battery question/solar recharge also

[Shadow Catcher]

We now have valid experience with solar. CR has a 185W high voltage panel mounted to the roof feeding into a Morningstar MPPT controller feeding the 150AH AGM battery. this powers the WAECO refrigerator, computer case fans, LED lights, radio, flat screen TV...
Even in DEEP shade we never got below 78% SOC so I will when the time comes probably go for a 100AH battery. Here you can see the panel on top and just what I mean by deep shade.


I did take along a Unisolar, yes they are really long, panel rolled up in the tongue box. I picked it up used on Ebay for $65 and the STECA PMW controller which will handle its higher voltage for $35. But we never used it.

[bdosborn]

Ah, Bruce is right about the warranty being void. Especially if you do what I did and cut them in thirds to fit onto my truck! They work just as well once you solder a few of the ends to themselves.

Hey, we need a tutorial on how to mod a unisolar panel.Got pictures?

Bruce

[bdosborn]

Even in DEEP shade we never got below 78% SOC so I will when the time comes probably go for a 100AH battery.

Don't you have the Morningstar meter too? If you hold the middle and right button down at the same time you can access a PV performance log of the last 30 days. I'd be curious to see what your amp-hr harvest was in the shade.

Bruce

[Richard A.]

If I plan on camping away from power sources, how do I figure out how 'long' I could run my teardrop (only using LED puck lights in the cabin for one hour average and the fantastic fan on high for 8 hours a night) using a deep cycle marine battery?

Fantastic Fan on HIGH for 8 hours??? Really? That is both loud, and a major current draw. My girlfriend won't let me run mine on low overnight because it's too loud for her (I don't mind) According to their website max current draw is three amps. This is your major concern. The LED lights have a minimal current requirement.

Know also that there is no "absolute" time for this. If you want to run your battery until the fan no longer works ... that's up to you ... but it will SERIOUSLY damage your battery. The less you discharge your battery (before you re-charge it) the less damage is done and the longer it will last ... but the time you get to use it each time is less. I run a digital voltmeter to monitor my battery. 10.5 volts is the mimimun most say that a deep cycle battery should be drawn down to .. but, again, 11 volts, or even 11.5 volts will make the battery last longer. (and a fully charged 12 v battery starts out at about 12.6 volts)

There are many types of "deep cycle marine batteries" ... some better than others. What is the amp hour rating of your battery? Without that information no one can begin to tell you how long it will last under a specific load. Also how old is it, and how has it been maintained?

Also ... since you have a Fantastic fan/vent .. where are you going to mount your solar panel(s)?