Got this Q via PM, told them I prefer to answer publicly:
> I am considering expanding my battery bank of 2x6v GC2 by adding 2 more of the same battery. The ones I am using have been in use for 28 days and are in great condition. I have 360 watts of solar and plenty of room in the current setup for placement. Would this be foolish? I have searched several battery sites online and most say if batteries are within 6 months of age is okay.... My current set is 8/17
Yes that close together in age should be no problem.
Even less matched causes no harm, just that the declining State of Health over time of the bank as a whole will be determined by the "weakest link".
Make sure you know the correct wiring sequence, and I reckin put the new pair on the "inside", wire your bank wires to the older pair, one on each end.
> I am worried that 100 or so ah of battery power is not going to be enough for the cooler, fan, and led lights in tepid or warm weather. I have also looked into buying a genny but not sure if that would be ideal.
Do you mean a compressor fridge?
Battery bank AH capacity is not so relevant to the question, it is charge sources.
A little genny gives a ** lot of flexibility, with two pairs of GCs you should have 400AH, so a 60-80A charger capable of being de-rated, powered by a nice quiet "suitcase" inverter genny like Honda's eu1000i.
You'll still need solar for getting the bank to 100% Full for longevity.
If you haven't max'd out your roof area yet, you may not need a genny.
> I am considering expanding my battery bank of 2x6v GC2 by adding 2 more of the same battery. The ones I am using have been in use for 28 days and are in great condition. I have 360 watts of solar and plenty of room in the current setup for placement. Would this be foolish? I have searched several battery sites online and most say if batteries are within 6 months of age is okay.... My current set is 8/17
Yes that close together in age should be no problem.
Even less matched causes no harm, just that the declining State of Health over time of the bank as a whole will be determined by the "weakest link".
Make sure you know the correct wiring sequence, and I reckin put the new pair on the "inside", wire your bank wires to the older pair, one on each end.
> I am worried that 100 or so ah of battery power is not going to be enough for the cooler, fan, and led lights in tepid or warm weather. I have also looked into buying a genny but not sure if that would be ideal.
Do you mean a compressor fridge?
Battery bank AH capacity is not so relevant to the question, it is charge sources.
A little genny gives a ** lot of flexibility, with two pairs of GCs you should have 400AH, so a 60-80A charger capable of being de-rated, powered by a nice quiet "suitcase" inverter genny like Honda's eu1000i.
You'll still need solar for getting the bank to 100% Full for longevity.
If you haven't max'd out your roof area yet, you may not need a genny.
