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Post by John Bandt Jr. on Sept 9, 2018 21:54:20 GMT
I have recently purchased the 'RV Kit' and have been testing the system: - 100 Watt Foldable Monocrystalline Solar Panels
- 20 Foot Cables (solar Panels to Controller).
- 30 Amp Renogy Adventurer Controller
- Came with Temperature Sensor... It's Hooked-up.
- Came with an 'additional' 12 Volt wiring for more accuracy... It's hooked up
- The batteries I have in my camper are less than a year old, 2-Cabela's AGM Batteries hooked in parrel.
My Questions as the system appears to charging but: - Today is the 1st time it actually hit 71 watts... it's usually 68 to much lower for wattage.
- Why wont it ever get close to 100 watts ??
- Yes... I make sure it's in complete full sun when testing, no clouds.
- Why will the system not ever charge the batteries to 13 volts ??
- I've been testing with no loads/Master switch turned off.
- What is the USB Port for on the front of the controller?
- This system has the Bluetooth... how do I use the 'Load Readings'?
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Post by John Bandt Jr. on Sept 9, 2018 22:47:17 GMT
Is this due to the much cheaper Controller? The PWM Controller? Or should I have invested in 'MPPT' more expensive controller  |
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Post by tattoo on Sept 9, 2018 22:56:05 GMT
I doubt you will ever get 100w there are to many factors against it.... Heat on panels voltage drop in the wires etc.... I think your getting all you will get on a good day.... If you want more power buy more panels....
I have 8 100w panels and I don't think I have ever seen more that 650w coming from the panels...
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Post by tattoo on Sept 9, 2018 22:58:24 GMT
By the way your not getting above 13.1 because I bet the CC is set that way...
Or your batteries are to large of an ah for just one panel.... What ah are your batteries?
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Post by Admin on Sept 10, 2018 11:57:20 GMT
I have recently purchased the 'RV Kit' and have been testing the system: - 100 Watt Foldable Monocrystalline Solar Panels
- 20 Foot Cables (solar Panels to Controller).
- 30 Amp Renogy Adventurer Controller
- Came with Temperature Sensor... It's Hooked-up.
- Came with an 'additional' 12 Volt wiring for more accuracy... It's hooked up
- The batteries I have in my camper are less than a year old, 2-Cabela's AGM Batteries hooked in parrel.
My Questions as the system appears to charging but: - Today is the 1st time it actually hit 71 watts... it's usually 68 to much lower for wattage.
- Why wont it ever get close to 100 watts ??
- Yes... I make sure it's in complete full sun when testing, no clouds.
- Why will the system not ever charge the batteries to 13 volts ??
- I've been testing with no loads/Master switch turned off.
- What is the USB Port for on the front of the controller?
- This system has the Bluetooth... how do I use the 'Load Readings'?
The solar panel is rated at 100W due to national approved lab testing at 25C temperature, 1000W/m^2 (insolation), and air mass 1.5. The actual output of the panel depends on these world conditions as well as tilt, efficiency loss, and many more factors. Actual panel output is about 85-87% of the rated output before going into the charge controller for regulation and efficiency loss. PWM controllers have an efficiency of roughly 70% due to their method of charge with brings your panel output to match the battery, the rest is lost to heat. MPPT controllers have a 90% efficiency minimum which allows you to maximize the actual controller output since it utilizes almost the entire input of the solar panel output. With MPPT you can expect to see something around 80-85W whereas PWM you can expect something around 60-70W. This is all input, the output changes based on the stage of the controller before reaching float. If you have more power demands, we usually recommend an MPPT, but if you just need a basic charger, PWM is the fine and budget choice to get the job done. The USB is for usb devices, such as cellphone chargers, tablet chargers, etc. It's a 5V up to 2Amp source. The bluetooth is used with out bluetooth module (separate accessory) which allows you to see data generated by your panel and controller. -Renogy Team |
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Post by bupkis on Sept 10, 2018 13:21:33 GMT
Have these batteries ever been fully charged? Do you know what that means? The specs I saw for a G27 AGM from Cabelas called for rather high charge voltage (14.8v). link here , then check 'product research' tab. At 90ah each or 180 ah combined, IMO you need to find a portable 120v charger rated 15-20 amps to try and recover these batteries. |
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Post by tattoo on Sept 10, 2018 14:10:18 GMT
Have these batteries ever been fully charged? Do you know what that means? At 90ah each or 180 ah combined, IMO you need to find a portable 120v charger rated 15-20 amps to try and recover these batteries. Now that's an awesome idea..... I'd say charge them for at least 8 hours what ya think? |
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jebjr
Solar Newcomer
Posts: 6
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Post by jebjr on Sept 10, 2018 17:54:18 GMT
I'm now a member... jebjr (was guest John Bandt). The 2 AGM Cabela's Batteries are: AGM Dual Purpose Long Life Series - No Amp Hour Ratings on the batteries.
