Solar powered shed setup UK - MPPT Upgrade

Pictures followed by video tour. (tour starts at 0.50)

This is an update to the solar shed. The main upgrades are an MPPT controller that should be giving me a 10-30% increase in efficiency and a wattsup style meter so that I can view system output in realtime.

Also added a 2nd spare car battery in parallel temporarily as it was just sat in the garage not doing anything.

On a very cloudy day the system now makes 10-15w, and in the two days that I fitted the upgrade peaked at about 85w when the sun came out. On a clear day it should make the full 100w the system is capable of with ease now.

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[busterhound333333]

I have apparently missed something.Whats the point of wasting money on a expensive solar power system in a shed?..I could just about use a flashlight for all of my electrical needs in the shed.

[hippyraverocker]

@busterhound333333

Well the main point is to be able to run lighting, drills, mowers, small propagators and other random items like radios for when out and about in the garden without having to resort to a mains source. Yes it's more expensive than just using an extension lead but it was mainly done for a bit of fun and to get into diy home generated power :)

[busterhound333333]

@hippyraverocker ..ic..i have been interested in trying to make my camper self efficient.I was just wondering which would be a better way to accomplish this.The solar panels or the little wind turbine's...Thanks for sharing.

[hippyraverocker]

@busterhound333333

This mainly depends on the space you have to play with, personally I would say solar is easiest to install and work with but if you can setup a small turbine that is portable you will likely see better output from it depending where you are camping and how you have set it up.

[1981dasimpson]

you might also find it best to set the panel up for best winter production in summer you will get more then what would be recived in winter anyway

[hippyraverocker]

@1981dasimpson

The panel is set to give the best results all year, so it is a compromise in some months but overall the average power output is the best it can be without some form of tracking system.

Also the larger battery does charge, once the small one is full it effectively overflows into the bigger one, have been monitoring voltages and the hydrometer to confirm this.

As for DC not travelling far well I know this, but it's impractical to have any less DC side length without major chang

[rmfungaro]

Hi! you had some improvement after replacing the solar controller? I see some comments that MPPT cheap not work very well. I wait for new videos!

[blumaxx1]

GOOD SETUP,,!!,,GREAT WORK,,!!

[busterhound333333]

@hippyraverocker ..All input i can get is greatly appreciated..Thanks for sharing.