Ready to Order Solar Panels but....

[Dagwood_55]

So, after a lot of research and multiple questions I think I'm ready to order my Solar Panels. Or at least, I've got it narrowed down to 2 systems.

I have 4 6v AGM batteries, total 500 amps and a Magnum 2012 inverter/charger. When boon docking I'm using 60 to 80 amps per day. I hope to solar charge
without breaking out the Honda 2000 very often.

My first choice was 3-160 mono panels with a Morningstar Prostar Mppt 40a controler.

But for approx $800 less, I can drop down to 2- 160 panels and a Prostar 30 amp PWM controler.

Both with Solarland Tilt Mount Brackets and both with the right breakers/fuses/wiring.

Though saving $800 would make me smile, do you think I would regret it later after the 800 is spent elsewhere??
I'm thinking the smaller system be noticable on less than optium days......

Just mulling it over and looking for outside insite.

Thanks

[Wizbangdoodle]

I was in this same position. I installed 3 255 watt panels thinking that would be enough. Since we are now full timing on our property with no electricity, I have a much better idea of what it takes. Keep in mind that even the mildest cloud cover will drastically reduce your panels output. Years from now, you'll forget about the money you spent, but if you don't buy enough watts, you'll be reminded of it every time you boondock.

Sent from a trailer.

[CLturner22]

The extra panels will be worth it, believe me! There are more "less than optimal" days than you might think! So, use the extra panels to grab what light you can! It's worth it!. We have 6 280 Watt panels on our 350M and are seriously considering putting on another 1 or 2.

Oh, and you will (likely) very quickly not hesitate to use the generator, regardless. We still use ours all the time! While Solar is great, and while we can run our bedroom A/C on Solar, we quickly found out that solar isn't worth $4!7 on a really hot day...heheheh; especially when you *have* to be in that hot place and don't have a choice. Then the Gen. runs and you smile while hiding in your Reflectix clad fortress! We endured 120°+ temps outside while our 350M remained in the low 70's inside...all thanks to that beautiful generator.

At night we'd open everything up, crank on a couple of fans and the bedroom A/C and run it all off batteries, letting the AGS take care of charging when batteries dipped below a certain voltage or hit 30% SOC.

So, overestimate everything.

*edit: added more stuff*

[Crazybanshee]

I would forget the tilt mounts and spend the money on more panels.