off topic: solar input

[slauder]

I have a Hearth Freedom 20 Inverter/Charger. Anyone wire in a 55 watt panel? I think I should be able to wire in on the DC input like the batteries. Do I need to worry about over floating my batteries? I bet this project is not quite as simple as I first thought.

 

[makomark]

What are you trying to accomplish, a supplementary "free" charging scheme?

 

[slauder]

yes. i spend a lot of time in summer on the hook. I was hoping to keep the generator off more. looks like these work well, not not sure how to tie into the system.
re: http://www.aurinco.com/bw20_us.html

 

[willow]

The set ups I have seen up here all have a separate regulator. The entire system is divorced from any genset or AC charging system. The cost of s regulator is not that much and once you have that, the system setup is very simple.

 

[makomark]

Like Don said, this is separate from any other existing inverter/charger so that doesn't factor in.

The "good " setups have a regulator, I've seen a couple put in w/o any regulator and it can destroy a battery bank in a short time given a sunny summer.

Only concern I'd have is to make sure the regulator is compatible with the battery chemistry you wanna connect it to. Gel cells, in particular, are charge voltage sensitive.

The other key to making it work is to select a solar source with enough AH capacity to replenish the energy you'll consume...maybe the industry has standardized a rating procedure but I'd not hold my breadth.