What is the latest on Solar Panels?

[jage]

PH is 54" wide, so it would be 1 long ways, whereas the Kyocera 135 you can go two wide @~53"

[gerrym51]

More questions. would solar boost 3024i be better for agm batteries than solar boost 2000e. I'm confused.


gerry

[Ford_6L_E350]

Originally Posted by gerrym51

More questions. would solar boost 3024i be better for agm batteries than solar boost 2000e. I'm confused.


gerry

The biggest difference between those two is the power capability. Up to 350W the 2000e should be fine.

The 3024i has a couple of more bells (no whistles), but no standard digital readout.

Mike

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

The biggest difference between those two is the power capability. Up to 350W the 2000e should be fine.

The 3024i has a couple of more bells (no whistles), but no standard digital readout.

Mike

the 3024i is a 3 stepp charger the 2000e only 2 step. that is what i read on a website saying 3024i was the way to go for agm

[Ford_6L_E350]

If you're convinced it is the one you should get, then why ask? Just do it.

Mike

[jage]

Originally Posted by gerrym51

the 3024i is a 3 stepp charger the 2000e only 2 step. that is what i read on a website saying 3024i was the way to go for agm

What I read on a (one) website falls into the same category as "this mechanic said...". Unless you find definitive info that's true, or that the 2000e is not somehow capable of maintaining AGMs, I'd take it the info with a grain of salt and wouldn't make my purchase based on it.

Luckily I already have the 2000e, so decision is made... plus I value the digital readout. I do still need to get my act together and buy a solar panel though...

[NRL]

Another vote for the Kyocera Solar panels. 125 and the new 135s.
I think I have the old thin GTs and still going strong after 5 years.



The solar panel reduces the number of trips to re-fill the Honda 2000 Generator.. by end of day camped, if not re-charged, the Honda pretty much tops off my 8D AGM battery. Sometimes I don't even bother starting the 2000..

Someday I want to switch from a 12v inverter to a 24v based TrippLite inverter. Hook up 2 8D's in series making 24volts and change out the solar charger and change out the solar panels if I have too, not sure. Tons more amps hours.. But I'm still mulling over how the panels would charge all that battery..

I think it's debatable if you get one piece 200Watt or more watts versus two Panels at 125-135watts or more..

I always try to go redundant and get at least 2..in case one doesn't work..

[daveb]

Originally Posted by gerrym51

the 3024i is a 3 stepp charger the 2000e only 2 step. that is what i read on a website saying 3024i was the way to go for agm

Yes, for idle batteries that have no load attached to them. A three stage charger can actually overcharge a battery if something like a refrigerator is on the circuit. So a three stage charger would be the choice if you pull the batteries out of the van, isolate them for instances like the van is in storage. But i still think the low current charge from a typical (SMB) solar array won't make that much of a difference. Some chargers are made to switch to two stage charging when dealing with variable loads. I'm sure there are some different views from sales persons out there. I myself can't say what I've read is accurate.

[4x4tour]

I have a KD-135 and a Morningstar SS-MPPT-15L solar controller, which equalizes my AGM batteries every 28 days or so. I also use the remote meter, which shows how many amp you are using, and now many are left in the house battery(s).

[4x4tour]

Hmmmmm, after doing a lot of reading, I may switch off the equalization mode on the solar controller. Dont wanna fry my new AGM's.