Monday, Jul 30, 2012 at 15:31
Hello,
Just reading your questions and answers.
Upgrading to 3 or 4 batteries is not as easy as adding more batteries and cables,
Firstly the Batteries Must all be the same age, model, make and usage, The cabling must be all a minimum of 50mm2, the connections from the battery to the chargers and load must be crossed linked between all batteries.
The charger must be capable of charging the batteries from 50% SOC or DOD to full in a minimum of 12 hours, there for the capacity of the battery charger must be 10% minimum of the full capacity of the battery bank that it is trying to charge, regardless of Solar,
There for 400 amp hours of batteries and the charger must be a minimum of 40 amps. If your
free camping and running of a generator, i would go up to a 60 amp charger.
There is a rule of thumb, never parallel more that 3 batteries, as the chances of dropping a cell in a battery increases.
You can achieve the same amount of amp hours using 6v batteries in a series parallel system, charging and usage on a typical battery bank using this will have a far less chance of having issues with the battery system failing. IF you had 4 batteries in parallel The chances of failure is high, when it does fail the system will then have to be completely replaced.
The best way to achieve better battery storage is knowing when the batteries are 100%, 75%, 50%, ETC A good quality battery monitor will give you enough info to the guide you with your usage and charging status.
12.8 static voltage is fully charged, 12.5 static voltage is 50% 12.1 static voltage is flat. It is also recommended to only ever drain your batteries to 50%.
Question, Trivia
If you have a portable generator, you plug it into your caravan, motor
home or Camper, do you have the same level of protection, from the safety switch as if you where plugged into mains power?? to protect you from electrocution.
Logix
AnswerID:
491934
Follow Up By: Member - Arsenal Phill - Monday, Jul 30, 2012 at 17:35
Monday, Jul 30, 2012 at 17:35
Hi Logix
Funny enough the technician doing our service mentioned 6v batteries as an alternative. He said he wasn't up on it, but would check with their electrical guy.
I am sure we have a battery monitor but can't confirm off the top of my head. Need to look in the van.
From your advice, can I take it that you can't add a 160AH to x2 100AH batteries?
FollowupID:
767549
Follow Up By: olcoolone - Monday, Jul 30, 2012 at 20:56
Monday, Jul 30, 2012 at 20:56
"If you have a portable generator, you plug it into your caravan, motor
home or Camper, do you have the same level of protection, from the safety switch as if you where plugged into mains power?? to protect you from electrocution."
Only if it has Multiple earth neutral (MEN) link..... it the only real way to get a RCD to work on a generator.
FollowupID:
767565
Follow Up By: Logix- Tuesday, Jul 31, 2012 at 19:49
Tuesday, Jul 31, 2012 at 19:49
Arsenal Phill,
I would personally persist with the batteries you have, understand the time you have before it reaches 12.4 volts and when they need replacing plan, enquire and speak to many people that specialise in Batteries and Solar, no back yarders or doddgie experts.
I was involved in a design of a battery system using 2 x AGM 6 volt batteries, achieving 400 amp hours. 400 watts of Solar ( Achieving 42 amps in full sun at 50% SOC ) 60 amp charger and 50 amp DC to DC Charger.
Customer is stoked and the system on average NSW sunlight does not have to plug in between 5 days of
free camping.
Olcoolone,
Great response and yes your correct, How many people would be under the impression that plugging in a generator to there motorhome/RV or caravan they are protected.
Logix
FollowupID:
767644