Recent content by fratermus

I use sun surveyor for this. I boondock fulltime and seeing the AR path of the sun helps me position the campervan in any given site.

Totally normal. Since the converter could theoretically provide charging forever, I would ensure it doesn't hold the battery at 100% SoC and/or high voltage indefinitely. Lots of ways to skin that cat, including turning it off.

Sounds almost like it's trying to maintain the starter batt off solar but the inputs/outputs are switched.

I agree that solar is an expensive capital expense for the Wh delivered. In my case I encamp in 14d increments before relocating, so a passive form of power harvest is rather nice. I am also grateful when other campers within earshot have made similar choices about silent power generation...

Luckily the documentation stays online 24/7. :) Controllers charging lead chemistries use temp to "compensate" (adjust) the actual charging voltage: colder lead needs higher voltage, warmer needs less. Li does not need/want that. If you are using an Li profile it is likely that the...

I agree with Dave; the solar only requires configuration changes. Without knowing what the other three systems are it's hard to say. Here's my take on such a transition.

My understanding is with hwy77; the rating is frontside only and therefore no "loss" when there is no backside insolation. Just monetary loss assuming we paid more. :-) Depends on location. Nearby water/snow or other bright surface could put meaningful light on the backside of airgapped...

The 1212-series charger mentioned in the first post is normally off until it gets power from D+ anyhow: "The DC-DC will not power on or operate until the D+ ignition cable is connected." - p11 of the manual. I suppose it is possible that a voltage-sensing DC-DC that is powered by the starter...

Reason: newbies think flexible panels are way kewl: "I will walk on them, put my BBQ on them, fold them like origami!"

Yes, that can work. Caveats below. Maybe, but that won't affect the system. :-) The important questions, IMO, are: is the Crafter's alternator going to be happy with whatever the wall charger is pulling (plus inverter losses?) is the alternator a plain single-voltage type or is it a...

I sized my system to make sufficient power to meet minimums year-'round. In the past 30 days there were two days (consecutive) where the bank stayed in Bulk all day (did not reach Absorption voltage) but did meet needs. I think that would meet your definition of coasting. IIRC the longest run...

During my build I wanted a configurable shore power converter/charger to keep the FLA optimally charged while I was shopping for panels. I gave up trying find something that met my needs and within my budget. I ended up running a 24v meanwell-type power supply into the MPPT PV input. Worked...

OP appears to be talking about the DCC50S, which has a 25v input limit. Renogy has released a new version (RBC2125DS, UK and Aus so far) that claims to accept 50v, but who knows when that will show up in the US for actual purchase. Off the top of my head there a few 50A with solar input...

See this thread on another forum; per Kisae you can shut down charging by inducing a fake E07 condition. This could be useful for manual intervention, low-temp protection, etc.

.. One possible takeaway: stop charging LiFePO4 when it's full enough. Continuing to jam in Ah will drive imbalance.