[RE-wrenches] Component Choices for MY RV - Apollo Solar?

R Ray Walters ray at solarray.com
Thu Jul 1 08:18:11 PDT 2010


See below:

R. Walters
ray at solarray.com
Solar Engineer

On Jul 1, 2010, at 7:09 AM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:

> Dear Colleagues,
> 
> Well this one's for me!  Nice to do solar for oneself after installing for others my whole life!
> 
> I'm putting together an small RV system in my Sprinter Van that will also act as a small mobile power platform.  SUGGESTIONS?
> 
> I'm considering the following:   What would be better???
> 
> Batteries:  6 or 8 Optima Blue Tops (12 Volt System - possibly 24V) (space is limited - it's a 144" Sprinter Van)  - Other sealed alternatives you think are better?

Blue tops are a Marine type battery, not their best deep cycle battery, which is the yellow top. Personally I think the Optimas are  way over priced, and they just don't last that long. I've used them in some electric vehicle projects. I like B&B for sealed batteries.
Their spec sheet info is the best I've seen, and prices direct from the factory are excellent. 

> 
> Modules:  2 Sanyo HIP-195BA19s (have already)  & 1 undetermined 90-120 watt module (all that will fit!)  (Anyone have an extra BP 790 or an AE-90HE, AE-120HE??? or other 24" x 48" ish module?)
> 
> Charge Control:  OB FlexMax 60  or should I wait for the Midnight Classic?  (A Sunsaver MPPT will be used for the 100 watt module).  (I'll also be dumping extra power to hot water).  Or Apollo if I use the Apollo inverter below.
> 
> Inverter:  I'd like to eventually have 120/240 so I could build from the RV.  So question is:
> 
> A) One Outback 2012 now and then add another for 240 VAC later OR
> B) Apollo TSE2212  OR
> C) Magnum MS 4024 (in which case I'd have to go with a 24V pack and a 24>12 DC>DC for 12V loads)
> 
> Monitoring:  OB Mate (Flexnet?) or (Apollo ASNET if I go Apollo).
> 
> QUESTIONS?
> 
> 1)   Opinions of the Blue Top vs ???
> 
> 2)  Best RV inverter - Outback?  Apollo?  Magnum? Experience?  Vibration?  Only the Outback offers neutral switching in the transfer switch. (Does the Magnum?).  Weight is an issue as well as space.
> 
> 3)  Charge Control - Is the Classic Shipping?
> 
> Thanks for your time!
> 
> Best,
> 
> Jeff C.
> 
> -- 
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Jeff Clearwater
> Village Power Design
> 
> Solar Design Consultation for the Commercial Sector
> http://www.villagepower.com
> gosolar at villagepower.com
> 
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ™
> http://www.nabcep.org/
> 
> Voice: 831-427-2799
> Fax: 413-825-0703
> 245 Dufour St
> Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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