Questions about Siemen panels

Posted by Thomas Anderson on September 11, 2009, 02:55:07 AM

Re: Questions about Siemen panels (Reply #10)

A couple of suggestions:

1) From my admittedly stereotypical envisioning of AZ, it's probably dusty. Keep the panels wiped clean as much as possible. A haze of dust could diminish power significantly.

2) Get yourself a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controller. Right now, with no CC, if you have enough solar in the morning or evening to only produce, say, 10V, then it will do nothing for you. You can't charge your batteries with 10V. An MPPT CC will do some electronic magic and boost the voltage (by robbing the amperage) so that you have enough voltage even in low-light conditions to charge your batteries. This may significantly extend the usable period of the day and improve performance on cloudy days. A CC will also ensure that your batteries are not overcharged or charged too quickly, thus extending their life and providing better safety against fire or explosion.

Posted by The other Michael B on September 11, 2009, 04:23:19 PM

Re: Questions about Siemen panels (Reply #11)

I gonna asked if it is a good idea to use Lemon Pledge on them. We camp at the Imperial Sand Dunes just west of Yuma, AZ and at times, it can get quite dusty.

I am working on installing my Trimetric 2020, but got slowed down with back problems. I'm gonna see what that shows before I invest a lot more money into this project. Like I said earlier, these 2 - 48W panels were given to me.

I think my 2/7/05 T-105s are shot. I charged, equalized and de-sulfated them and after 2 days off the charger and no load, they were down to 9.6V.

Anybody out there have a used MTTP CC for sale? I only need one that can handle 6 amps.

Posted by Thomas Anderson on September 11, 2009, 09:06:28 PM

Re: Questions about Siemen panels (Reply #12)

Quote from: Mike Beatty on September 11, 2009, 04:23:19 PM

I gonna asked if it is a good idea to use Lemon Pledge on them.

I wouldn't. Just glass cleaner or soapy water.

Posted by Michael B on September 11, 2009, 09:10:50 PM

Re: Questions about Siemen panels (Reply #13)

Aahhh! No lemon pledge. Probably wouldn't hurt anything, but mild soap (dish or car) and water is fine.
You should be looking for a cc capable of aprox. 10 amps. A 6 amp one will be a bit to small I think. Mppt is a great suggestion though. Check out the products from Solar Converters Inc. if you cant find something used for cheap. They make some small, simple mppt cc for a reasonable price.
-m
ps. sorry to hear about your Trojans, sounds terminal...

Posted by The other Michael B on September 12, 2009, 09:23:27 AM

Re: Questions about Siemen panels (Reply #14)

I was thinking the Pledge would help repel dust.. That's what they promote on their newest version.

I bought a new 10A HQRP PWM CC on Ebay for $30 that said it had a digital LCD display. The same seller had some that didn't have the display for the same price and when I questioned him, he said they didn't send him the ones with the digital display, so I got out of buying it.

I was hoping someone here here might have a spare one laying around, but will check out Solar Converters Inc.

I'll probably get some Sam's Clubs cart batteries for $73 each when the dune season starts. I'd get some hydro readings, but they are in a 13x15x12 enclosure and I would have to disconnect them and remove them. My back would not like that at all.

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