Built A tiny home, but it has solar issues

[The_realTW]

When I look at your controller, it looks like a PWM controller. A lot of those are marketed with a dishonest "MPPT" label with the loophole it is the MPPT model #, not intended to confuse anyone with a MPPT. Its in the small print, did you see it? I don't know why you're only getting 9 watts off the roof. It could be because the battery indicator (68%) is not accurate and you've actually went from bulk mode to absorption mode to float. In float mode after the battery is charged, it may very well be pushing 9 watts.

Hey there, that is both cryptic and helpful!

as for the controller not being what it is supposed to be, I’m not sure but I can assure you almost certainly that the batteries are nowhere near charged lol, they NEVER charge

as you know I have taken some course and education in solar since I was in Mexico, what would be a good first step in identifying the issue. I have my ohm meter handy. Also could this be the result of the “mystery panel” , what SHOULD be coming off that panel.

I’ll start with the batteries in a bit and report back a volt reading and we can go from there. My thoughts is the volts should add up to what is being said on the MPPT SCC, again though I think that readout is “instant” verse cumulative, like when I turn on my on demand pump to flush the toilet and the battery “level” drops 20%

lets start to really get hands on, if you guys will guide me I’m confident we can figure the system out and build it better, for now I just want the max it can give!

[chrisski]

When I look at your controller, it looks like a PWM controller. A lot of those are marketed with a dishonest "MPPT" label with the loophole it is the MPPT model #, not intended to confuse anyone with a MPPT. Its in the small print, did you see it? I don't know why you're only getting 9 watts off the roof. It could be because the battery indicator (68%) is not accurate and you've actually went from bulk mode to absorption mode to float. In float mode after the battery is charged, it may very well be pushing 9 watts.

[The_realTW]

Good morning from cold Nebraska everyone, yea it’s still cold here. I have been on solar now for more then ten days. Most days with sun the panels charge up the batteries decently, however on cloudy days my LVC lights and alarms do go off.

I noticed I’m getting 9-10 watts from the panel “array” even with full sun, yet I have a 320 watt and a 100 watt up there? Am I missing something, shouldn’t my input into the MPPT be far more even with calculated loss factors?

photo attached, I hope lol

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[The_realTW]

You seem to have a good plan. The AC is the only power I’m not sure will work. TO give you an idea of what to plan for, here’s a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woZH85EiHNY&t=4s

An Air conditioner can pull more power than a microwave and would need to be planned. A microwave may pul 155 amps, but only for 2 minutes. To me, that’s an hours worth of normal battery usage in three minutes. Using an AC can be constant. Especially if it’s your typical RV roof AC. In the video, the guy does a special mini-split install to use far less power, but look at the amount of panels he has on the roof.

Just a clarification , the AC that is installed is not your “typical RV setup” and when I did tests in the install last year it drew between 4-6 amps between “eco” setting and “max cool” settings. The small microwave by comparison drew close to 9 amps on its test.

I know there are other issues to discuss , I just wanted that cleared up. I have a new wrinkle I’ll post about shortly.

[chrisski]

You seem to have a good plan. The AC is the only power I’m not sure will work. TO give you an idea of what to plan for, here’s a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woZH85EiHNY&t=4s

An Air conditioner can pull more power than a microwave and would need to be planned. A microwave may pul 155 amps, but only for 2 minutes. To me, that’s an hours worth of normal battery usage in three minutes. Using an AC can be constant. Especially if it’s your typical RV roof AC. In the video, the guy does a special mini-split install to use far less power, but look at the amount of panels he has on the roof.

[The_realTW]

Hey everyone, well this is the post you were all waiting and asking for. Today I went out to the TW and got some photos and specs on the missing pieces you were all querying me about when I was in Mexico. I am on my fourth day of solar btw with no alarms or anything. Obviously I am NOT using the microwave (which is broken anyway) and the AC (Which its still not hot enough for), so that allows a reduced usage. Again the fridge is on 24/7 but otherwise then that just some charging and LED lights usage. Solar can be simple when its not being required to do much with a load.

Ok so most of this is photos, but some of it will need to be typed.

The main panel (which you will see in the photos) is a TrinaSolar TSM-320 watt panel, the complete specs sheet (remember I have the 320 watt model) is available at the following link, I reviewed it to the best of my ability and it looks like a decent panel, but I will leave that up to you guys.

https://static.trinasolar.com/sites/...19_A%20web.pdf

Regarding the "helper" panel that many believe was out of phase and not matched to the main panel, much still remains a mystery. I can find no brand name or logos anywhere on the panel, only a barcode and a spec label, which will also be in the photos.

The rest can be ascertained from the photos, which if you guys have any questions, Ill be happy to entertain.

