Jim Beletti
Well-known member
I believe this is the one: https://richsolar.com/products/200-watt-24-volt-solar-panel
Specs for the actual panels that I used are in the images at the link in post number 18 of this thread.
Solar Panel System Installed on my 2024 Delta 262RB
- Thread starter Jim Beletti
- Start date
Specs for the actual panels that I used are in the images at the link in post number 18 of this thread.
Thanks Jim, I appreciate it. I called into Rich, opened up a ticket and asked a bunch of questions. They're telling me the 150/70 should work as well, but I'm still questioning it. The explorist.life charge controller calculator is telling me I need a 250/85. This seems really odd to me. Maybe I'm missing something or entering the values incorrectly.
12V battery bank
6x 200W 24V panels - 3S2P
Voc =45.4V
Panel Wattage = 200W
ISC = 5.83A
Max Fuse Rating = 15A
3S2P
Temp Coefficient = -.039
Temp = (doesn't matter much, but call it -20F/-29C
Results:
6x 200w Solar Panels wired in a 3s2p configuration will result in those 1200 Watts being delivered to the charge controller at 165V when the temperature drops to the low temperature as previously defined.
Once the Charge Controller Converts those 165V from the solar array down to the ~14.5V necessary to charge a 12V battery bank, the charge controller will be putting out 83A to charge the battery bank.
Important Numbers:
- Solar Array Wattage: 1200W
- Temperature Compensated Array Voltage: 165V
- Controller Output Amperage: 83A
- Array Short Circuit Amperage: 11.66A
- Max Series Fuse Rating: 15A
RECOMMENDED CHARGE CONTROLLER
Note: If there are multiple charge controllers listed below; all are suitable, but the one at the top of the list is the best for this array and the most cost-effective choice.
SHOP ON EXPLORIST.LIFE
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250|85
Max Solar Array Voltage: 250V
Max Solar Array Amperage Output: 85A
Max Solar Wattage
- 12V Battery Bank: 1200W
- 24V Battery Bank: 2400W
- 48V Battery Bank: 4900W
Jim Beletti
Well-known member
Yup, that'd do it! Victron no longer allows "custom" panel input and they don't have the proper Rich panel loaded out of a list of 164K panels. Surprising given how many they list for Rich, but oh well.
At any rate, if I use explorist life and set it at the highest F, which is 40*F it spits out a rec of 150/85. So there you go. That said, if you haven't been having problems, that's great--assuming warmer summer temps. I will likely be taking this trailer cold camping though, so I'll need to plan for the worst. Was hoping to save a few bucks on the MPPT, but looks like I'll need to probably stick with the 250/80--that's assuming I can get 6 panels up there. I'll find out for sure tomorrow when I pick her up from storage.
FWIW, I did email explorist.life and ask them to validate. He responded back right away and ask me to send screen shots. I obliged and am awaiting a response. My guess is he's going to confirm given potential volts and amps at lower temps.
@Jim Beletti Sorry, one more question! What product did you use to secure the wiring to the roof? I'm starting to order parts/pieces.
Did you drill those or did you stick them down with something? My hope is I won't need too many.
I've revised my plan to do 6x 200W 12V panels in a 3S2P config. This will allow me to use the existing stock panel, use a Victron 150/85 MPPT and still have the potential for up to 83A of charging at 14.4. I'll install bus bars in the passthrough and remount my 100/30 for use with a deployable.