So, in a previous thread I asked some questions about how much solar I might actually need (see here in case it helps anyone else out: https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Calculating-solar-capacity)
I went for 2 of the Kyocera 340watt solar panels, for a total of 680 watts. Here they are for specs and reference: https://www.solar-electric.com/kyocera-ku340-8bca-solar-panel.html So now the time has come to pick a proper charge controller, and I wanted to double check if I have this correct or not first, since this may potentially be another large purchase. I dont want to get something that's overkill if I don't really need it. There's 3 things I want to try and highlight here and make sure are correct:
1. the charge controller itself
2. wire size
3. fuses
Everywhere I've looked so far, the equation seems to be Total Watts / battery bank voltage + 25%. So, judging by this, and the size of the battery bank I was recommended in my previous thread, my total amps should be 680/12vdc+25% = ~71 amps total. So in rounding up (as recommended), I would need an 80 amp charge controller, correct? Is there any other information I need to take into consideration here? I was looking around for 80amp charge controllers and the one made by outback seems to be one of the best charge controllers in this range: https://www.amazon.com/Outback-FM-8...&sr=8-2&keywords=80amp+mppt+charge+controller
Has anyone else used this? It appears to also contain all the information I might need about the system on the display, which is nice. I have seen other systems where you need to get a monitor separately and I would rather have everything in 1 if I can. I believe I watched some videos on this particular model a few weeks ago, and it was highly recommended.
Now as for the wire size, I purchased a few cables with the correct H4 connectors when I purchased the panels. They are 10 gauge wire. I started looking around however, and according to this article, since I plan on putting these 2 panels in parallel, I should go with a gauge between 3-8: https://www.windynation.com/jzv/inf/choosing-right-wire-size. If this is the case, what size would you guys recommend I go with? Could anyone recommend a place to get cables of this size with the appropriate connectors?
For the fuses, do I just use the same size amperage as the charge controller? I have tried to research what exactly I need, but I'm not sure I totally understand. I believe what I need to do is fuse between the panels and the charge controller, and between the charge controller and the batteries. I think I need some kind of combiner box from the solar panels to the charge controller? I'm kind of in the dark in this area, so any help here is appreciated.
Am I on the right track here? At this point I know what I'm trying to do, just not exactly what type of hardware I need to do it with.
I went for 2 of the Kyocera 340watt solar panels, for a total of 680 watts. Here they are for specs and reference: https://www.solar-electric.com/kyocera-ku340-8bca-solar-panel.html So now the time has come to pick a proper charge controller, and I wanted to double check if I have this correct or not first, since this may potentially be another large purchase. I dont want to get something that's overkill if I don't really need it. There's 3 things I want to try and highlight here and make sure are correct:
1. the charge controller itself
2. wire size
3. fuses
Everywhere I've looked so far, the equation seems to be Total Watts / battery bank voltage + 25%. So, judging by this, and the size of the battery bank I was recommended in my previous thread, my total amps should be 680/12vdc+25% = ~71 amps total. So in rounding up (as recommended), I would need an 80 amp charge controller, correct? Is there any other information I need to take into consideration here? I was looking around for 80amp charge controllers and the one made by outback seems to be one of the best charge controllers in this range: https://www.amazon.com/Outback-FM-8...&sr=8-2&keywords=80amp+mppt+charge+controller
Has anyone else used this? It appears to also contain all the information I might need about the system on the display, which is nice. I have seen other systems where you need to get a monitor separately and I would rather have everything in 1 if I can. I believe I watched some videos on this particular model a few weeks ago, and it was highly recommended.
Now as for the wire size, I purchased a few cables with the correct H4 connectors when I purchased the panels. They are 10 gauge wire. I started looking around however, and according to this article, since I plan on putting these 2 panels in parallel, I should go with a gauge between 3-8: https://www.windynation.com/jzv/inf/choosing-right-wire-size. If this is the case, what size would you guys recommend I go with? Could anyone recommend a place to get cables of this size with the appropriate connectors?
For the fuses, do I just use the same size amperage as the charge controller? I have tried to research what exactly I need, but I'm not sure I totally understand. I believe what I need to do is fuse between the panels and the charge controller, and between the charge controller and the batteries. I think I need some kind of combiner box from the solar panels to the charge controller? I'm kind of in the dark in this area, so any help here is appreciated.
Am I on the right track here? At this point I know what I'm trying to do, just not exactly what type of hardware I need to do it with.