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Fordriver
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# Posted: 6 Feb 2017 08:06am
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Looking for info on a small solar setup for my weekend cabin. I plan on 5 or 6 led lights, ceiling and box fans and the capability of charging cell phone. Probably will expand in the future too.
I can stay all 12v or go with an inverter to AC.
1. 285 watt solar panel
2. 30 amp midnite brat charge controller pwm
3. 2 @ 12 volt deep cycle marine batteries
Will this work? Advice please.... Thanks
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 6 Feb 2017 09:15am
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Add some fuses ,and some wire and It will be more than enough small inverter can come any time after..
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 6 Feb 2017 09:48am
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Quoting: Fordriver 3. 2 @ 12 volt deep cycle marine batteries
2 x 6 volt golf cart batteries are better; roughly same capacity, eliminates the parallel connection, should last longer
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Mike 870
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# Posted: 6 Feb 2017 02:44pm
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Your 285 watt solar panel is probably not meant to pair with a PWM controller, unless you're going to run a 24 volt bank. With a 12v bank and a PWM controller u need to make sure to use 12v nominal panels. U can tell if a panel is a 12v nominal by looking at the sticker. Vmp will be around 17-18 volts.
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Fordriver
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2017 06:42am
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Thanks for the info guys.
MtnDon........I can do the 6 volt batteries.
Mike.........Am I ok if I just switch to a mppt controller?
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Mike 870
Member
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2017 09:56am
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Yea you could either switch controller or switch panels. 12v panels are around a dollar a watt shipped. The big grid tie panels are cheaper per watt but sometimes freight shipping makes them less attractive for smaller systems.
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2017 11:06am
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The morningstar mppt is reliable. There's a new prostar that looks good. You really only need 15a. 30 amps gives you add on room...
I'd stick with one higher v panel and mppt. You'll be able to grow the system more easily. It's more efficient.
And look into lithium batteries. Much longer life etc.
Of course i'd also go with a small inverter. Watch your appliance costs. It can be well worth while to pay the ac inverter cost and save vs dc appliance costs.
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buckybuck
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2017 12:58pm
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What do you mean by expanding in the future—are you thinking about going from a weekend cabin to a full-time cabin? That’s going to make a lot of difference in your setup.
However, if you’re planning to continue utilizing your cabin as a weekend getaway. I’d start slow. I’ve been playing with an off-grid, weekend getaway for 7 years now, and keep finding ways to cut my power needs. For example, a propane refrigerator is fascinating, but after a few years of fiddling with empty propane tanks, balky circuit boards, and bugs clogging the exhaust vent, I realized all I really needed for a weekend cabin was a nice Coleman cooler. Beer stays just as cold and delicious whether it’s cooled by ice or propane, and even TV dinners are going to be okay if kept in a cooler for no more than two or three days.
I power my LED lights with USB power banks that I charge at home and take with me to the cabin. A 5000 mAh power bank will power the most powerful 5-volt LED light for at least 5 hours. That’s long enough to last me the entire weekend; if not, there are plenty of options for recharging these power banks.
Although I’ve seen USB table fans, my guess is you’ll need at least 12-volt fans to notice any real cooling effect. I bypass that problem by staying ensconced in my air conditioned home rather than going to the cabin whenever weekend high temperatures are projected to reach the upper 80’s or above.
Last year, I got rid of my 140 watt solar panel and went back to my old 45 watt Harbor Freight solar panels, hooked up to a cheap controller and a marine battery. That’s plenty for my stays at my weekend cabin. I mainly use the battery once a day for about three minutes to power the 12-volt on-demand water pump that I use in the shower. I also have a USB cigarette lighter adapter that I hook up to the marine battery and use that to recharge my phone, tablet and power banks.
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Mike 870
Member
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2017 01:23pm
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The new Morningstar Prostar Gen 3 PWM controller does look awesome. There is an hour long webinar on Morningstar's YouTube channel about it. The midnight Brat also looks very impressive in the 30 amp PWM category. I'd also consider the Bogart controller that pairs with the trimetric. Lot of functionality and performance there.
The MPPTs are great, but don't start to make financial sense until you get around the ~500 to 800 watt and larger range. If you think you'll grow that large I'd invest in a 45 or 60 amp MPPT. If your going to stay around 400 watts, I wouldn't bother with A MPPT.
