tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post856412498828361463..comments2023-05-14T20:49:36.700-07:00Comments on WanderMan: A Better Solar Charging Mouse Trap.PART 6The Wandermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-76172644057477220782011-12-29T09:43:52.493-08:002011-12-29T09:43:52.493-08:00Ken,
I definitely have the RS232 port in use! I...Ken,<br /> I definitely have the RS232 port in use! I have an old 486 notebook that I use exclusively to monitor and program the Morningstar controller. It's invaluable for tweaking the system and really knowing what's going on!<br /><br />I just wish the Morningstar software was a bit more user friendly. Their "GUI" is awful.<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-11521504127035458422011-12-29T09:41:51.288-08:002011-12-29T09:41:51.288-08:00Excellent. I am going to look into water heating a...Excellent. I am going to look into water heating as a diversion load. I believe I will still stick with a 12V load, since I'd like to avoid the inverter losses.<br /><br />Saving propane with the sun is a great thing indeed!<br /><br />I wish I could find space for additional batteries, but I really have nowhere for them at the moment. In an article I am writing now, I'm exploring battery options for right now and a bit into the future. Stay Tuned!<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-29522402765750477002011-12-26T13:01:49.038-08:002011-12-26T13:01:49.038-08:00I see you have the Morningstar MPPT 45 but did not...I see you have the Morningstar MPPT 45 but did not see any Rs232 connection to the controller. Just wondering if you were taking full advantage of the wonderful Morningstar offerings. Did you program your controller via a PC or simply set the three or four on-board switches and call it good. Morningstar very often comes up with firmware upgrades for that specific model, suggest you take a look at your firmware version. They also offer free MsView and MsLoad applications which are actually very good. Did you consider installing any proactive warning / alarm systems? The Morningstar Relay Driver would compliment your system nicely. I have used it many times to monitor the separate battery banks both high and low voltage conditions and durations then drive a sonalert and warning lamps.<br /><br />Ken<br />kjintf@blackfoot.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-15537951670335074342011-12-25T17:04:21.632-08:002011-12-25T17:04:21.632-08:00Rich, Yes the lighting rod is 110v and it pulls ab...Rich, Yes the lighting rod is 110v and it pulls about 5 amps. In typical sunlight my solar panels will charge at 12 to 20 amps, in direct sunlight they will charge up to 25amps. I have 4 house batteries (thinking about adding 2 more)and I have no trouble keeping them charged. The solar panels at 24v are converted to 12v to charge my house batteries. My 2000 watt inverter converts the 12v to 120v which then is used to power the Lighting Rod and all other 120 circuits. This setup has reduced my propane heating of water by about 90%. My diversion is wired to my 2 starter batteries (a Cat. diesel) as some of my other systems have a slight drain on them so the diversion maintains them at a good level.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-79517729842835047752011-12-25T05:46:22.363-08:002011-12-25T05:46:22.363-08:00That's great! The lightning rod is a 120V devi...That's great! The lightning rod is a 120V device, are you running it at 12V as a diversion load??<br /><br />Yes, power is good!<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-64345194293822104842011-12-24T14:12:30.895-08:002011-12-24T14:12:30.895-08:00I have a 6 panel set up of 500 watts. I use my di...I have a 6 panel set up of 500 watts. I use my diversion to maintain a good charge on my starter batteries. I have a "Lighting rod" installed to heat my water heater which uses current off my solar panels (house batteries), alternator, or when plugged in. My advice to anyone doing solar... you can't have too much solar power.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-80583560815178189072011-12-24T13:52:48.400-08:002011-12-24T13:52:48.400-08:00Outdoor Activities,
That's the key! Modify ...Outdoor Activities,<br /> That's the key! Modify your behavior to fit in with your capacity. Most folks will find it's not a problem at all and it isn't even an inconvenience.<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-41865647134881999912011-12-24T13:05:49.514-08:002011-12-24T13:05:49.514-08:00We have a 2 123 watt per panel, 240 watt controlle...We have a 2 123 watt per panel, 240 watt controller, 2 Trojan 6 V batteries and 1250 watt inverter. Don't use microwave. Do use a 20 inch flat screen satellite box controlled TV and all 12 volt items in system without any troubles. Just be frugal.<br />compnfish.blogspot.comOutdoor Activitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17453150877579008212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-84937442036310863032011-12-24T10:02:11.407-08:002011-12-24T10:02:11.407-08:00I completely agree! You took the time to figure ou...I completely agree! You took the time to figure out your usage and designed a system around it. Way to go! I looked long and hard at the UNI-Solar style panels, but the large ones are longer than I had roof space for!<br /><br />Rich "The Wanderman"The Wandermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111895389728923307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154511856319682113.post-33534770071652197842011-12-24T09:38:01.872-08:002011-12-24T09:38:01.872-08:00I have just recently finished my own installation,...I have just recently finished my own installation, albeit a different philosophical bent. I decided on flex-amorphous panels for their shade and angle tolerance and (of course) ease of mounting - - peel-and-stick. With a limit of only 10 amps (2 68W panels), my installation overall cost was about $1000. A very comparable price ratio-wise. No, I can't be lavish with the microwave or hair-dryer, but normal daily use is pretty nicely covered, and I run out of water LONG before the batteries drop to 50%.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com