wd8cdh wrote:
> It looks like you can hook your 80 W panel up directly for a while without
> harm even with the IOTA running.
Yessir, I did that, and I got three 80s instead of just one (got a deal worthy of a pirate
.
> Your first charge if they haven't been used for 6 months would be about
> 30 hours with a current limit of about 2.2A and a voltage limit of 16.5V (per
> string).
And for now, I connected each panel to a different string (with it's own fuse and switch) to make sure I got a nice even charging at low amperage. Of course, that means I can't track the input with my TM500 right yet, but it is very nice none the less!
I've actually had the inverter switch itself off from a peak input of over 15.5v on the second day I was charging, and I was hearing some slight bubbling, but not since. I'm guessing they were just getting nicely stirred up?
Now, getting much more than 13.9 v on the total bank is an achievement, but it takes a LOOOONG time to get down to 12v... easily 100AH. I think that there's still room in the batteries for more juice.
And then, when I get a trencher in to bury the cables to the windmill, and get that new inverter...
.
Thanks!
Cap'n Jack