Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 02:47
hmmmm... to answer that I surely would need more text than I can fit in a reply here ...
I can give you a few arguments what my "Best" solution would not be
1. Charging your batteries from an alternator via a voltage sensing relay
2. Isolating a battery with a diode
3. Charging a battery via a wire of the trailer plug
4. Using batteries which require maintenance (standard wet cells)
5. Charging from solar panels with no or basic/cheap regulator
6. Using insufficient wire thickness
7. Switching batteries in parallel for charging.
8. Not isolating batteries when not in use
9. Not keeping batteries on float when not in use
10. Using components not capable of working in at least 40degrees heat
11. Not temperature compensating during charge
12. Not organise batteries in banks for load management
13. Mixing batteries (age and type) in banks
14. Charging batteries with a fixed voltage charger (see 1)
15. Packing batteries too tight without air flow
16. Not using suitable low discharge disconnects
17. Not using voltage boosters where required
I could go on ...
The "Best" system for me is the one which meets the requirements of the user in the best possible way, within the given parameters of budget, space and weight minimising manual control, being load and charge balanced and avoid as many of above points as possible.
Load balanced means that most if not all of the continuous demand is fulfilled without storage need and only peak demand requires storage.
Charge balanced means that the amperage available for charge is actually absorbed as charge current and not burnt as heat because the battery capacity cannot take it.
A standard wet cell cannot take 40Amps charge current so it does not make sense to have 400W solar panels unless you use the extra energy coming from the panels for something else.
Another criteria for my definition of charge balanced is that I require the lost charge in the batteries at any point in time to be replaced within 6 hours during the day (including solar, wind, vehicle alternator or generator).
The "Best" system gives me continuous use of power (preferably from renewable energy - there are exceptions) without the need for
grid connection. It is not a matter of size or amount of power delivered it is a matter of how good my demand is fulfilled. Some have low and some have high demand. My own system is designed for a very high demand.
have fun
gmd
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