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Forum Index : Solar : Caravan Solar System

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Tinker

Guru

Joined: 07/11/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1904
Posted: 01:34pm 04 Nov 2011
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Well, I have only experience with my unit. It may not be a flash mass produced product (I did check the inside) but it looks rugged and up to the job. There was an odd fault though, the unit would after initial switch on take the battery voltage up to equalising level correctly before backing down to float level. But it did this only once and never again day after day (unless switched off again). I queried this and was told the unit should reset after each night and mine apparently needs re programming. Unfortunately I had to return it to NSW (from WA) for this which was a bit inconvenient. But they returned it after a short time and its now doing a sterling job keeping my battery bank charged.
They were helpful with my e-mail queries, good service for me.

When I compare the GSL unit to the two Kipoint MPPT's I got from Taiwan, the latter certainly looks like a large production run design. But it gets hot (no fan inside) and the output does not drop to float level after the batteries are full. Also, a small accident while connecting it up rendered one unit kaputt and returning it to Taiwan at my expense was not worthwhile. I did manage to find the two burnt surface mount diodes and replaced them myself so its working again now and I keep it as a standby.

BTW, I used to work in the electronics industry before retiring and am familiar with PCB board intricacies. Nothing wrong with hand soldering and through hole plating is standard with the complexity of today's circuits.
Klaus
 
Dinosaur

Guru

Joined: 12/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 311
Posted: 08:59pm 04 Nov 2011
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Hi Tinker

I am glad that you are happy with the GSL unit, after all it is what it does for you.
Nothing wrong with hand soldering and through hole plating is standard with the complexity of today's circuits.
Through hole plating still has to be done with any via, but the problem with hand soldering is that there is a human involved.
I have done probably a couple of thousand boards in my time, and if you only do 6 or so at any one time, you can keep the concentration to make good joints. A lot depends on the age (and thus the oxidisation) of the blank boards.
Otherwise ,a year or more later you are chasing dry joints.

Sending your controller back is a problem for me, as I will be full time in the van for a year or two.
Probably have to keep a second unit spare, as any controller can fail.

REgards
Regards
Hervey Bay Qld.
 
64bit
Newbie

Joined: 21/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2
Posted: 10:00am 23 Nov 2011
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The larger home type solar panels on vans break. Had a picture sent to me today showing two 180W panels broken. Glass area is to large and resonance destroys the panels. Max panel size should be 12V 140W panels. On some vans and m/h the odd 140W panel self destructs. Nothing like the high failure rate of grid connect size panels.
12V panels are more efficient for van. Won't achieve much with an MPPT controller at all flat mounted.
All electronic MPPT are not desirable or efficient on low voltage <48V. Personally would not touch an all electronic MPPT. Copper still has a valuable function in quality MPPT.
Suggest you consult the van wiring and van solar gurus. Lot more to plonking a solar system on a van.
 
Dinosaur

Guru

Joined: 12/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 311
Posted: 08:38pm 23 Nov 2011
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Hi All

There have been reports of people mounting the panels on the flexible roof
of the caravan, instead of using the roof structure to secure the panels.
Other then that I have read hundreds of posts on different forums and not seen any
reports of broken panels.But you can always learn.

I have not yet decided if I am mounting the panels flat. Yes during travel they will
be flat, but currently deciding on a simple tilt mechanism that will allow tilt
in four directions. (so I dont have to park the van in a special way.)

As far as MPPT is concerned, I believe it is the best way to go,considering my
installation where I will use higher voltage pv's. And lets face it, if I get 1%
more charge, at least I am using a later design unit that won't be out of date for repair, and still has advantages over 2 stage pwm units.
Regards
Hervey Bay Qld.
 
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