Norcal Spotted and BS Thread

happy birthday to you too

 

Happy Birthday @Mademan925 and @Holloman!!!

 

PWM is best in terms of price for us folks. They're an amazing value when the solar systems are small and you're running single or double panels in parallel. Also fantastic when the solar cells are above 113 degrees fahrenheit.

MPPT begins to show its value at 10x times the cost when you have larger arrays configured in series (think 4+ panels) because it can boost the voltage to take advantage of long and, relatively, thin wire runs from panels to battery banks.

MPPT does have one really important advantage, it's being able to pull more power out of the panels when they're cold. So if you're camping a lot in the winter and the panels don't have a high surface temp (above 113 degrees fahrenheit) then this is where you'll want an MPPT in place.

Damn, wish I knew about that. I would've posted the one my friend took of my truck. lol

 

Am I safe in assuming you will still get some (enough..?) charge out of sub 113 degree solar cells? I'm not so much as worried about winter camping, since I'll be able to start my car on a somewhat regular occurrence, as I am just leaving it parked out front for a week or two at a time without starting.

 

It's just a question of efficiency. Maximum Power Point Tracking chargers have an automated voltage booster.

The voltage output of Solar Panels/Cells fluctuate depending on strength of the sun against the panels. This can be changed by angle, clouds, atmospheric issues etc. MPPT Controllers can boost or buck the voltage. Pulse Width Modulating controllers can only buck the voltage when it approaches the maximum.

If you want to compare PWM to an every day thing you encounter, think of a gas pump at the service station. You can hold it open to fill up the tank or pull the trigger successively to slow down so the gas doesn't flow out over your fuel inlet.

With MPPT, the size of the nozzle can be opened up to allow even more flow out at a higher volume depending on the changing conditions.

PWM gets the job done and is 10x cheaper.

While MPPT as a whole are more efficient, I've seen a lot of 1-star Amazon reviews talking about how their MPPTs didn't last and returning them was a hassle. The Victron boxes are a lot better in terms of quality, but they're not invincible either.

 

@Mademan925, @Holloman Happy birthday, gentlemen.

 

Lookup AntiShanty trailers. Looks like he was the OG concept.

 

Awesome info Stan, thanks! This is the kinda stuff I need.... solar for dumbasses tutorials!

https://youtu.be/kF_cVEYxj3E
Not the most in depth review but watched this video, one takeaway was that the Victons are good but the wiring clamp thingies are flimsy. Any thoughts? I need an MPPT controller for a 220 panel, still trying to find a good option that doesn't break the bank, but buy once cry once

 

The additional takeaways from the video worth noting.

• PWM can outperform MPPT in certain conditions
• MPPT is maybe 3% more efficient in a single panel configs in the real world
• Fast tracking MPPT in the victron doesn't really account for a whole lot in the course of an entire day, maybe like 10 watt-hours total?
• Using Lead Acid, get a model with a temp sensor
• Running lithium, you might need a fancy MPPT because most (if not all) pwm controllers don't have lithium specific features (exception for batteries that are direct swap meaning they have Battery Management Systems [BMS] that can convert 12v to 11.1v lithium)
• Run pigtails with Victron to a junction box or learn how to solder Surface Mount BS.

 

Happy Birthday @Mademan925 and @Holloman!

 

@Uphillshunter sorry broe. just saw your tag. I didn't see it till just now. Not sure i have a pic with a wreath? I think they have to be high res pics too. Most off mine are with cell. I got lucky felipe snapped that one last year. I need to snag more from the guys with legit cameras. I love this one

 

That's a good pic brotha. You should have submitted that one!

But you could always vote for one of these... to help a 1st gen local brotha out

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eneration-tacomas.637016/page-3#post-21986845

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eneration-tacomas.637016/page-3#post-21986816

 

Cough cough and other builds #shamelessplug

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...oyota-builds-non-tacoma.637020/#post-21965396

 

For sure! Matt's runner is worthy!

I think it would be cool for it to be the 2020 TW Calendar NorCal Edition

 

I'm not in the running for 2020, but I'm batting cleanup for 2019 to bring in the new year

 

Already did brothers.

 

Holy edit batman. I need to lay off the drugs

 

Anyone interested in this ol thing?


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/norcal-craigslist-finds.179318/page-1278#post-21998639

 

Good deal

 

Anyone has experience with front wheel hub assembly? It looks like pick inside the bearing is causing issues with ABS/traction. I found a guy on TW that sells pre-assembled hubs with koyo bearings. Has anyone used him?Not sure if rest of the assembly is OEM. Or should I buy the press and bearing from stealership?