Help finalizing an Inverter \ PV \ Lithium \ Charge Controller shopping list and stupid questions... 03 Newmar KSDP
MichaelB said
04:42 AM Jun 21, 2016
Hi everyone, total noob here. I have been researching a lot and have already done some purchasing. Need help finalizing my shopping list so I can take my stuff to an installer to get everything up and running! Tons of stupid questions, please be gentle. lol
Ok, I recently purchased a 2003 Newmar Kountry Star Diesel Pusher and am outfitting it for energy independence. Honestly, I haven't done an energy audit... I have a desktop computer that runs at most 425 watts with monitor that I'll want to use for a couple hours a day, a 40' tv for several hours a night, a laptop and normal stuff like a phone that needs charging, and planned intermittent use of the microwave and my Vitamix blender. I figure 400ah and 640w of solar should be sufficient for my needs... and I want a solar charge controller with a little room to expand a couple more panels which may be necessary. I admit I'll probably be too lazy to tilt my panels, also don't want them easily stolen either, so if 640w of panels isn't sufficient flat mounted, I'll add a couple more panels. No, I am not planning on using A\C on solar + battery.
Here's what I already have:
Magnum Hybrid 3000w Inverter w/advanced control panel 4 Grape Solar 160w panels and flat mount hardware.
I'm about to purchase a 400ah lithium bank from Elite Power. I'm leaning towards either the 80a Outback or 100a Magnum. Any other options I should consider?
With the Elite lithium batteries, do I need an additional Lithum charger? I'm aware that I'll be buying the Elite lithium battery that comes with all the balancers. Do I need their battery management setup, or will the solar charge controller be capable of doing this itself? FWIW, I don't expect to be using the inverter charger much, if at all.
What other components should I buy or need. I'm expecting an installer to have any wiring and battery terminal stuff... are there any specific components I should pick out... like junction boxes, fuses, shutoffs or anything?
Any specific installers on the west coast that I should consider or avoid?
I'm really worried about finding a competent installer for the hybrid inverter and battery. Is that an easy job I can trust to a local RV shop or should I be willing to travel to AM or some other well-regarded experienced solar installer? I'm afraid I'm overthinking this a bit too much, but I have no clue and there isn't a whole lot of information actually out there.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. And I apologize for my disjointed post and my ignorance, I've been researching everything for at least a month and still don't have a complete idea of what I need to get to have everything prepared for an installer. Regards, Mike.
-- Edited by MichaelB on Tuesday 21st of June 2016 04:52:43 AM
-- Edited by MichaelB on Tuesday 21st of June 2016 07:31:50 AM
Hi everyone, total noob here. I have been researching a lot and have already done some purchasing. Need help finalizing my shopping list so I can take my stuff to an installer to get everything up and running! Tons of stupid questions, please be gentle. lol
Ok, I recently purchased a 2003 Newmar Kountry Star Diesel Pusher and am outfitting it for energy independence. Honestly, I haven't done an energy audit... I have a desktop computer that runs at most 425 watts with monitor that I'll want to use for a couple hours a day, a 40' tv for several hours a night, a laptop and normal stuff like a phone that needs charging, and planned intermittent use of the microwave and my Vitamix blender. I figure 400ah and 640w of solar should be sufficient for my needs... and I want a solar charge controller with a little room to expand a couple more panels which may be necessary. I admit I'll probably be too lazy to tilt my panels, also don't want them easily stolen either, so if 640w of panels isn't sufficient flat mounted, I'll add a couple more panels. No, I am not planning on using A\C on solar + battery.
Here's what I already have:
Magnum Hybrid 3000w Inverter w/advanced control panel
4 Grape Solar 160w panels and flat mount hardware.
I'm about to purchase a 400ah lithium bank from Elite Power.
I'm leaning towards either the 80a Outback or 100a Magnum. Any other options I should consider?
With the Elite lithium batteries, do I need an additional Lithum charger? I'm aware that I'll be buying the Elite lithium battery that comes with all the balancers. Do I need their battery management setup, or will the solar charge controller be capable of doing this itself? FWIW, I don't expect to be using the inverter charger much, if at all.
What other components should I buy or need. I'm expecting an installer to have any wiring and battery terminal stuff... are there any specific components I should pick out... like junction boxes, fuses, shutoffs or anything?
Any specific installers on the west coast that I should consider or avoid?
I'm really worried about finding a competent installer for the hybrid inverter and battery. Is that an easy job I can trust to a local RV shop or should I be willing to travel to AM or some other well-regarded experienced solar installer? I'm afraid I'm overthinking this a bit too much, but I have no clue and there isn't a whole lot of information actually out there.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. And I apologize for my disjointed post and my ignorance, I've been researching everything for at least a month and still don't have a complete idea of what I need to get to have everything prepared for an installer. Regards, Mike.
-- Edited by MichaelB on Tuesday 21st of June 2016 04:52:43 AM
-- Edited by MichaelB on Tuesday 21st of June 2016 07:31:50 AM
Check http://wheelingit.us/category/solar-power-2/ for an installer and lots of information.
Any idea of what I should expect to pay to have my inverter installed?