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07-28-2019, 01:51 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 67
Year: 1984
Coachwork: International Harvester
Chassis: S1753
Engine: V8 6.9L
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Solar And Battery Help!
I don’t know anything when it comes to electrical stuff. I Want To Do a very solid ,maybe overkill (for emergency purposes) On My Bus. How do I know what solar kits are compatible with which batteries or does it matter? Which Charge controller? Also, I Want at least 4-6 decent batteries but don’t know which ones to get. I was leaning towards lithium but don’t have the money for that at the moment so maybe AGM? Lastly, which panels are you guys running and do you recommend any brands?
Thanks.
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07-28-2019, 02:17 PM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
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The best battery value by far is Duracell (actually Deka/East Penn) FLA deep cycle golf cart batteries, 2x6V, around $200 per 200+AH @12V pair from BatteriesPlus or Sam's Club. Deka labeled same batts also sold at Lowes.
Choose your SCs first then buy panels to optimize their output. I like Victron SmartSolar, paired with larger 40+Voc panels, try to source locally or plan your travels to pickup.
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07-28-2019, 02:18 PM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
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07-28-2019, 04:10 PM
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#4
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 67
Year: 1984
Coachwork: International Harvester
Chassis: S1753
Engine: V8 6.9L
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What are “SC’s”? What are VOC Panels? And What Is “2x6v?”
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07-28-2019, 04:41 PM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NfiniteMile
What are “SC’s”? What are VOC Panels? And What Is “2x6v?”
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It's technical jargon. In plain English it means "hire an electrician".
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07-28-2019, 05:11 PM
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#6
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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^
Seconded! Lethal is as lethal does.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
It's technical jargon. In plain English it means "hire an electrician".
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__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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07-28-2019, 07:16 PM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, WA.
Posts: 1,109
Year: 1984
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: All American
Engine: 3208 na boat anchor
Rated Cap: 2
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I would assume by SC he means the solar controller that is be functions between the solar panels and the battery bank. The Voc would be the solar panels open circuit voltage when in the sun.
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07-28-2019, 07:17 PM
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#8
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 67
Year: 1984
Coachwork: International Harvester
Chassis: S1753
Engine: V8 6.9L
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Thanks! That’s All I Needed To Hear
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07-28-2019, 08:26 PM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
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and 2x is two times, pairs of
6V is six volt
each pair = a 12V batt but better
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07-28-2019, 09:43 PM
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#10
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,362
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Crown, integral. (With 2kW of tiltable solar)
Chassis: Crown Supercoach II (rear engine)
Engine: Detroit 6V92TAC, DDEC 2, Jake brake, Allison HT740
Rated Cap: 37,400 lbs GVWR
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One very informative resource that you should spend some time reading is the Northern Arizona Wind & Sun forum on solar and renewable energy. The resident gurus there can better explain the what and why of solar than most of us here, me included! They can point you in the right direction so you don't make expensive blunders, or worse. NAWS is well worth a few hours of your time. And if you choose to buy any items there, their prices are reasonable and the service is very good.
John
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07-28-2019, 10:07 PM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Grayson County, VA
Posts: 1,428
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 65
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Just to piggyback on Iceni John's comment, a resource I found incredibly useful is https://faroutride.com/electrical-system/
They give a pretty comprehensive rundown of their system and it's easy to understand and pretty down to earth.
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07-29-2019, 06:17 PM
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#14
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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My favorite source for all things solar: https://www.solarpaneltalk.com
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