Too much solar?

[GotSmart]

Perhaps excessively adequate. 

I have 2 inches at the maximum.

 

[GrantRobertson]

What are those panels sitting on top of? It looks like a custom made cab-over shell of some sort.

 

[blars]

I'm planning to go with the Tristar MPPT also.  It looks like I will be able to program the Tristar to properly deal with a 100AH LiFeMnpo4 GBS 12v battery pack.  I just don't yet know what the solar power reconnect voltage set point will be, or how to set it, as I will need shut off float and equalize entirely in MSview.  Hopefully Morningstar tech support will be able give me that answer tomorrow am.

Hmm, I was thinking of putting the three panels in series.  I looks like wiring them in parallel might be a better idea.

I'm using a Tristar MPPT 60 with my LiFePO4 bank. I set it to charge to 14.0v for 1/2 hour, then float at 13.4v. The "float" allows the solar to power my loads while charging the battery very slowly. 13.27v is the high end of the flat spot on the discharge curve for my batteries -- if you set float less than that they will remain mostly charged without further discharge. The Tristar goes back to MPPT mode when the voltage drops more than about 0.1v below the float setpoint. My batteries are at "float" only a few hours a day, I would not leave float that high for a long time like on a plugged-in converter.

Parallel is best if you will ever have partial shading of you panels.

 

[29chico]

I'm using a Tristar MPPT 60 with my LiFePO4 bank.  I set it to charge to 14.0v for 1/2 hour, then float at 13.4v.  The "float" allows the solar to power my loads while charging the battery very slowly.  13.27v is the high end of the flat spot on the discharge curve for my batteries -- if you set float less than that they will remain mostly charged without further discharge.  The Tristar goes back to MPPT mode when the voltage drops more than about 0.1v below the float setpoint.  My batteries are at "float" only a few hours a day, I would not leave float that high for a long time like on a plugged-in converter.

Parallel is best if you will ever have partial shading of you panels.

Great input, thanks!  Read the lithium battery stuff in your blog.  By tinkering with my 40ah LiFePo4 pack and a ton of research I have come to pretty much the same conclusions that you have regarding the care and feeding of this kind of battery pack in house battery service.

What brand of cells are you you using in your house bank?

 

[ZoNiE]

You don't think that 6-7 inches vertical between the bottom of the solar laminate and the top of the trailer roof is inadequate to provide proper ventilation?

That really depends on how you vent the vehicle I guess. I was thinking typical 14" RV roof vent/fantastic fan, but there are some other types of vents you could use instead that would fit under that.

 

[blars]

What brand of cells are you you using in your house bank?

Balqon/Winston 260Ah cells. Some people have reported slow shipping from them, but I did not have any problem. They do have the hardware for the cells, but it is not listed on their web page.