Battery problems, solar panel problems, controller issues oh my

[qrper]

This started simple in 2025. Two of my US Battery L16 clones went belly up. I'm trying to cook'em and see if I can't get them to come back to the living. So far, no joy.

Then, I noticed that the incoming solar current was way off. Normally on a cold January day under a bright blue sky, I'd max out the classic at 83A. Today, nice blue skies, 4ºF and I see 27A. Something wrong here! It's too damn cold to check connections, and i suspect a few panels may have failed. These were used from SanTan and today when I went out to check them, on the bottom buss bars they're covered with green stuff. So apparently water has made it inside the panels.

I've learned enough about used panels so I'm not going to do that again. I have been daydreaming of some new 550W panels. Ten of those would max out the Hawk's Bay.

If I were to order more panels, say a 12, I was thinking of putting those extra 2 back onto the classic 150 across the same battery—that would be an extra 1100W for basically zero cost except for the panels. It's just a cheap to truck 12 as it is 10 panels.

My question would be if I did that would I release the Kracken? Demons would raise from the basement? Or would the Classic and Hawk's Bay play nicely together?

As for the batteries, I guess I'm going to have to drink the Koolaid and go with lithium this time around. A lot of small issues need to be address however. Like the garage where the batteries live in is about 7ºF this afternoon.

I've been sitting in the greenhouse today, enjoying the aroma of the green plants and dreaming of solar.

Mike

[ClassicCrazy]

I have a Classic and a Hawkes Bay both charging the same batteries. It works fine. You may have to tweak the settings a bit in the Classic . But no problem .  They aren't linked together , just two independent controllers charging.
Larry

[aaapilot]

I'll second what Larry said.  Also run a Classic 200 & HB to charge the same battery bank, works great.

Dave

[qrper]

I'll second what Larry said.  Also run a Classic 200 & HB to charge the same battery bank, works great.

Dave

Thanks, I kinda figured they might work together but wasn't sure.

Right now, looking for new solar panels. I'm not going to drive down the same road and get used panels again.

mike

[ClassicCrazy]

I'll second what Larry said.  Also run a Classic 200 & HB to charge the same battery bank, works great.

Dave

Thanks, I kinda figured they might work together but wasn't sure.

Right now, looking for new solar panels. I'm not going to drive down the same road and get used panels again.

mike

If you are putting the panels on a ground mount , look for bifacial. They really do pretty good in the winter with snow reflecting light on the back of them. I got some this past summer for around 23 cents a watt and $200 flat rate shipping for a pallet. Sometimes signature solar has some good deals - or at least they did last summer.
Larry

[qrper]

I'll second what Larry said.  Also run a Classic 200 & HB to charge the same battery bank, works great.

Dave

Thanks, I kinda figured they might work together but wasn't sure.

Right now, looking for new solar panels. I'm not going to drive down the same road and get used panels again.

mike

If you are putting the panels on a ground mount , look for bifacial. They really do pretty good in the winter with snow reflecting light on the back of them. I got some this past summer for around 23 cents a watt and $200 flat rate shipping for a pallet. Sometimes signature solar has some good deals - or at least they did last summer.
Larry

I've been thinking that might be the way to go. However, that being said, here is a large barn right up against the solar panels, and even with a good Ohio snow storm, very little snow gets under the panels. There isn't much of a price difference between the two, and my thinking is why not use the bifical panels.

[qrper]

I'll second what Larry said.  Also run a Classic 200 & HB to charge the same battery bank, works great.

Dave

Thanks, I kinda figured they might work together but wasn't sure.

Right now, looking for new solar panels. I'm not going to drive down the same road and get used panels again.

mike

If you are putting the panels on a ground mount , look for bifacial. They really do pretty good in the winter with snow reflecting light on the back of them. I got some this past summer for around 23 cents a watt and $200 flat rate shipping for a pallet. Sometimes signature solar has some good deals - or at least they did last summer.
Larry

I've been thinking that might be the way to go. However, that being said, here is a large barn right up against the solar panels, and even with a good Ohio snow storm, very little snow gets under the panels. There isn't much of a price difference between the two, and my thinking is why not use the bifical panels.

The attached photo is the battery/off grid solar array. About 7.5kWp

[ClassicCrazy]

Just paint the end of the barn white and you will get plenty of reflection.
Larry