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borisvonf
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2011 12:37pm
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i have been using a 60 watt kit from northern tool - 4 panels of 15 w each with 7 amp charge controller - for over a year now and things were working well. i you would guess, i keep taking more stuff to the cabin (added ceiling fans to mix the heat, tv for football, and can run electric easily for 24 hours off the battery. the problem is that it is taking much longer to recharge the battery.
the questions:
can i add more solar panels to the system?
do i have to add only 15 w panels or would i be better off converting old system to water pump only and starting over with larger system for other power uses?
i know i will need to upgrade charge controller. any suggestions?
as always, thank you in advance to the community for the help and support
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2011 12:56pm
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If you have another use for the existing panels and charge controller, I would buy new larger panel(s) and a new charge controller. If possible get an MPPT type of controller as they do make much better use of the PV generated power in less than optimal sun conditions.
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goodsgardensheds
Member
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# Posted: 14 Dec 2011 10:49am
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Hello...
I believe that at your place should be able to use the solar during the sunny days and using wind turbine for cloudy days and at night. Calculate your usage, then start adding batteries for your backup and at night. But you are correct, a low end genset is a lot easier as only need one set of batteries and don't have to swap out which is a pain. where you do not need the system all the time. To generate that much energy with solar in Idaho summer insolation of 6.3 hours with system losses added in would take 450 watts of solar panels. In addition would take about 475 pound battery or 600 Amp Hours @ 12 volts. That is only for the CRAP machine and nothing else.
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