A big thanks to all of you who provided me with advice both in direct response to my questions and in the various other "Solar sub-Forum" posts.
What I ended up with ...
From Vehicle .. Used the existing relay off an accessory feed that connects the battery/Alternator to the van via an Anderson plug.
In Van ..
Battery 130 a/h Giant AGM Deep Cycle
Thunder 20a DC to DC 8/3 stage Charger
200w Solar Panel
Kick Ass 8 stage 12a Smart charger
'SOC' Battery monitor ... DCM9040 ... with a low V cut off relay & alarm.
All cabling 6AWG fused at both ends except at Solar panel.
Just finished a few minutes ago ... All is functioning OK even on an overcast day with a little rain.
All I need to do now is re program the Battery Monitor. I want to be certain that is is zeroed and adjusted OK. As well as becoming more confident with its use.
In hindsight ...
Perhaps my Solar Panel is physically too large .. two smaller ones might have been better.
Perhaps I should have put in a larger Smart Charger ... 20A ?
Not sure if the battery is really 130aH. It's a bit light compared to equiv Deep River ones.
If $s weren't an issue I might have gone for Cetec stuff but time will tell.
Next projects ..
Cable 12V to outlets for TV & 12v fan
Relocate Break Safe? battery/control box to a more convenient place .. inside my 12v cupboard.
Anyway ... Thanks again for your advice ....
Edit ...
Forgot to mention ... I actually read the manuals.
Made up a table of the power usage of all of my 12v stuff.
Replace the few remaining incandescent globes with LEDs.
I am going to fit Anderson plugs to the Alternator and the fridge feeds so that I can choose to charge the battery or run the fridge direct from the Alternator while driving. The solar can top up the battery when the fridge is connected.
-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 18th of November 2017 06:26:51 PM
mr glassies said
11:19 PM Nov 18, 2017
Good going although if you went 1 100 watt solar if one gets dirty it will still charge of the other even though you could still get some amps from the dirty one.
Dibs
swamp said
07:54 PM Nov 23, 2017
hi
Did u consider Projecta 25amp dc2dc . This unit is more suitable for expansion of solar in the future . Around the 250$.
You are correct a Ac 240v charger will work far better at 20amps or greater . Particularly if used on a gene. The projecta red units 21 amp were around 200$
If ever considering a second battery 20 amps min would also be a good idea .
A big thanks to all of you who provided me with advice both in direct response to my questions and in the various other "Solar sub-Forum" posts.
What I ended up with ...
From Vehicle .. Used the existing relay off an accessory feed that connects the battery/Alternator to the van via an Anderson plug.
In Van ..
Battery 130 a/h Giant AGM Deep Cycle
Thunder 20a DC to DC 8/3 stage Charger
200w Solar Panel
Kick Ass 8 stage 12a Smart charger
'SOC' Battery monitor ... DCM9040 ... with a low V cut off relay & alarm.
All cabling 6AWG fused at both ends except at Solar panel.
Just finished a few minutes ago ... All is functioning OK even on an overcast day with a little rain.
All I need to do now is re program the Battery Monitor. I want to be certain that is is zeroed and adjusted OK. As well as becoming more confident with its use.
In hindsight ...
Perhaps my Solar Panel is physically too large .. two smaller ones might have been better.
Perhaps I should have put in a larger Smart Charger ... 20A ?
Not sure if the battery is really 130aH. It's a bit light compared to equiv Deep River ones.
If $s weren't an issue I might have gone for Cetec stuff but time will tell.
Next projects ..
Cable 12V to outlets for TV & 12v fan
Relocate Break Safe? battery/control box to a more convenient place .. inside my 12v cupboard.
Anyway ... Thanks again for your advice ....
Edit ...
Forgot to mention ... I actually read the manuals.
Made up a table of the power usage of all of my 12v stuff.
Replace the few remaining incandescent globes with LEDs.
I am going to fit Anderson plugs to the Alternator and the fridge feeds so that I can choose to charge the battery or run the fridge direct from the Alternator while driving. The solar can top up the battery when the fridge is connected.
-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 18th of November 2017 06:26:51 PM
Dibs
Did u consider Projecta 25amp dc2dc . This unit is more suitable for expansion of solar in the future . Around the 250$.
You are correct a Ac 240v charger will work far better at 20amps or greater . Particularly if used on a gene. The projecta red units 21 amp were around 200$
If ever considering a second battery 20 amps min would also be a good idea .
www.ebay.com.au/itm/PROJECTA-PC2100-AUTOMATIC-12V-21A-6-STAGE-BATTERY-CHARGER-/171631206597
picclick.com.au/Projecta-12V-Volt-Dc-To-Dc-25A-Amp-292203786836.html
Anyways great setup
Its great feel`n when ur makin sparks !!