GlennWest

Yes it is. I also been kicking around the idea of cooling the volt battery.  Not that I think it's needed. A small container with antifreeze, some tubing and a small pump. 

The bolt battery is 17kw. Steve Dixion told me runs his entire unit, mini splits and all with the volt battery. He had 3 stacked Magnums 4400

While on subject of welding lead. I plan to use a chevy volt battery complete. I am aware of the golfcart fire. going to build a metal box for mine. It is sealed in a metal box originally. 

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I was planning on #4 welding lead to controller. I have a lot of that on hand.

Thanks. You guess my thoughts on this. Knew big deal with batteries. 

So I could just wire like the diagram, panel to panel. Then run 2 lines, one positive, one negative to box for penetration. 

Lou's diagram is not showing a combiner box if I reading this correctly. I know I still need to go to larger wire in a box though for down to the controller. Will bringing all the pairs to a central point, combiner box, 10 (positive and negative) wires, keeping wire length equal,  benefit?

1 hour ago, Chad Heiser said:

When I design the systems I use or build, I always hope for the best but plan for the worst.  In my case that meant having two inverters (one whole house and one dedicated to the refrigerator for redundancy and efficiency when traveling).  My large inverter is also a Hybrid inverter that allows the system to augment low output shore power with inverted battery power.  I also broke my panels into three series strings of two rather than two strings of three or one string of six, again for redundancy.  Finally, I have a built in 240 volt capable generator just in case all else fails. 

My system is all based on Magnum equipment because DRV started with a Magnum inverter from the factory.  As I have mentioned in other threads.  If I were designing a new system from scratch, I would probably go all Victron.  I like some of the advanced technology they have for remote monitoring that Magnum does not offer.  I also like the fact they offer more options for solar controllers.  I would run two large inverters, one on each leg of the 50 amp panel and program them to be capable of 240 volt operation (because I have a 240 volt dryer in my rig).  This would also offer some redundancy if one happened to die on me.  I would probably also run multiple (at least two) smaller charge controllers in series for a large solar array.  Again for some redundancy in case I ever had an issue with one of the controllers.  The only thing I haven't decided on is whether I would go with a high voltage battery bank (48 Volt) or stay with a 12 volt bank.  I like the advantages a higher voltage bank offers, but I am still not convinced a step down DC to DC converter will work in the long hall to run things like leveling jacks and slides.  There are some out there doing it, but no one has been doing it for a long time yet.  By the time I am ready to build my next system, hopefully there will be enough data on the DC to DC converters to see if they will handle high amperage loads over the long hall.  Of course I would build all of this around a lithium battery bank (regardless of what voltage I decided to go with).

On the jacks and slide outs, I am considering to just use 1 battery and leave converter in place. Know I be using inverted power to run a converter but it is simple.

Ok, don't get this. trying to draw it out and just can't grasp it. What is 5 strings of 2? 

35 minutes ago, Lou Schneider said:

Here's a quick sketch.  The Victron MPPT 150/70 or above controller will handle this for a 48 volt battery.  Note the Victron controllers are rated for an absolute maximum 150 volts input voltage, which rules out more than three panels in each series string.

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Datasheet-BlueSolar-charge-controller-MPPT-150-45-up-to-150-100-EN.pdf

 

Learned something here. Did not know one could wire like this and get these results. According to this it is 5 times panel amps and doubles volts.

Chad, planning to run entire Teton on battery. This likely be 10,000 watts. Two 5k inverters are lots more money over a single larger unit. But I have had one Freedom inverter/charger fail so far. So they will go out sometime. I will need 240 but my panel allows that as long as both legs are hot.

1 minute ago, Chad Heiser said:

This is typically true, but if you get a faulty panel for whatever reason it can kill your entire string.  With multiple series strings, a faulty panel will only kill the string it is in rather than the whole system.  In the mobile environment, I plan for redundancy.  You may never need it, but it is nice to have.  What if a tree limb or some other hazard smashes a panel as you are going down the road.  With one big series string, your whole array is dead.  If you break them up into at least two strings or potentially five strings, then you will still have productivity from the array.

That is very sobering, thank you

Reason I was considering all series is as I understand all modern panels have diodes in them.

Know it is asking a lot, but can you give me a diagram of your 5 strings of two panels. Also is they a disadvantage to lowering the voltage under 150v to say 100v.

I understand below controller. 48v battery, lithium. I was going by charts on line to get those figures. Trying to wrap my head around the solar wiring.

That is why I asking. Trying to figure this out. Was planning on using Victron equipment. So you saying parallel half the panels and serial them together? Probably the Victron MPPT 150/70-MC4 (12/24/36/48). Yes, I overlooked the 150v limit. Thanks

Researching for future solar upgrade and got questions. Looking at Mission 355 watt 72 cell panels, VMP 38.98. 10 panels.  If wired in series will have 390 volts and 9.1 amps. This would work with #10 wire if short enough. With these large a setup, the wires going to controller will be long. Wires will come from each end to storage bay. I see no way around not using #6 or #8 wire. Am I correct in this. Not that it is a big deal, just planning now. From what I researched #6 at 10 amps will work up to 29 ft with 2% loss.

Can be done by mail, just don;t know if you can. I know dealers do.

I bought our Teton from a private owner in Texas and we are Texas residents, We took the bill of sale to the tax office, ours is in Walker county. They made a new title and we paid the taxes and fees. Now I just put the plates off of my DRV to get it to the rv park but that not the proper way. Need to get a temp tag. Now before everyone jumps on me, in NC, that is a common practice since they transfer tags. Texas issues one.

Amazies me that y'all speak of stress from work. Work is relaxing to me. I actually wear ear buds listening to music while I weld.

I don't have a stressful job. Was in one when self employed and got out of that. Yes, we agree there, but can't see one staying in a stressful job.And I sleep better when working also. But I wasn't talking about you and stated such. What i see is what i see. 

Might be true for yall but ii have seen so many people die within 2 years of retiring. Also seen many continue working and live long lives. Not saying this works for everyone but an inactive lifestyle shortens one's life.

We in Gladewater TX for a job in Tyler.

We have Coachnet. Never needed them. Bought it due to recommendations on this site.

Check orfice for trash.