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You could use 12 AWG (20-25a rated) but 10awg would certainly cover it. There really is no reason to go 8awg.

Check the voltage of the 2 older panels with a meter while they are in the sun but not connected to anything. They should read close to Voc. You can also do an amperage check if you know how to hook up your meter. Many DMM's allows up to 10a and a 100w panel is likely around ~6a Isc. One...

The Magnum has one of the best manuals I have ever reviewed. Too bad that the unit is hobbled by lack of on device control/readout panel and battery selection types. It is another High class unit that seems to be stuck in the past (I notice the Manual was copyrighted for 2016). It could use some...

Sorry but my efforts to implement it a couple of years ago were disappointing so I instead went to an AIO. Much easier to work with.

Perhaps some standardization of definitions would help. Each SCC with MPPT your AIO has connects to its own PV array. Each Array has panels that are wired in series and parallel. A group of panels that are series connected form a string which is wired to a combiner box or Y connector. You can...

Most of the mobile inverters lack any ability to adjust low voltage shutdown. Workarounds with a external low voltage relay tend to be hard to implement and often do not do what you want. Your best option is to buy those inverters that allow you to adjust various voltage events. These tend to be...

Schneider made good equipment but they seem stuck in the 80's and 90's when it comes to innovation.

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I described some of the things I would like to see in my Thread on Off grid AIO: https://diysolarforum.com/threads/an-off-grid-aio-i-would-like-to-see.83391/ along with others. I am not all that conversant with EG4 products other than what I read here on the Forum but I noted some issues with...

With new solar panels being so low cost I would suggest not buying used unless they were practically free for the taking. Go 48vDC battery since you are likely to expand the loads you wish to power in the future. Since you are only going to be temporary at first going the component route for SCC...

Higher voltage less amps. This can favor the 48vDC to allow for smaller cable for heavier and more loads. 24vDC however is a bit less cost to get into and a bit safer to work with. Some folks that have gone the 24vDC route (I am one) can feel trapped by the sunk costs preventing easy switch over...

Well heck, I just purchased a Ampinvt 24vDC, 5000w split phase inverter charger. They had one for special sale of Used -Like New on their website for such a good price ($460 with free shipping) I decided I could not pass it up. I had been thinking of having a 240vAC split phase supply for those...

I have no idea if it is reliable or if it would last. I just know from the measurements for size of the fold-able panels that the 120w rating is likely to be accurate. Not a small thing for many of these portable kits. One thing I am not sure of is if the pictured USB power converter is...

Uh no.. The input to the AIO from a 120vAC source would work to charge from is the gist of my request. If a 240vAC input was available it would work normally. I agree it is a Unicorn until someone makes it. My thread here is a shout out to the void to see if any Solar inverter company is...

The first thing I would check is all your connections. Having voltage unloaded does not always tell you if a connection is good. Summer with subsequent heat cause materials to expand and could contribute to a poor connection issue.

Just got done adding some new panels and my budget is a bit depleted. Unfortunately I start paying for medicare next month and I lose $175 from my monthly worthless old guy pension payment. May be awhile before any other purchases can be made. I will just have to wait and see what the wind and...

It doesn't do what I want. Victron, while fine equipment, lacks the features I mentioned in my first post. It is only split phase when you combine 2. It has no integrated SCC's, no control panel on unit for settings and is lacking off grid certification.

Thanks to the internet there is many places you can find information. For instance if you Google "Fundamentals of heat transfer" there are many resources including videos and books. Or you can search "understanding Solar Energy".

Ack! Victron. Only cost you your first born child (heck with arm and leg costs). Being an old solitaire, that never reproduced, I lack the necessary child.

Sure it is. You can feel it can't you? If it was gone immediately the panel would not get hot. Does it dissipate due to transfer to the environment? Yes. Eventually all heat does this. But for a while it is stored. People use thermal mass to attenuate and store heat for longer periods. It don't...

Potential energy the unloaded panel gets from the sun's energy is stored as heat. Walk out and put your hand on a unloaded panel in the sun and you can feel it. Heat is not convertible by the panel to electricity so it does not contribute to anything other than warming up the surroundings...

Based on size of panel I would estimate it is 25-30w. Thus about 2-2.5amps max charging a 12vDC battery. Hard to say what your fan is without an amp draw or wattage rating. A 7ah battery may not have enough to run it for more than a hour. (75w fan) One question I have is the hookup of the fan...

Spotted a company selling some split phase AIO units that operate off 24vDC. https://store.tumo-int.com/ They have one at 2kW and another at 3kW. Never heard of them before but they seem to have a line up of wind turbines, various SCC with MPPT, Inverter chargers, hybrid AIO and grid tie...

All things can be dealt with for more money. But a simple specification on maximum amount of panel wattage in the manual is essentially free.

You have to insert the wire with crimped on terminal fully until it clicks into the body of the MC4. If it is not fully inserted it would be very difficult to attach the cable gland and screw.

My theory is Duty cycle. It is one thing to run at 100% for a couple of hours. It is quite another to run for a lot more hours at full capacity. Being massively over paneled can result in the SCC being unable to last.

You need to understand energy transfer. The sun provides the energy. We average this at highest production to be 1000w per square meter of area. Solar panels take some of that energy and convert it to electrical power (the amount they can utilize is called efficiency). Thus if you have sunlight...

Yes there are inverter/chargers that would handle your needs. Likely anything 3kW upwards. From the list of your loads it appears that it could be just a 120vAC model. To charge your battery from PV, wind, or hydro will require an appropriate charge controller. To grow your system simply would...

Does any of the handymen you know have basic electrical knowledge and trouble shooting skills? Without either you or them having this it is just about impossible to remotely figure out what your system needs to be operational again.

Your original question was answered. If you wish to learn more about solar the Forum here has many resources you can look through as well as simply asking. Incidentally it is always a good idea to read the manual that comes with any equipment you buy. It should tell you proper procedure for...

If you do not entertain the idea that you might pay his asking price than a meeting is a pointless thing. I hate people that throw low ball offers at me when I am selling something and they waste my time by not telling me ahead of what they might pay. Dickering over the price is a understood...

You do not want to totally discharge them. That would mean you could not restore the chemical state by recharge. Yes you can take them down to the point that not much chemical reaction is happening but lower than that is a inert battery.

PV panels without load only produce voltage. We call that Voc (Volt open cell). This voltage amount is higher than Vmp (Volts max production) which is the panels voltage when it is creating power under an amperage draw. The amperage rating of the panels is a similar thing Isc (Current short...

It is not the matter of being able to absorb the PV energy as much as it screws the logic of the controller that uses the battery voltage to set proper charging conditions as it powers itself from the battery. Disconnecting the battery removes battery voltage, being fully charged does not...

I would guess they demand he stop using another source of electricity and shut off his meter if he failed to comply. It would be within their right to do so.