Systems
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How to Find the Right Solar Battery
If you are looking to install a solar battery for your home, a few appliances, or a vehicle, you may be wondering what’s the best one to go for. There are many options on the market and a lot of them are very good with new technologies coming out every few years. Rather than staring…
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What Size Solar Panel to Charge 12V Battery
The solar panel size depends on factors like the battery capacity, battery type, desired charge time, and type of charge controller used. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss in detail the step-by-step process to calculate the ideal solar panel size to charge a 12V battery. We will also provide solar panel size recommendations for…
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Lead Acid Battery Voltage Charts
Battery voltage charts provide an easy way to estimate a battery’s state of charge. You can simply measure the voltage of the battery and use a voltage charge to estimate the current charging level of the battery. But remember that each type of lead acid battery will have a different voltage range and that voltage…
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Renogy vs Battle Born: Comparing Two Popular Battery Brands
When it comes to powering your off-grid adventures or ensuring your renewable energy system functions efficiently, there are two top names in solar energy storage: Renogy vs Battle Born. Renogy is known for its affordable prices. Battle Born is known for top-notch quality and long life. This article looks at how these two brands measure…
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How Long Will a 100Ah Battery Run a TV
A 100Ah battery’s ability to power a TV depends on the battery chemistry, the TV’s energy consumption, and losses through voltage conversion. The key is calculating the battery’s usable capacity and the TV’s hourly energy draw. In general, a 100Ah lithium battery can run an LED TV for 15-25 hours while a 100Ah lead acid…
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What Size Solar Panel to Charge 100Ah Battery?
Determining the right solar panel size to charge a 100Ah battery involves considering several key factors, including the battery voltage, battery’s capacity, battery type (lead-acid vs lithium-ion), how much you deplete the battery each day, the solar charge controller used, and the amount of sun your location receives. In this guide, we’ll cover all the…
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Should an RV Inverter Be Left on When Plugged In?
Generally, RV inverters should be turned off when not in use to avoid unnecessary battery drain. However, whether an RV inverter should be left on or off when plugged in depends on several factors, primarily the type of inverter and the manufacturer’s recommendations. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look in-depth at how RV inverters work,…
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Do Solar Power Banks Work?
Solar power banks are able to effectively collect, store, and deliver solar energy to charge electronics on the go. But do solar power banks work and truly live up to the promise of unlimited, eco-friendly power? While they do have limitations, solar power banks can be a versatile solution when you need portable renewable power.…
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Do AGM Batteries Need to Be Vented?
Yes, AGM batteries do need to be vented. Even though they produce relatively less hydrogen gas compared to conventional batteries, AGM batteries can still release hydrogen gas in certain overcharge conditions. Ventilation provides a safety release for these gases. This comprehensive guide will cover all you need to know about venting AGM batteries and hydrogen…
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Bonding Neutral and Ground at Main Panel
Bonding the neutral and ground wires in the main electrical service panel is necessary for safety and compliance with the National Electrical Code. This bonding serves critical functions like completing the fault current path and limiting the voltage difference between the neutral and ground wires. In this article, we’ll cover the purpose of neutral-ground bonds,…
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Micro Inverter vs String Inverter: Which Is Better for Your Solar System?
In the ever-evolving landscape of solar energy, choosing between micro inverter vs string inverter has become a pivotal decision for residential and commercial solar installations. Microinverters and string inverters are different technologies for converting the DC power generated by solar panels into usable AC power for your home. But which one is better for your…
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Sodium Ion vs Lithium Batteries
Sodium ion batteries (NIBs) vs lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are two of the most promising battery technologies for a wide range of applications. Sodium ion (Na ion) batteries are cheaper and more eco-friendly than lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. However, they don’t hold as much energy or last as long in charge cycles. They’re suitable for big…
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How to Check Inverter Is Charging Battery
You can check if your inverter is properly charging the battery using a few simple methods. Observing the inverter’s status lights, measuring battery voltage with a multimeter, and performing a load test are straightforward ways to confirm charging status. In this article, we will follow step-by-step instructions for checking whether your inverter is charging your…
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Lifepo4 Voltage Chart: Understanding Battery Capacity, Performance and Charging
A LiFePO4 battery voltage chart displays how the voltage is related to the battery’s state of charge. These charts vary depending on the size of the battery—whether it’s 3.2V, 12V, 24V, or 48V. This article will dive deep into interpreting these charts and their practical implications. We’ll also cover the features and workings of LiFePO4…
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What Happens to Solar Power When Batteries Are Full?
