Quote:
Originally Posted by Flux
My plan right now is to go stock alternator (135 amp), Blue Sea 7622, Lifeline 4D, and a 200 Watt solar system. Not sure what solar controller yet, maybe a Midnite solar KID, but an MPPT charger for sure. My house loads shouldn't exceed 20Amps.
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Your plan is very sound......that would be a nice setup...
I've got two house batteries (Lucent Alctel AGM-available from 619battery.com for $125/ea) that are each slightly smaller than a 4D (175ah each), about 300W of solar, and a Samlex SCC-30 PWM controller and the stock alternator. The setup works fine even with my electric hot water heater. Previously I had a single 120W panel on the roof and that was reasonably sufficient without the water heater load.
I've also recently added a Xantrex LinkPro battery monitor, and I'm using it's alarm output to have pseudo-diversion load capabilities. Battery monitors are really handy.....didn't realize how much until I got one. The Kid has a fair bit of battery monitor functionality built in but you will need to buy their shunt to make it work.
If I was doing it again I'd probably consider the kid controller for it's diversion load capabilities, only because I have an electric water heater. IMO, the kid is not as aesthetically pleasing as other panel mount types...it's kinda big and has some cooling fins on the front.
Member 1der is still getting his setup dialed in and we have both chatted with Midnite Solar tech support about using the diversion load to heat water...so time will tell.......there is at least one guy on another forum (TechnoDave) using this feature in his off the grid house.