Kristalsdreamtrip
Well-known member
I could really really use some advice on my electrical panel by someone who can see it. I'm in Mississippi, right on the Stateline and only 5 mins from Memphis. It would be greatly appreciated.
Anyone near Memphis TN?
- Thread starter Kristalsdreamtrip
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nature lover
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I’m not sure about Memphis but there is a growing list of Easter nomads and there is a planned gathering or caravan in Florida coming up in November. Look through the post called “calling all eastern nomads”. You might browse through that and find somebody close enough to contact. Browsing through that list sort of serves as a direct or a to Easter nomads. Me, now in central Pennsylvania Compton plating travels to several places including KY. Looking to Florida from November through spring, The Lord willing.
Kristalsdreamtrip
Well-known member
I'll do it! And I'll post a pic soon ty!
Kristalsdreamtrip
Well-known member
Ok this is my most recent sketch and a list of pics of gear used. These are my issues besides not knowing what I'm doing lol. I've been buying small lifepo4 16ah batteries for $59, thinking that I could keep adding them up until I have what I need to run my fridge at least. I didn't know I could only use 4 batteries at a time for a battery bank. I have 5 currently.
2. I haven't connected up my dc-dc charger because the videos look daunting. I'm just not a mechanic, so I'm hoping to find help along the way.
3. I have several meters but I'm just not sure what I need to meter.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qqe0y4u9xrpa43p/recentsketch.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/20yonw06i0c28oj/300winverter.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qgxp17zmd3vh4fw/bougervpwm30acontroller.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1lns2fvz52rkym0/30asnlfuses.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mkc6ndi7accks23/shuntedmeter.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z6jyo7knpj2qv87/250wsolarpanel.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fu3ns3odhms73ng/30adc-dc.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w6613yoxvvtpkcq/solar30afuses.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/45cog1jd1bw5agy/40abreaker.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i8bnxawvsvl23o5/kuppetfridge.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jmab9jjw6chqmx8/lifepo416ah12vbattery.png?dl=0
2. I haven't connected up my dc-dc charger because the videos look daunting. I'm just not a mechanic, so I'm hoping to find help along the way.
3. I have several meters but I'm just not sure what I need to meter.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qqe0y4u9xrpa43p/recentsketch.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/20yonw06i0c28oj/300winverter.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qgxp17zmd3vh4fw/bougervpwm30acontroller.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1lns2fvz52rkym0/30asnlfuses.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mkc6ndi7accks23/shuntedmeter.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z6jyo7knpj2qv87/250wsolarpanel.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fu3ns3odhms73ng/30adc-dc.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w6613yoxvvtpkcq/solar30afuses.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/45cog1jd1bw5agy/40abreaker.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i8bnxawvsvl23o5/kuppetfridge.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jmab9jjw6chqmx8/lifepo416ah12vbattery.png?dl=0
Ok the diagram seems to make sense to me. It's a little confusing but I think I see where you're going with it. It looks like every sketch is drawn out like an individual component. And that makes sense.
I think it will help to draw another one based on that one but showing the connections. What I mean is in the sketch to show everything connected.
Solar panel---pwm controller----battery----- and so forth. As opposed to notations to battery, bus bar, etc.
I think that will give you a better understanding of where you'll need to place everything when you install it. As far as the circuit breakers. A lot of people here are not fans of them. They're more susceptible to failure than a fuse. I.e. not disconnecting the circuit when they should have.
That controller I'm going to look up. I'm worried it may not support lithium batteries.
The fridge I'm not familiar with. Many of them use about the same amount of electricity so long as they're 12v. The huge ones use a little more obviously. Poorly insulated ones would as well. That being said.
16Ah batteries X4 will give you 64Ah of capacity. Lifepo4 has a nominal voltage of 12.8v. 64Ah X 12.8v = 819.2 watt hours. Lifepo4 you can discharge down to 20%. 819wh X 0.8 = 655.2.
So you can use 655 watt hours of your batteries capacity. I rarely use more than 400 watt hours in 24hrs 460 watt hours so far on a super hot day with my fridge running 24/7 AND a 5w fan running 24/7 so that's 120 watt hours by itself.
If that fridge is a real compressor fridge I do not see a problem running it on what you're building. I would expect you not to use more than 400 watt hours in 24hrs running that fridge even in hot southern heat.
