I'm revising and adding to an existing SMB build, so I have a Group 4 battery mounted under the floor, a Blue Seas automatic charging relay and a Progressive Dynamics charger that I may or may not incorporate in the new work. I want to add solar charging and an inverter - although not a huge one - enough for charging a laptop or some other occasional AC requirements.
Looking for recommendations on solar panels and a charge controller, battery monitor and direction on coordinating all of those charging methods (solar, charging from the Sprinter charging system and potential shore-line use when needed). I've been reading everything I can on electrical systems and poring over the schematics posted on here, but I'm coming up with varying conclusions on how to proceed and what components to acquire, so throw some more ideas out there, if you would, please!
I can see how it would be advantageous to go with one brand of battery monitor/charge controller (Victron seems to be an especially designed/manufactured brand), but help me out with the advantages/disadvantages of buying a solar package (like the Renogy packages sold by Amazon) where one manufacturer provides the panels, charge controller and inverter. Are the controllers in those packages significantly less capable than other on the market? There's a lot of gear out there and it's a confusing and complex prospect to try to assemble a capable, flexible system.
Thanks in advance for your help and advice!
Pete
Reno, Nevada
Looking for recommendations on solar panels and a charge controller, battery monitor and direction on coordinating all of those charging methods (solar, charging from the Sprinter charging system and potential shore-line use when needed). I've been reading everything I can on electrical systems and poring over the schematics posted on here, but I'm coming up with varying conclusions on how to proceed and what components to acquire, so throw some more ideas out there, if you would, please!
I can see how it would be advantageous to go with one brand of battery monitor/charge controller (Victron seems to be an especially designed/manufactured brand), but help me out with the advantages/disadvantages of buying a solar package (like the Renogy packages sold by Amazon) where one manufacturer provides the panels, charge controller and inverter. Are the controllers in those packages significantly less capable than other on the market? There's a lot of gear out there and it's a confusing and complex prospect to try to assemble a capable, flexible system.
Thanks in advance for your help and advice!
Pete
Reno, Nevada