Also, RE expanding. You can parallel most good controllers in the future. So you could start with a 30 or 15 amp and add another 30 or 15 amp controller in the future. I know this to be the case with Morningstar and Midnight brands. Not sure about a lot of the cheaper upstarts you'll find on Amazon and ebay. You might be able to, I'm just not familiar with them.
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creeky
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2017 02:47pm
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I have a gen2 prostar 30 pwm if anyone wants it. 100 bucks.
Never used. i bought it for a second system I was going to build and then the first one worked so well. didn't need it.
mppt will get you extra power. and with the higher voltage you can run higher voltage panels. longer lines without too much voltage drop. etc. but you're right. if you're running a real smal system. meh.
and of course. grain of salt. i'm full time. with 2kw. i built up from 250 watts.
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Mike 870
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2017 03:02pm
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ha ha creeky, I wan't to sell my gen 2 prostar as well. I like it, it works great, but I want the custom programmable charge settings and solar lighting control the gen 3 offers.
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offgridjunkie
Member
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2017 03:21pm
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If you want to expand, make sure you get the MPPT charge controller.
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2017 10:39pm
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Mike. I wrote a custom charge profile for my lithium batteries; Have updated the firmware 3 times; on my morningstar ts-mppt-60s.
morningstar rules. expanding the capability of the controllers, now thats support.
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wactober
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# Posted: 14 Feb 2017 09:49pm
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I'm interested in your led/power bank solution. Can you tell tell the brand name etc of what your using please?
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buckybuck
Member
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2017 09:15am - Edited by: buckybuck
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Keep in mind my cabin is 10 x 20, so I don’t need a ton of lights. And I’m not a full-timer at my cabin. I might want something different if I were.
These are my primary LED lights. I use the warm white model. URL
I made table lamps out of mine. I removed the bulb’s metal hanger, ran the cord through a foot-long 1 1/2†PVC pipe, and put it in an old jar surrounded by pebbles. When selecting the lampshade, take a bulb with you to make sure it fits.
For power banks, what I did was watch Amazon for its daily deals and looked for and bought power banks that ended up costing about a dollar for every 1000 mAh. (There’s usually a couple that meet this criterion on sale every day). But out of all the power banks I’ve got, these are my favorites: URL That’s because they have “smart†charging circuits, and will sense when you’re turned on or plugged in a light, saving the need to press the Power button on the power bank itself. First world problem, and there probably are other brands that also do this. I get at least five hours of light out of one of these with the Onite bulbs.
Over the winter, I’ve been fighting boredom by converting cheap kerosene lanterns to LED using these lights:URL
Burn the paint off the lamp with a propane blow torch (but first, remove the globe and make sure the lamp doesn’t have any old kerosene in it-ask me how I know to do this), let it sit outside for a day so it gets a rust patina, cut out the bottom and wick assembly with a Dremel, run a USB cord up through the bottom, and you’re done.
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wactober
Member
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2017 05:58pm
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Buckybuck
Exactly what i wanted to know. Thank you very much. Really like the lantern idea too!
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Fordriver
Member
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2017 11:59am
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After researching mppt charge controllers, I am totally confused. Any recommendations between brand names (not top end) controllers like renogy, victron, solar epic.? If not one of these names, is there another in the same price range that might be better? I am looking at 30-45amps.
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2017 02:26pm
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Might want to consider the EP Solar / Renogy MPPT. Check out the thread running on that very topic currently.
The Thread: http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/3_7354_0.html
In a nutshell, they are good performer's for the buck, not Cadillac but not a 70 Vega either, mid range ford/chev. Best to get through Amazon, just in case you have troubles, you have amazon behind the sale. Many Vendors offer EP-Solar controllers with their "Value / Budget" solar systems. These are NOT intended for any form of Power Co. Grid connection.
NOTE: EP Solar is an OEM Manufacturer and vendor, they also manufacture / relabel for 3rd parties such as Renogy for example. Spec's may vary, so do compare features & functions.
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hijlehhw
Member
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2017 03:12pm
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Brilliant!
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Fordriver
Member
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# Posted: 1 Mar 2017 12:28pm
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Change in plans due to recommendations by spouse. I am now planning on:
2@ 320 watt, 24 volt solar panels
Solarepic Tracer 4215BN charge controller
4 @ 6 volt , 215 amp golf cart batteries
dc to ac inverter
PV panels and batteries wired in series. As I read the Solarepic user manual these components should be compatible. This will be overkill for my situation but I may grow into it. Any recommendation on brand of inverter or changes to my wiring etc. Thanks in advance.
