Hi
@Axl , I will be keen to hear how you go with the upgraded (MPPT) controller and how it performs in different conditions. I assume you have fixed panels (2 X 120A ) on roof of van, so that will be a real test as you are not able to "chase the sun" as with portable panels. Don't forget that with your remote display panel, you will be able to set voltage charge setting to the optimum max setting for AGM of 14.7 volts. You may not need to purchase more solar panels if your MPPT can increase your charging performance. Cheers
@Boots in Action I will certainly let you know what happens once I get the controller installed. I don't have fixed panels on the van I currently have a set of 120w portable glass folding panels and a 120amp AGM battery. With hit and miss sun conditions this set up keeps me going around 4 days until I need the generator or mains power.
I don't have the time or the crimping tools needed to do the upgrades I want so I had a quote done last week for a 160w panel to be installed on the roof and a 20amp Victron MPPT controller which came in at $1200. I have no issues with paying that as I said I don't have the time or tools but then I thought once I get a panel stuck on the roof if I sell the van this goes with it, so with a $1200 dollar budget in mind I started looking around at portable.
I don't want another set of glass panels they take up too much room so flexible is the way I will be going. Ill have the EPever 30A MPPT installed before our next trip away on the in March so Ill be able to see how it performs then and at the price they are at now I reckon I will buy a set of the Korr flexible panels.
I don't really need the flexible panels at the moment but when my current AGM dies (its 5 year old) I will be putting two 120amp batteries in the Expanda. Ill then will have 240amp's of battery and 240amp's of solar with a 30amp MPPT feeding the batteries and as long as the sun shines this set up will well and truly keep me out of trouble, all of this will all be removable if I ever decided to sell the van.
One of the batteries will be in a Projecta type box that has cig and Anderson sockets/plugs so I can take it out of the van and take this with me to run the Engel and lights if we do any weekend tenting and both of the panels will still have their own controllers.
Oh yeah, and once I'm finished I will have plenty of change left from my original budget for beer.....
At least they roll up when not in use, my solid set could be a pain if space is short, will you swing it off side of van like an awning???? Have been told laying over vehicle ends up being not that great in the long run.
@Drover, yes mate space saving and light weight is the reason I'm going flexible. I could get a cheap pair of 120w glass panels on flea bay and bypass the regulator for under half the price of them but I don't want that.
I'm thinking that if they perform as I hope they will Ill end up with another set a few years down the track and my glass panels will become dust collectors in the shed.
Don't know how ill use them just yet but I cant wait to get into a position where I can experiment. In a couple of weeks time I will be back at Somerset chasing yabbies, we are there for 9 nights so ill get plenty of time test different scenarios with the two sets of panels drinking beer watching the amps flow.