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Old 07-26-2018, 07:11 AM   #1
Almost There
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Raleigh nc
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Solar help Raleigh NC please

Hey guys and gals I need some help setting up my solar, the electricity part of my conversion is a very hard concept for me. I have a renogy kit with two solar panels a charge controller and two Trojan t105s if anyone is in the area and could help that would be awesome, I’m in Raleigh NC, I don’t mind driving a couple hours for some help.im also fine if you just want to drop some knowledge on me !!!!!!!!! Thanks guys just let me know if your in the area....... ps I definitely know I still need an inverter but not sure what size

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Old 07-26-2018, 07:43 AM   #2
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Solar isn't difficult if you have a basic understanding of DC power. if you don't it can be pretty daunting.

Since you have a pair of 6v batteries, your solar panels need to be connected in parallel. That means that you use a Y adapter to connect the panels' positive sides together, and another Y adapter to connect the negatives together. if you bought a kit, it should have included those.

it should also have included cabled to run from the single end of the Y adapter to the charge controller, but don't connect that until you have the batteries connected to it.

Since you have 2 6v batteries, you need to connect them in series. This means you te the positive of battery A to the negative of battery B, and then your wiring tot he charge controller and to your loads are wired to the positive of battery B and the negative of battery A. here is a diagram showing both series and parallel wiring of batteries.



Once you have the solar controller connected to the battery bank, you can connect it to the panels. If it's the Wanderer 30A controller, it will automatically detect the settings for your battery and start charging if there's sunlight.

You didn't say what you plan to run from your system, but my advice is always to run as much as you from DC power directly. Inverters will let you plug in household items but they waste a lot of power.

Having just 200 watts will also limit how much you can run any given day. it will be more than plenty to keep laptops and phones charged and run some lights, but if you're thinking about adding a refrigerator or something you're probably going to need to get another pair of panels.

For the DC circuit you can connect the negative(ground) to the metal skin of the bus, and only need to run positive cabling to the things you're going to run. I bolt mine to the chair rail. This simplifies things quite a bit.

I then connect my inverter directly to the battery, because it has a built in fuse. I use this 1000W inverter and am really happy with it: https://amzn.to/2MgPMc2

Then I have a fuse panel to distribute power to my other loads. it uses regular automotive blade fuses, and comes in several sizes. If you're using chassis ground you can use the one with just positive, if not they also have one with negative. https://amzn.to/2A7ZRWs

I use 10AWG stranded wire which you can get at Lowes in a 50 or 100 ft spool. You'll also want some ring connectors: https://amzn.to/2LR7MsX

I'm using these DC power outlets in my new bus. 12v outlet with 2 USB ports and a voltage display, and a switch to turn them off! https://amzn.to/2JUxSdk

That covers your cell phone and tablet and anything else that charges from USB, your chances are your laptop uses a 19-20v charger with a round (barrel) connector. I use a "universal" unit that goes up to 90W and runs from AC or DC power,: https://amzn.to/2NNPWYm

And you'll probably want some lighting. We originally bought these lamps for our boat but this is the second bus we're putting them in. Really good quantity and quality of light that uses very little power and looks nice! https://amzn.to/2JpQh5Q

Remember, solar is a numbers game. The fewer watts you use, the fewer you need to generate. Especially with a limited system you need to view the inverter as an evil that should only be used when you can't avoid it!
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Old 07-26-2018, 02:39 PM   #3
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I can’t even explain how big of a help that is thank you so much man!!!!!!!!
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Old 07-29-2018, 07:07 PM   #4
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If you need a hand, I’m down the street in Fayetteville. I did my setup myself, I can help if need be.
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Old 07-29-2018, 08:52 PM   #5
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You are a generous and giving person and I wanted to just say it here!
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Old 07-29-2018, 09:28 PM   #6
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Excellent post Josh on solar, best and simplest to understand I have read.
We are so lucky to have folks like you sharing this way.


Thanks,


John
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Old 07-31-2018, 08:46 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarheel Travelers View Post
If you need a hand, I’m down the street in Fayetteville. I did my setup myself, I can help if need be.
Hey man here’s my number I haven’t even started putting things together. It would love some help shoot me a text let me know what your work schedule is like maybe we can figure something out 843-three03-four646
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Old 08-04-2018, 08:07 AM   #8
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Location: Raleigh nc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown View Post
Solar isn't difficult if you have a basic understanding of DC power. if you don't it can be pretty daunting.

Since you have a pair of 6v batteries, your solar panels need to be connected in parallel. That means that you use a Y adapter to connect the panels' positive sides together, and another Y adapter to connect the negatives together. if you bought a kit, it should have included those.

it should also have included cabled to run from the single end of the Y adapter to the charge controller, but don't connect that until you have the batteries connected to it.

Since you have 2 6v batteries, you need to connect them in series. This means you te the positive of battery A to the negative of battery B, and then your wiring tot he charge controller and to your loads are wired to the positive of battery B and the negative of battery A. here is a diagram showing both series and parallel wiring of batteries.



Once you have the solar controller connected to the battery bank, you can connect it to the panels. If it's the Wanderer 30A controller, it will automatically detect the settings for your battery and start charging if there's sunlight.

You didn't say what you plan to run from your system, but my advice is always to run as much as you from DC power directly. Inverters will let you plug in household items but they waste a lot of power.

Having just 200 watts will also limit how much you can run any given day. it will be more than plenty to keep laptops and phones charged and run some lights, but if you're thinking about adding a refrigerator or something you're probably going to need to get another pair of panels.

For the DC circuit you can connect the negative(ground) to the metal skin of the bus, and only need to run positive cabling to the things you're going to run. I bolt mine to the chair rail. This simplifies things quite a bit.

I then connect my inverter directly to the battery, because it has a built in fuse. I use this 1000W inverter and am really happy with it: https://amzn.to/2MgPMc2

Then I have a fuse panel to distribute power to my other loads. it uses regular automotive blade fuses, and comes in several sizes. If you're using chassis ground you can use the one with just positive, if not they also have one with negative. https://amzn.to/2A7ZRWs

I use 10AWG stranded wire which you can get at Lowes in a 50 or 100 ft spool. You'll also want some ring connectors: https://amzn.to/2LR7MsX

I'm using these DC power outlets in my new bus. 12v outlet with 2 USB ports and a voltage display, and a switch to turn them off! https://amzn.to/2JUxSdk

That covers your cell phone and tablet and anything else that charges from USB, your chances are your laptop uses a 19-20v charger with a round (barrel) connector. I use a "universal" unit that goes up to 90W and runs from AC or DC power,: https://amzn.to/2NNPWYm

And you'll probably want some lighting. We originally bought these lamps for our boat but this is the second bus we're putting them in. Really good quantity and quality of light that uses very little power and looks nice! https://amzn.to/2JpQh5Q

Remember, solar is a numbers game. The fewer watts you use, the fewer you need to generate. Especially with a limited system you need to view the inverter as an evil that should only be used when you can't avoid it!
Hey man I know you gave me more than enough info. I get a little foggy of where to run the charge controller to the batteries once they are hooked up in series and where to run the fuse panel to as well would you have any pictures of your setup?
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