Also remember that during the day on a sunny day the fridge will be running on the solar panels while the battery is charging. And once the battery is charged the solar panel will be running the fridge as long as it has a good amount of sun hitting it.
So some of that ~400 watt hours or less daily usage will be powered from the sun itself and not be coming out of the battery.
I think it will help to draw another one based on that one but showing the connections. What I mean is in the sketch to show everything connected.
Solar panel---pwm controller----battery----- and so forth. As opposed to notations to battery, bus bar, etc.
I think that will give you a better understanding of where you'll need to place everything when you install it. As far as the circuit breakers. A lot of people here are not fans of them. They're more susceptible to failure than a fuse. I.e. not disconnecting the circuit when they should have.
That controller I'm going to look up. I'm worried it may not support lithium batteries.
The fridge I'm not familiar with. Many of them use about the same amount of electricity so long as they're 12v. The huge ones use a little more obviously. Poorly insulated ones would as well. That being said.
16Ah batteries X4 will give you 64Ah of capacity. Lifepo4 has a nominal voltage of 12.8v. 64Ah X 12.8v = 819.2 watt hours. Lifepo4 you can discharge down to 20%. 819wh X 0.8 = 655.2.
So you can use 655 watt hours of your batteries capacity. I rarely use more than 400 watt hours in 24hrs 460 watt hours so far on a super hot day with my fridge running 24/7 AND a 5w fan running 24/7 so that's 120 watt hours by itself.
If that fridge is a real compressor fridge I do not see a problem running it on what you're building. I would expect you not to use more than 400 watt hours in 24hrs running that fridge even in hot southern heat.
Also remember that during the day on a sunny day the fridge will be running on the solar panels while the battery is charging. And once the battery is charged the solar panel will be running the fridge as long as it has a good amount of sun hitting it.
So some of that ~400 watt hours or less daily usage will be powered from the sun itself and not be coming out of the battery.
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WHY Dropbox ???????.................Pictures don't tell all the story
What is the solar panel voltage ?..........A residential panel won't be happy on that PWM controller
What is the solar panel voltage ?..........A residential panel won't be happy on that PWM controller
Kristalsdreamtrip
Well-known member
So I actually wired up the board once but keep reworking it as I get more info. https://www.dropbox.com/s/62bontg9d4m0n2i/firstboard.png?dl=0
I didn't have much money so most of what I have was donated, gifted or bought cheap. I had an igloo 12v cooler and a blue chinese controller that. I was told to junk so I got this controller. It has good reviews for the price. My girls bought me the compressor fridge that also got great reviews. I know that huge solar panel is not ideal but it's what I got so I'm going with it, fingers crossed. About the batteries, I was thinking there are several hours between sundown and bed time. Maybe if I made two separate battery packs with a couple more of those, I could use one pack at sundown, then switch to the second one at bed time. That might actually give me a little juice for minor 12v appliances like charging my usb stuff. What do you think??
Here is controller info
https://www.dropbox.com/s/t508aig1vnaq0em/pwmspecs.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ql0wa77wbdcnw72/pwminfo1.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/x19bwev085rud79/pwminfo2.png?dl=0
I didn't have much money so most of what I have was donated, gifted or bought cheap. I had an igloo 12v cooler and a blue chinese controller that. I was told to junk so I got this controller. It has good reviews for the price. My girls bought me the compressor fridge that also got great reviews. I know that huge solar panel is not ideal but it's what I got so I'm going with it, fingers crossed. About the batteries, I was thinking there are several hours between sundown and bed time. Maybe if I made two separate battery packs with a couple more of those, I could use one pack at sundown, then switch to the second one at bed time. That might actually give me a little juice for minor 12v appliances like charging my usb stuff. What do you think??
Here is controller info
https://www.dropbox.com/s/t508aig1vnaq0em/pwmspecs.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ql0wa77wbdcnw72/pwminfo1.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/x19bwev085rud79/pwminfo2.png?dl=0
Kristalsdreamtrip
Well-known member
This has been extremely difficult for me. Everytime I post, someone doesn't like at least one piece of gear so I keep replacing but I'm at the end of my money now. And I do really appreciate the advice! I want to do this as right as I can. I've learned soooo much from y'all. I've had many stomach surgeries and I need to eat the freshest foods I can so I really am working hard to get the fridge going. I'm also very sensitive to eating food bacteria so I freeze as much as I can. I've tested the fridge, it seems to freeze very fast and not draw much. I love it so far. But that's on shore power. I love the metal exterior and it got great reviews for insulation. I will also make extra insulation for the outside. Only time will tell on 12v. Wish me luck and any help I can get is great!
