Starter kit problems

This is helpful, thanks. Can you recommend a batter to add to this one?

Also, you mention loss through cables. If I have a lot of excess cable, should I cut them shorter to reduce the drag? I know it seems obvious, but is that just good practice?

kjw

My rule is the never use an inverter unless an engine is spinning providing the power so the battery is not abused.
The exception would be a large battery bank for inverter use with enough recharge capability ASAP.

First, inverters are a CONSTANT draw on a battery unless they are turned OFF.
Second they are inefficient.

The timer should be on the inverter!!! One needs to know the specs of the inverter.

Using a 12v light bulb avoids this but for grins lets consider a 29w bulb, @ 12v that is 2.42 amp, call it 2.5 A
6 hrs 2.5A is 15 amp hrs, that is about all a 100 watt panel will make in the winter and who knows how much the inverter is using to invert and how much it uses sitting there ON. Rid yourself of the inverter if possible.

When one puts a load on the battery the voltage goes down, bigger loads reduces batt voltage more. When you added the 125w or 10+ A @ 12v load to the small battery the inverter is gonna laugh and alarm from the big constant load.

How much sun do ya have where you are this time of year based on panel angle?
www.solarelectricityhandbook.com/solar-irradiance.html

That will tell you have much solar power you can expect to make.

How much crap (power) to you plan to operate?

Lets sya ya can make 15ah a day and want to use more than that = battery = toast.
What if you used 10 ah a day and could make 15? Ahead of the game, now ya size the battery for a couple of days of poor sun and maybe able to get the battery FULL on a regular basis.

Powering your crap might be of interest to you but I would want to take care of the battery so it lasts years and that means it gets to FULL regularly.