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 1 Mar 2017 12:58pm
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Instead of just an "Inverter" you may want to consider an Inverter/Charger typically a Marine / RV variation but provides for a good charger for the batteries which can be driven by a generator.
Look for "pure sine inverter/charger" and compare prices & options.
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Ontario lakeside
Member
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# Posted: 1 Mar 2017 09:31pm
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We run lights, divice charging and a small dc fan from our 100w solar set up. everything is 12 volt. Our batteries were used from a forklift.
Check out this video if your interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9nfGoRPo8U&t=2s
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fitzpatt
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2017 09:19am
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Very cool idea. I do this on a much smaller, less polished scale. I have purchased a number of power banks and currently use three Anker banks for all my needs. From time to time Anker banks are sold at steep discounts on Amazon.
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BillMac
Member
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2017 10:07am - Edited by: BillMac
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Fordriver Yes.
Buy and Mppt Charge Controller (why? Makes use of 12v and 24 volt Panels).
Buy a 24 volt Panel ( Why? Can charge 12 and 24 v Battery banks with an Mppt charge controller).
Buy a small Pure sine wave inverter (why? Protects Tvs, Phones, Laptops).
Buy Deep cycle Batteries ( let them charge upto full before using them for 2 days full sun).
Buy Fuses for the hot lines between battery bank and inverter ( Why? Really... ok to protect your investment above).
Buy correct wire Gauge ( Copper only avoid aluminum). Why? Conductivity and amps.
Crimp all connections solid to avoid Load loss and resistance. Why? Full power. Most prewired ends = crap ask anyone on here and they'll tell you not to trust manufactured cables. NIGHTMARE!
Aim/ Lean adjust Panels AT THE SUN! Why? To absorb power. Not volts! AMPS! You charge with amps.
Buy a cheap analog or digital volt meter and conect it between + and - at the battery bank (why? Because you need to know your voltage and avoid going below 12.2 v <- 50% of banks power. at 12.2 Stop and charge back up! Why because you love your batteries and don't want to spend a few hundred dollars sooner then you have to to maximize cycles.
*edit*
What I did ( just like you!) I researched asked before spending a PENNY! Man I'm cheap!
ok here goes....
Smartharvest 20A Mppt 12/24v Charge controller $135.00
Hanwah 235w 24v Pv Panels $0.59 a watt <- Oh Dat sweet price! Welcome to 2017 pricing! 
Inverter ( I don't wanna talk about it) OK OK I went cheap and got what I payed for. But I added some audio sterio 12v 500Uf Capacitors to off set Load draw! ( yeah i made up for it!) 3000/6000 Mod/sine inverter by Centech ( Craptech ha! ) $369.00
220AmpHour x8 6v Solar batteries set up series 12v in parallel for 440AmpHour max draw of the 880 ( thats 50%) down to 12.2v drain.
All Hot wires are Fused.
All Wires personally crimped and Infrared temp tool scanned to watch for hot spots in the system. If I found one I re hydraulic crimped it. ( Do NOT Undersize wiring in your system! Ever. Period!!!) Why? Do it and you'll find out.
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2017 03:08pm
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I like the Victron solar controller. Reasonable price and proven reliability and programming.
Of course morningstar rules!
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KelVarnsen
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2017 11:00am - Edited by: KelVarnsen
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Quoting: buckybuck Over the winter, I’ve been fighting boredom by converting cheap kerosene lanterns
Hey buckybuck thanks for the inspiration. I took a 100 year old split rail fence piece, an old oil lamp, an led bulb and battery pack and made a nice lamp for my place.
Components
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Wood
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Switch
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Finished Lamp
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benny8
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# Posted: 5 Apr 2017 04:19am
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Buckybuck-Thanks for the information. We are building a small cabin this spring/summer and were looking for ideas for lighting. My wife and I like projects and your ideas were great. Thanks for sharing.
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rachelsdad
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# Posted: 5 Apr 2017 05:16am
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Kel,
Very nice. Where did you find those bulbs & switch??
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rachelsdad
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# Posted: 5 Apr 2017 05:18am
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fitzpat: what do you run off the ankers...and what sizes do you use?
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KelVarnsen
Member
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# Posted: 5 Apr 2017 06:59am
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Quoting: rachelsdad Where did you find those bulbs & switch??
I found the components on Amazon. The bulb is very cheaply made. If I did it again I might find a different USB bulb, but they are hard to come by.
LED Bulb, USB Power Switch
Just found this combo too.
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