isolator/solar question - Page 2

boywonder · 05-06-2015, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveb

I
I've always thought a constant higher amp solar charging might be harder on maintenance free or standard wet cell starting type batteries especially when the solar is putting out as much as it can to replenish what was taken from the house battery over the night. It takes a while to put the solar controller into a float mode and while the house battery system is accepting a charge, the starting batteries are being over charged.

I've always assumed that a discharged battery has lower resistance than a charged battery, this would "self regulate" the worry you have above, since they are all wired in parallel.

This also works the other way when a dead battery takes out a good battery as well.

boywonder · 05-07-2015, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boywonder

I've always assumed that a discharged battery has lower resistance than a charged battery, this would "self regulate" the worry you have above, since they are all wired in parallel.

This also works the other way when a dead battery takes out a good battery as well.

I thought about this a bit more this morning; the above would only be true if smart chargers are designed as constant voltage sources. If they are designed as constant current sources, then battery resistance won't matter......

....If I remember, I'll ask one of the EEs at work.

86Scotty · 05-07-2015, 08:27 AM

Dave, I have thought about this as both a windshield privacy shade and an extra panel, but I haven't run out of other things to spend money on yet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IK1 ... _i=desktop

Plus, not sure where I'd store it unless I could fit it in my roof box without tearing it up. Maybe a sleeve in the top?

**BroncoHauler** · 05-07-2015, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

Dave, I have thought about this as both a windshield privacy shade and an extra panel, but I haven't run out of other things to spend money on yet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IK1 ... _i=desktop

Plus, not sure where I'd store it unless I could fit it in my roof box without tearing it up. Maybe a sleeve in the top?

If it's anything like the flexible, marine solar panels that SMBw used to install, research to see if there are delamination issues.

Herb

**daveb** · 05-07-2015, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

Dave, I have thought about this as both a windshield privacy shade and an extra panel, but I haven't run out of other things to spend money on yet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IK1 ... _i=desktop

Plus, not sure where I'd store it unless I could fit it in my roof box without tearing it up. Maybe a sleeve in the top?

I keep a Solara under my lower bed pad.

rockbender · 05-07-2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

Dave, I have thought about this as both a windshield privacy shade and an extra panel, but I haven't run out of other things to spend money on yet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IK1 ... _i=desktop

Plus, not sure where I'd store it unless I could fit it in my roof box without tearing it up. Maybe a sleeve in the top?

Eric,
That's a good idea! You could store it on the penthouse bed without trouble I would think.

I actually bought one of these panels to mount to my top because I have tight garage clearance issues. I haven't installed it yet, and although the material seems fairly robust I am not sure how it would react to constant bending back and forth from putting it in a window. I'll try to throw it up in my windshield before it becomes a permanent fixture on my roof and take a picture.

86Scotty · 05-07-2015, 02:55 PM

That would be awesome if you get to it. I would love to see how it conforms to and covers the windshield. My wiring is easily accessible, I could just tap in to it from the top panel and drop a wire down. Unless I'm not thinking right my controller could handle both just fine.

No rush but post a pic when you get a chance.

rockbender · 05-08-2015, 09:54 AM

Roughly speaking, this is what you'd be looking at:

You would definitely want some reflectix behind there for full coverage. If you wanted additional solar (and had extra cash) you might even be able to hinge (3) 50 watt panels together and fit them across the windshield.

86Scotty · 05-08-2015, 05:07 PM

Hmmm. Thanks for the pic. It's a little smaller than I imagined. I see what you mean. Anyway, it's solar and the windshield is real estate to put it on. I suppose with a portable/bendable type like that I could hand it or sit it out as well depending on sun and parking position. Thanks for showing me though.

Hey, this is my thread so I can hijack it without shame. I spy a CCV top on your new van. Did I miss something? What do you think?

sbgrimm · 05-09-2015, 12:34 AM

Here's my solution for storing the flexible panel in my RB-50. It's a small panel, 100 watts, Grape Solar, bought as discontinued from AM Solar. In my rig there is a small space between the top of the shelves/cabinets and the roof that the solar panel can slide into nicely. Both surfaces are upholstered so it doesn't scratch the solar panel. The width of the solar panel is very similar to the width of the rear PH bed panel. I simply took two 3 inch wide elastic straps, fastened one end into the PH bed and sewed on high strength Velcro on the other. (I've since replaced the Velcro, which didn't fasten well enough for rough roads, with hardware fasteners) It's easy to slide the end of the solar panel into the slot over the cabinets, attach the straps, and away we go! The solar panel can slide with the rear PH bed panel and because it's so thin we didn't lose any headroom.

Brad