i have a 120watt panel on the roof of my new manta ray van and a 100 hour battery, my question is if I get another battery will I get 200 hours of storage?
all I need is a very simple answer, I understand it will,depend on what I use etc but just keep it simple.
Brett
Joe50 said
01:55 AM Jun 13, 2016
Hi Brett
Trying to keep it simple usually comes with some caveats, but I'll try and get things started by drawing on what I've learned from this great forum over the past three years. Yes, another 100 a/h battery will double the storage, but this will mean that your 120W panel will have to charge two batteries instead of one, so you should consider another 120W panel if finances and roof real estate permit (perceived wisdom is that total panel wattage should at least equal your total battery a/h capacity). Ideally dual batteries should be the same make, capacity and age. If you can advise what equipment you'll be running, particularly fridge (compressor or gas), TV and other appliances will allow others with more knowledge than I to give more detailed advice. Knowing what solar controller (make and model) you currently have will also help.
Cheers
Joe
Jaahn said
08:06 AM Jun 13, 2016
Shogun wrote:
Hello all
i have a 120watt panel on the roof of my new manta ray van and a 100 hour battery, my question is if I get another battery will I get 200 hours of storage?
all I need is a very simple answer, I understand it will,depend on what I use etc but just keep it simple.
Brett
Hi Brett
Keeping it to a simple one sentence, yes it will double the storage on paper but you may not get the two batteries fully charged because you have minimal solar to do it, so it may not actually be doubled except in extra good conditions !
Jaahn
Shogun said
10:25 AM Jun 13, 2016
Thanks for your advice much appreciated. I'll double the battery and panels me thinks :)
Brett
Aus-Kiwi said
03:13 PM Jun 13, 2016
Is battery charged through the day but goes flat or low over night ? If solar charges to trickle by say ? mid day . Then more storage . I would add more battery and solar . Adding another battery is like having two bank accounts . Solar is not expensive now . Chances are the cables can be pieced into or just add connectors ?
Delta18 said
05:42 PM Jun 13, 2016
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Adding another battery is like having two bank accounts .
That is actually a good analogy.
One person opening a 2nd account won't give any more reserve, will just split income (solar charge) between the 2 accounts (batteries).
The 2 accounts (batteries) are worse off as fees double and neither really increase in value until a second person (panel) contributes.
Aus-Kiwi said
05:48 PM Jun 13, 2016
One account for me the other Mrs. Lol yea lol
macka17 said
10:58 PM Jul 3, 2016
Just make sure the regulator can take the dual output.
120 x 2 =12a approx.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:28 PM Jul 3, 2016
You never get full solar power efficiency though ..
vbc1_75 said
11:44 PM Jul 4, 2016
Brett, your Manta Ray will more than likely have a 30 amp regulator and able to run 3 x120 watt panels. It's pretty simple to put another panel on the other side near the door and join that panel into the existing wiring with a couple of 2 into 1 joiners from jaycar. eBay etc. fitting another battery is simple as well. Are you running anything more than just the lights, pump, TV?.
Jon
Shogun said
09:07 PM Jul 11, 2016
Thanks for that Jon, not running anything apart from my CPAP at night. I'll Suss out a few panels to see what will fit.
cheers
Brett
Peter_n_Margaret said
07:29 PM Jul 16, 2016
Shogun wrote:
Thanks for that Jon, not running anything apart from my CPAP at night. I'll Suss out a few panels to see what will fit.
Check that the new panel(s) are similar Vmp to the existing one before you buy.
3 panels would be more value to you than 2 batteries....you can not use energy that you do not collect.
Do you use the humidifier on the CPAP? This is the bit that uses most of the power.
BTW, the second bank account description should be attributed to Collyn Rivers....
Cheers,
Peter
Shogun said
07:43 PM Jul 17, 2016
Hi Peter, don't use the humidifier when travelling only at home. I currently have a 120watt panel on the roof and was wondering could i get a 200 watt as well or do i need to get another 120?
Cheers
Brett
PeterD said
11:01 PM Jul 17, 2016
Brett, you do not have to match the existing panel if you have a PWM controller. All you have to worry about is you add a panel with a similar open circuit voltage.
Hello all
i have a 120watt panel on the roof of my new manta ray van and a 100 hour battery, my question is if I get another battery will I get 200 hours of storage?
all I need is a very simple answer, I understand it will,depend on what I use etc but just keep it simple.
Brett
Trying to keep it simple usually comes with some caveats, but I'll try and get things started by drawing on what I've learned from this great forum over the past three years. Yes, another 100 a/h battery will double the storage, but this will mean that your 120W panel will have to charge two batteries instead of one, so you should consider another 120W panel if finances and roof real estate permit (perceived wisdom is that total panel wattage should at least equal your total battery a/h capacity). Ideally dual batteries should be the same make, capacity and age. If you can advise what equipment you'll be running, particularly fridge (compressor or gas), TV and other appliances will allow others with more knowledge than I to give more detailed advice. Knowing what solar controller (make and model) you currently have will also help.
Cheers
Joe
Hi Brett
Keeping it to a simple one sentence, yes it will double the storage on paper but you may not get the two batteries fully charged because you have minimal solar to do it, so it may not actually be doubled except in extra good conditions !
Jaahn
Brett
That is actually a good analogy.
One person opening a 2nd account won't give any more reserve, will just split income (solar charge) between the 2 accounts (batteries).
The 2 accounts (batteries) are worse off as fees double and neither really increase in value until a second person (panel) contributes.
120 x 2 =12a approx.
Jon
Thanks for that Jon, not running anything apart from my CPAP at night. I'll Suss out a few panels to see what will fit.
cheers
Brett
Cheers
Brett