My thought right now is if I want microwave and/or AC ill need more power, its obvious to me I am at a close to 2 to 1 ratio on usage/recharge cycle (What I mean is I can fully use my stored energy in one day and get it back after two days of sun) but this is also because the power going into the system is less then the battery storage capacity and also I am sure this does not take into the 20% acceptable loss factor.

I am more then happy to run some tests, dig out my OHM meter, or provide anyone who wishes to help with any readings they require.

Thanks again.

BTW I will be ready to start rebuilding this system hopefully with some of the current hardware as well, sometime late May this year. I expect to have a solid plan (hopefully with everyone's help) long before then!

Keep in mind I will be out of touch with the TW (trailer) between April 14th & May 21st, so any tests or information needed, should be requested by the 12th of April at the latest.

If anyone identifies that "helper panel" please let me know.

My thinking is possibly doubling the battery bank and increasing the solar panel array to account for this, should give me enough stored capacity to run everything every day (including some microwave and AC time) or at the very least improve my usage/recharge ratio.

OK I cannot post any images, Ill try again later, this is seriously counterproductive!

[SunEagle]

ahh so basically get it right the first time, or leave it alone!

Or wait for one of the MOD's to get the post approved. Heck that is part of our job.

[The_realTW]

I know that any editing triggers the Spam alert. That is because spammers were first posting something simple and then go back to edit it with a link or sales pitch.

ahh so basically get it right the first time, or leave it alone!

[SunEagle]

It could be but I’m back in the USA now so I can’t see why it would be also it only happens only happens when I edit a post the first post goes through but if I misspell something or need to add something that’s when it jams me up

I know that any editing triggers the Spam alert. That is because spammers were first posting something simple and then go back to edit it with a link or sales pitch.

[The_realTW]

it may be the IP address of you mobile peovider. Does it happen when your phone is in wifi mode?

It could be but I’m back in the USA now so I can’t see why it would be also it only happens only happens when I edit a post the first post goes through but if I misspell something or need to add something that’s when it jams me up

[Ampster]

Btw when I post something from my phone it flags it as spam, which seems a bit ridiculous

Any thoughts?

it may be the IP address of you mobile peovider. Does it happen when your phone is in wifi mode?

[The_realTW]

Btw when I post something from my phone it flags it as spam, which seems a bit ridiculous

any thoughts?

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[The_realTW]

Hello everyone, I wanted to update you all on the fact I have returned to the states. I also wanted to tel you that some weird things have taken place.

first, while in Mexico I completed 3 books and a “mini course” on solar, and feel quite confident that I was never given a chance with the current system, and I am ready to rebuild the “right way” once I get the tiny home back to Utah.

also coincidentally now that I’m back the guy that did my solar the first time has started calling me asking me to pay the remainder of the money I owe him for his work. Honestly not sure how I will handle that.

Back to the solar, here is a few photos of the setup. I’ll give you more later when I can get on the roof of my SUV and photograph under the panels where the labels are. I can see the labels I just can’t read them.

also regarding the current setup I returned to Nebraska to find the solar 100% charged! My suspicion is that even though these batteries were stone cold dead when I put this thing down in January, they had absolutely no draw for 50 days or so , but the solar was engaged, it probably had all the time to soak up the sun and fully recharge. The good news is that means the batteries are actually still alive, and if fully charged through the winter, they would not have low acid content which means they would not freeze.

I’m on the second night of solar use and the meter went down to 57% this morning when I got up to go to the bathroom, but after the sun came back up we went right back to 100%.

my thinking is these batteries would work with more panel applied so they can be charged properly, but I won’t know that until i can do a proper energy audit and get some KW totals.

more soon and thanks everyone!

ok apparently I cannot upload photos from the mobile side, I’ll have to get my laptop out and send them later! It’s probably a size restriction on the forum!

[The_realTW]

Hey solar peeps, just wanted to give you all an update: Not much going on with the solar right now, but other parts of the home are being recreated. I do not know if we are allowed to promote our social media here, but eventually I will give the link when I start redoing the solar.

Here is a couple workups of whats been going on with the TW, stay safe everyone. Only 13 more days until the USA, then about another week after that until I am digging it out of the snow in Frozen Nebraska!

[The_realTW]

BOOK IS CURRENTLY ON LOAN 02\28

Hey Guys, I just found out I can "loan" the solar book I bought for free. I guess it works through Amazon but you dont need to have an account. I think that is awesome as someone here might really be able to benefit from the information. Oh also I cannot use the book while it is on loan, so now would be the perfect time for someone to do this, as I do not need it until I get back to Nebraska.

I really hope this can help someone out!

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