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Old 04-30-2011, 02:04 PM   #11
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Re: What is the latest on Solar Panels?

The solar controller is just called that: a solar controller. You can also refer to it as a charge controller / solar charge controller / etc.

You don't want the junction box - just a locking connector, like this panel:
http://www.solar-electric.com/kyso130wa12v.html

The locking connectors look like this:
http://www.solar-electric.com/6fomc4so2exc.html

You'll buy an extra cable, like the second link above, and cut it in half. Plug the connectors into your panel's leads, and wire the bare ends into the bare ends of your pre-wire. Presto, hey, you're done!

Whichever panel you choose, make sure you have enough room for your mounting - these things are surprisingly huge.

Cheers!
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Old 04-30-2011, 02:42 PM   #12
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Re: What is the latest on Solar Panels?

Mine came with a junction box. I simply hard wired a 12ga outdoor cable from the panel to the controller. I did have to connect the wiring before mounting the panel, but other than that is no big deal.

I know you like to use your microwave, so more solar is more better for you. The 135W is more than enough for us.

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Old 04-30-2011, 04:10 PM   #13
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Re: What is the latest on Solar Panels?

Quote:
Originally Posted by gerrym51
the solar boost 2000e will work up to maximum of 210 solar panel.
The # 210 they refer to is not wattage, rather type of panel that puts out a higher voltage. I have about 310 watts worth of solar and have never reached 25 amps worth of input/output with the solar boost 2000E. But it is good to note that there are panels out there that the solar boost 2000E can't be used with.
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Old 04-30-2011, 04:37 PM   #14
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Re: What is the latest on Solar Panels?

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveb
Quote:
Originally Posted by gerrym51
the solar boost 2000e will work up to maximum of 210 solar panel.
The # 210 they refer to is not wattage, rather type of panel that puts out a higher voltage. I have about 310 watts worth of solar and have never reached 25 amps worth of input/output with the solar boost 2000E. But it is good to note that there are panels out there that the solar boost 2000E can't be used with.
i just started researching this and went to solar boosts website and read specs. I'm still learning.

does the solar boost 2000e correctly cjarge agm batteries. I/m finding conflicting info on this.


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Old 05-01-2011, 09:19 AM   #15
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Re: What is the latest on Solar Panels?

Wind & Sun in Arizona is a great resource.

Solar discussion forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/
Solar information: http://www.windsun.com/
Store: http://www.solar-electric.com/

What are your goals for solar? Do you want a "little extra" to supplement other charging, or do you want to run entirely off solar? You might want to measure your power consumption so you know what to expect.

The Solar Boost 2000E is a good charge controller for smaller solar installations. The manual (http://www.blueskyenergyinc.com/uploads ... _SB2KE.pdf) provides guidance on selecting suitable panels. Pay attention to the maximum open circuit voltage (Voc) -- many of the high power panels on the market exceed the maximum voltage for the controller.

The controller will charge AGM batteries, and the manual describes how to set the charge voltage and temperature compensation to match your batteries.

If you just want "easy", I'd get a Kyocera 135W panel from Wind & Sun. The 185W ought to work, too, but it's pushing the voltage limits of the controller.
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Old 05-01-2011, 09:27 AM   #16
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Re: What is the latest on Solar Panels?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Okie
Wind & Sun in Arizona is a great resource.

Solar discussion forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/
Solar information: http://www.windsun.com/
Store: http://www.solar-electric.com/

What are your goals for solar? Do you want a "little extra" to supplement other charging, or do you want to run entirely off solar? You might want to measure your power consumption so you know what to expect.

The Solar Boost 2000E is a good charge controller for smaller solar installations. The manual (http://www.blueskyenergyinc.com/uploads ... _SB2KE.pdf) provides guidance on selecting suitable panels. Pay attention to the maximum open circuit voltage (Voc) -- many of the high power panels on the market exceed the maximum voltage for the controller.

The controller will charge AGM batteries, and the manual describes how to set the charge voltage and temperature compensation to match your batteries.

If you just want "easy", I'd get a Kyocera 135W panel from Wind & Sun. The 185W ought to work, too, but it's pushing the voltage limits of the controller.
sportsmobiles website says the are now using 185 with the solar boost 2000e
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Old 05-01-2011, 10:54 AM   #17
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Re: What is the latest on Solar Panels?

I don't have time to look up figures, but I remember seeing that the 185W panel is still a 12V panel (well, "12V panels" are really about 17V, but that's for another time).

I don't believe the Blue Sky can handle 24V panels, so stay away from those. So it's current that's the limiting factor, and I believe the Blue Sky can handle about 25A? Since my 135W puts out a max of 11A, IIRC, then the 185W probably maxes out at about 17 or 18A and would be fine, as would two 135W panels.

Cheers,
Mike.
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Old 05-01-2011, 08:14 PM   #18
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Re: What is the latest on Solar Panels?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjeffrey
as would two 135W panels.
Connected in parallel? Series doubles the voltage right, so don't want that?
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Old 05-01-2011, 09:54 PM   #19
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Re: What is the latest on Solar Panels?

Absolutely, provided you're running the solar boost 2000E.

I really haven't researched different sized (wattage) panels. A highly mismatched panel wired in parallel might be a problem like Mike posted about. I did run two of one size and one of another at one time (2-65's and one 40watt panel) that worked OK. All of them were 12v and made by Solara but you don't want a higher voltage panel with that controller. Companies always make higher voltages than what they are labeled as. Just don't move to the higher voltage panel such as a 24V model and stick with what they call a 12v model.
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Old 05-01-2011, 10:22 PM   #20
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Re: What is the latest on Solar Panels?

The Kyocera 185W panel (part #KD185GX-LPU) has an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 29.5V, a short circuit current (Isc) of 8.58A, and a maximum power point (Vmpp) of 23.6V. Depending on temperature, these numbers could go up.

The Solar Boost 2000E manual recommends an Isc of 20A (so we're good there), a Vmpp between 16.5V - 18.5V (we're outside the recommended range but within the maximum), and a Voc of 28V (we're outside the recommended range but barely within the maximum of 30V).

In practice, the Kyocera 185W solar panel won't achieve the maximum ratings and will probably work with the Solar Boost 2000E controller. But, the Solar Boost manufacturer does *not* recommend using it with this 185W panel.

http://www.blueskyenergyinc.com/uploads ... _SB2KE.pdf
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wind-sun/KD185GX-LPU.pdf
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