When solar batteries are full, what happens is that the excess solar power will either be diverted elsewhere for usage or wasted, depending on whether your system is grid-tied or off-grid. Grid-tied systems can send extra solar power back to the electric grid, while off-grid systems may need to dump excess solar energy unless there…
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How to Reset Inverter Overload
When your inverter is overloaded, it can lead to an unmistakable and often annoying beeping sound. It involves steps to reset inverter overload to ensure the device returns to normal operation and avoids potential damage. Depending on the inverter model, this can involve using a reset button or manually power cycling the device. This guide…
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NiCd vs NiMH for Solar Lights
Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH batteries) are generally the better choice over Nickel Cadmium batteries (NiCd batteries) for most solar light applications today. NiMH offers a higher capacity to store more energy from the sun, lasts longer through more recharge cycles, and is more eco-friendly. However, NiCd can be a good lower-cost option if needed.…
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How to Crimp MC4 Connectors
MC4 connectors are crimped using a specialized MC4 crimping tool to attach male and female pins to solar cables, which are then inserted into the connector housings and tightened for a secure connection. This comprehensive guide provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on properly crimping male and female MC4 connectors for solar applications. Let’s get started! Step…
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Lithium vs Alkaline Batteries for Solar: A Detailed Comparison
Lithium and alkaline batteries store and provide power for solar lights, gardens, outdoor solar lighting, and off-grid solar systems. However, they have very different compositions and characteristics, making each better suited for certain uses. In this article, we will compare alkaline and lithium batteries in-depth, looking at aspects like construction, voltage, capacity, performance, cost, and…
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What Car Battery Voltage Is Too Low
The optimal voltage range for most car batteries used in RVs and motor homes is 12.4-12.7 volts. Yet, these vehicles often face challenges maintaining this voltage and preventing low voltage in the car battery, especially when parked for extended periods. Using trickle chargers and solar charge maintainers is essential for RVs and motorhomes that sit…
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Why Is My Inverter Beeping
The beeping is a way for the inverter to alert you to a problem that needs attention, whether a pure sine wave or a modified sine wave inverter. It can be due to a low battery, an overload condition, a loose connection, or other issues. This guide will discuss the six most common triggers of…
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How to Get 12 Volts from a 24 Volt System
Getting 12 volts from a 24-volt system with multiple batteries is possible through several methods. You can use simple approaches that involve tapping into just one battery in a series bank or using resistors to create a voltage divider. Still, these methods are inefficient and can reduce your battery life. For clean, efficient voltage conversion…
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What Will 100 Watt Solar Panel Run
A 100 watt solar panel can provide power for various small electronic devices and appliances to run but is limited in capacity for larger loads. In this article, we will provide an overview of the power output and capabilities of a standard 100-watt solar panel, including how much energy it can produce per day, what…
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How to Ground an Inverter in an RV
You can ground an RV inverter using the appropriate gauge wire by securely attaching it to the RV chassis. This connection to the RV frame acts as a protective measure against stray currents, ensuring safety and optimal electrical performance. In this article, we will guide you through the details of this process, ensuring your inverter…
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Solar Charge Controller Settings 101: All You Need to Know
To optimize the performance of your solar power system and safeguard the battery bank, it’s crucial to configure the charge controller with the correct settings. While the specific steps vary across different controllers, understanding the fundamental parameters is the key to optimizing any solar charge controller. This article reviews the core concepts you need to…
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What Size Breaker for a Refrigerator
You can easily calculate the circuit breaker size needed for a standard refrigerator by reading the rated current value from the nameplate of your refrigerator and doing some basic calculations to arrive at the size of the breaker. In this guide, we’ll show how you can easily select the correct circuit breaker size for refrigerators…
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How to Test a Solar Panel Without a Multimeter
You can easily test the performance of a solar panel even without a multimeter. It requires a certain level of technical understanding, and the process must be approached carefully to avoid accidental damage or personal injury. But, with the right guide, you will find that it’s not as daunting as it initially appears. In this…
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How to Wire Inverter To RV Breaker Box
Knowing how to wire an inverter to an RV breaker box allows for efficient electrical power utilization when camping or traveling in an RV. Wiring a power inverter to your RV’s breaker box involves creating a connection between your battery bank, inverter, and RV’s breaker panel, often using changeover switches. These switches enable seamless transition…
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How to Reset Renogy Charge Controller?
Resetting your Renogy charge controller can involve either a soft or hard reset. While a soft reset is good enough for minor operational issues, more significant problems require a complete hard or factory reset. In this article, we’ll provide step-by-step guides on performing both resets to keep your solar system operating at peak performance. We…
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Battery Charge Time Calculator
Battery charge time is simply how long it would take for a battery to be fully charged after getting fully discharged. When not fully discharged, battery charge time is the time it will take a rechargeable battery to get a full charge from its current state of charge. How to Use Our Battery Charge Time…
