven Johnson wrote:
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I have a bank of 10 lead acid batteries that I would like to maintain with
> > 100 watt solar panel.
> >
> > What configuration should I use?   What charge controller/monitor?
> >
> > Any help appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Steven
> > 91 Westy
>



------
Tom Ring K0TAR EN35ha
Metro Skywarn ID 833

2010 Jetta 2.5 - MAC #42 HS - Don't Panic!
1985 Westfalia Vanagon Camper

"It is better to go into a turn slow, and come out fast, than to go into a
 turn fast and come out dead." Stirling Moss

Autocross saves gas.... I no longer brake for turns.