2- what is the best type of battery to use with the solar panel, any recommended brand. thx
512267
The best type is a deep cycle, sealed battery. We sell DEKA solar batteries which are deep cycle, GEL batteries
1984438
You need a sealed (so the gasses generated by the charging process don't corrode the computer parts) deep cycle battery made for solar panels. I bought mine on Amazon. Charge it completely before you install it.
757899
Depends on the current charge rate of the solar cell array. I'd guess that the battery size is based on the power output of the cell array. One should be very cautious: lead acid batteries charge very differently than other batteries.
270175
You must use a solar charge controller and absolutely 'not' connecting the solar panel to the battery bank directly. I'm using Xantrex inverter, but there're a few brands work well also. Make sure it's a "true sine" wave inverter, well worth the money. You also want to look into if you want just an inverter or an inverter with charger? The combined unit may save you some time in troubleshooting problems later on. Talk to a few RV installers before making purchase, and avoid the shops who say they'll do whatever you want.
375513
That's a great battery for an inverter, but I wouldn't go any larger on the inverter with that size battery. Just watch your usage and time so that you don't run the battery all the way down.
1509654
I highly recommend using a charge controller with any solar panel to eliminate problems that you are speaking of. After I started using a charge controller I have not had any problems at all. Even on a 5 watt panel I would use a charge controller.
1523593
I purchased this after reading the other responses and can confirm. I'm using a single Solarworld 250w panel (24v) with two 6v Sun eXtender batteries (wired for 12v). Works great.
813632
I've got two 24 Series AGM Batteries I use with my Trolling Motor and while taking a few hours off due to the afternoon heat I'll hook up my Solar Panels {2} and it picks my Batteries up somewhat to last the rest of the day until I charge them at night.
352794
I would think a 158ish ah battery would be more appropriate. You never want to take a battery below 50%. There are many factors to consider if this panel is suffient... Where you live, solar aspect, clouds and to get a better calculation, we would need to know the power draw in watts.
270173
In order to safely and effectively charge your batteries the panels should run to a solar charge controller, I use Morningstar and they are what was recommended to me, then to your battery. The controller manages the incoming and outgoing voltage so that you don't over charge or over discharge your batteries. Whenever sunlight hits the panels they produce electricity and you need the help of our robot overlords manage the awesome power of the sun.
2055357
You always need a Solar Charge Controller between the solar panel and the battery. This particular solar panel comes with a solar charge controller, so you don't need to buy one. You will need to connect it. The controller that came with the panel I bought is not high quality. I purchased a separate charge controller. The charge controller needs to be rated for 12 V battery and at least 2 A (amps). There are many available. How you connect to the battery depends on the battery terminals. I need reliability, so I bought ring crimp-connectors that fit the clamps on the battery.
1605298
First, I bought one to keep a deep cycle battery charged up. Second, I would not use the 160 watt panels as they would not be cost effective (you would probably need lots).Instead look at the 250-300watt panels. As to the #, it depends on how much power you consume, and how much of that you want to generate, ie, 5-10KWH per day.
1316172
Buy a Solar charge controller 10 watts to the battery after you hook it up via the instructions that come with it. Cost for controller was eleven bucks. No chance of overcharging your battery. The thing ,35 watt panel, charges my battery in about 6hrs.
1855639
Hey Edwars O. Not sure. What type/sort of system are you putting together? 6V 12V? What are you needing to run, and for how long? What are your energy needs? I can't answer your question my friend without more info. I personally use the 400 watt system with another 100 watt panel. I match my batt bank so every 100 watt of solar for 100Ah of storage. Yes, it is over kill for just myself! I'm still in the learning processes if you will. The panels that come with this kit have zero issues with charging the batteries on cloudy days. I'm very happy with this basic system so far!!
2077942
Melissa,Happy New Year, & the answer to your ? is that I only use the iGogreen Energy batteries. I litteraly only use those & I'm very pleased with them. It's been over a year since I've first started & I'll never go back. Hey, you can always try or call/email the Co. !
1512723
I used the 200w report solar panel system to charge that batt. 3 of us ran laptops and phones as well as a heavy water pump and the solar panel kept it full almost always. Did this for 17 days. I'm not sure how much AGM batteries are meant to deep cycle though so look into that.
1075037
I use a 10 watt solar panel to maintain my two 12 volt deep cycle travel trailer batteries with a battery tender monitoring the charge. The batteries are always fully charged and ready to go when I am.