Kristalsdreamtrip
Well-known member
I will check panel voltage. I was pretty sure 12...
highdesertranger
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It's very important not to get discouraged because everyone has their own opinion and everyone's set up is a little different.
I would suggest before you spend anymore money to get your setup up and running. Then as time goes by you can upgrade as needed.
Highdesertranger
I would suggest before you spend anymore money to get your setup up and running. Then as time goes by you can upgrade as needed.
Highdesertranger
Kristalsdreamtrip
Well-known member
Xertyx, u are the first one to think I might have enough to run the fridge, yay! Gives me hope. If it doesn't I will not give up, just nice to hear it. ?
Kristalsdreamtrip
Well-known member
I'm so glad you asked me what voltage my panel is. It is 60v. Cal I still use it with something to make it 12v? I'm sorry, I'm clueless.
https://gogreenmansolar.com/product/whitelabel-250w-ss250p-60v-solar-panel/
https://gogreenmansolar.com/product/whitelabel-250w-ss250p-60v-solar-panel/
highdesertranger
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Yeah, you need a MPPT controller rated for at least 60v + 10%. Actually I rather have a higher voltage panel(more efficient). As an example my panels are rated at 78v and I run a 150v max controller. And yes the MPPT knocks it down to battery voltage.
A word of caution 60vdc will shock you. Ask me how I know. LOL
Highdesertranger
A word of caution 60vdc will shock you. Ask me how I know. LOL
Highdesertranger
Kristalsdreamtrip
Well-known member
Great! I'm still within the return window for my controller so off to see if I can find one I can possibly afford and still it works lol
Kristalsdreamtrip
Well-known member
And don't worry about me getting discouraged. I'm in this.. I have no choice. I either go back to a really bad marriage (never) or check into a loony bin. This solar stuff is a price of cake next to those two other options. Like I said, I really appreciate the input, good or bad and I'm learning along the way
Kristalsdreamtrip
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Piece of cake ughhh
jonyjoe303
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The 250 watt panel you have is a standard 36 volt panel, it will easily work with the controller you have or almost any other controller pwm/mppt in use. They labeled it as a 60 volt panel but the tag on the back of the panel shows the true open circuit voltage of 37.6 volts. The only drawback with pwm is you will only get about 7 amps max of output power (thats what I was getting with pwm and a 240 watt panel), later you can get an mppt controller that will get you about 12 amps of output power with your panel. But for right now it will work.
You mention that you can only hook up 4 batteries together at one time for a batterybank, but you have 5 batteries total. If your hooking them up in parallel and they are all the same voltage, there shouldnt be any problem adding more. On my li-ion batterybank, I have a total of 12x 26ah 11.1 volt batteries hooked up in parallel for a total of a 312ah batterybank. If your running your fridge in freezer mode, you will need every battery you have, maybe even add a few extra as you can afford more.
I have a 26L 12 volt compresser fridge, running at 27f it uses about 18ah a day, running at 12f it uses about 40ah a day. The colder you run your fridge the more power it will use. I didnt even try to get my fridge to "0" f since the compressor was running all the time heating up my van.
You mention that you can only hook up 4 batteries together at one time for a batterybank, but you have 5 batteries total. If your hooking them up in parallel and they are all the same voltage, there shouldnt be any problem adding more. On my li-ion batterybank, I have a total of 12x 26ah 11.1 volt batteries hooked up in parallel for a total of a 312ah batterybank. If your running your fridge in freezer mode, you will need every battery you have, maybe even add a few extra as you can afford more.
I have a 26L 12 volt compresser fridge, running at 27f it uses about 18ah a day, running at 12f it uses about 40ah a day. The colder you run your fridge the more power it will use. I didnt even try to get my fridge to "0" f since the compressor was running all the time heating up my van.
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Kristalsdreamtrip
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Ty!
