Hey everyone! I'm planning to set up a simple solar system in a small cabin (about 20 square meters) in southern Sweden. I want a stationary installation that can charge my laptop, phone, and the occasional battery for power tools. My budget is around 500-600 EUR, but I haven't purchased the cabin yet, so I might have some additional needs I'm not aware of.
I already have a PV Enterprises 110W panel (with a maximum output of 17.45 V and 6.45 Amps). I've heard good things about Victron products. Here's what I'm considering:
- **Controller:** Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 (around 90 EUR)
- **Battery:** Victron AGM Deep Cycle 90Ah (about 300 EUR)
I'm looking for advice on how to efficiently get the power out to USB-C PD or standard 230 Volts. Any thoughts? Cheers!
1 Answer
Most people really like Victron products, but the AGM batteries can be pricey and not the best choice. Is there a reason you're choosing AGM over LiFePO4? I assume it might be due to cold weather conditions? Just a heads up, Victron recommends that your solar panel voltage should be at least 5V above the battery's charge voltage to work properly. But it seems like your panel should be fine as long as the open circuit voltage is higher than the battery voltage plus 5V.
Thanks for the info! I found that a 50Ah LiFePO4 battery costs about 6590 SEK, which feels expensive compared to the AGM, especially since I'm not sure how much I'll use the cabin long-term. But if I can find a decent Li-battery for less, I'm open to it. Regarding the panel, I heard it’s only 17 volts. Is it too low to charge a 12V battery? Any tips on using it?