- Cycle Life (When Discharged To 50% or Less) 600+
- Cold Cranking Amps 640
- Marine Cranking Amps 832
- Reserve Capacity 150
- Weight 60 Lbs.
- They are only about a year old.
- I have the Battery 'Type' set for Gel on the controller.
I've been testing this RV Kit System the last 2 weeks week no loads or drains on the batteries.
Highest Output Solar panel wattage I've seen was 71 yesterday but only for a few hours. Usually runs 50's to high 60's.
Highest Voltage Output has been 12.1 volts.
When I disconnect the solar cables and check my batteries the highest voltage I've seen is 11.9 volts.
I'm not expecting the full 100 Watts of charging but it seemed to be kinda low.
I do have a home 110 charger. I will perform a slow charge on the batteries and see what the battery voltage goes up to.
So... If I have a USB Cord I can charge my cell phone off of the controller?
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Post by tattoo on Sept 10, 2018 18:26:29 GMT
I'm now a member... jebjr (was guest John Bandt). The 2 AGM Cabela's Batteries are: AGM Dual Purpose Long Life Series - No Amp Hour Ratings on the batteries.
- Cycle Life (When Discharged To 50% or Less) 600+
- Cold Cranking Amps 640
- Marine Cranking Amps 832
- Reserve Capacity 150
- Weight 60 Lbs.
- They are only about a year old.
- I have the Battery 'Type' set for Gel on the controller.
I've been testing this RV Kit System the last 2 weeks week no loads or drains on the batteries.
Highest Output Solar panel wattage I've seen was 71 yesterday but only for a few hours. Usually runs 50's to high 60's.
Highest Voltage Output has been 12.1 volts.
When I disconnect the solar cables and check my batteries the highest voltage I've seen is 11.9 volts.
I'm not expecting the full 100 Watts of charging but it seemed to be kinda low.
I do have a home 110 charger. I will perform a slow charge on the batteries and see what the battery voltage goes up to.
So... If I have a USB Cord I can charge my cell phone off of the controller?
So those are automotive batteries... Cold Cranking amps don't mean anything in solar...
No need expecting it because about 80% is all your going to get with that CC..
At 11.9 your batteries are on their way out... That's the problem with what your seeing from your panels..... Get them charged or buy new ones and I'll bet you see more volts and watts....
The next batteries you buy should be deep cycle batteries and don't worry about the CCA....
But I would at least try charging them for many hours with AC to see if you can bring some life back into them...
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Post by bupkis on Sept 10, 2018 18:27:01 GMT
sounds like the one I linked to 90ah. Set the controller to SLD, or even FLD do not let it sit around idle under 12.5v note the charging voltage!!! There is nothing wrong in using these for cycling, but proper care is a must, they are not in bad shape cuz they are not "TRUE DEEP CYCLE" they are in bad shape do to improper care! Let us are remember that CCA is a measured property like weight, if a battery does not list a weight it still has mass, if a battery does not list a CCA it still can be measured, Nope this is not a 2V industrial deep cycle battery made by crown or rolls.  |
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jebjr
Solar Newcomer
Posts: 6
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Post by jebjr on Sept 10, 2018 19:14:51 GMT
Thanks for the info and the help!
The reason I was charging on the Gel setting is I had called and asked technical support and he told me to use the Gel setting. I will change it to sealed.
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jebjr
Solar Newcomer
Posts: 6
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Post by jebjr on Sept 10, 2018 19:49:52 GMT
Okay... I see now!
I'ts confusing when they call their battery a dual purpose deep cycle AGM battery but I also read on their battery it is a 'sealed lead-acid battery'.
I thought they were a Gel battery.
Wish I'd known that before I purchased these batteries but I used 500 dollars worth of points so I got them for free.
I will definitely be charging on the sealed setting!
Again... Thanks to all for your help and input! I appreciate it!!
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jebjr
Solar Newcomer
Posts: 6
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Post by jebjr on Sept 10, 2018 20:21:04 GMT
Another question I have concerning fuses:
They suggest installing a 30 Amp Inline Fuse from panels to controller and another one from controller to batteries and try to stay with the same size wire.
My cables are 10 AWG, 10 gauge?
Largest inline fuse holder I've been able to find is 12 gauge. But... I noticed at the panels that the red and black wires going into their connectors for the extension cables are 12 gauge.
Would I be alright to solder the inline fuse holders as max amps from the panels are only 6 amps anyway?
Specs on my set-up are on my very 1st Post. It's the RV Kit with the foldable 100watt panels.
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Post by tattoo on Sept 10, 2018 20:27:17 GMT
^^^^^ You don't need any fuses for such a small solar system...^^^^^
No don't solder connections.... Just a real good wire clamp...
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Post by bupkis on Sept 10, 2018 20:49:09 GMT
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