battery choice

[Weight]

Just a note; batteries contain a large amount of energy if shorted positive to negative. please be careful and wear eye protection.

 

[highdesertranger]

here's a simple diagram for wiring 6v batteries for 12v,



if you only have 2 batteries just leave the 2 on the right off.  highdesertranger

 

[jonsun]

Oh yeah were rock n rollin now. I even got proper gauges and fuses on it all

 

[akrvbob]

So hook up one positive to one negative on the batteries and then I will have the 12 volts. I get it. And do the same with the 2 100 watt panel. One positive to one negative ? Correct? 

Is there a reason you want to put your panels in series. There are times when you want to, but it isn't the norm. Usually parallel is better--but not always.

 

[Maggie Flinn]

Is there a reason you want to put your panels in series. There are times when you want to, but it isn't the norm. Usually parallel is better--but not always.

I just saw Jamie do a 200 watt install on a van similar to mine where they just hooked them up that way. Instead of using an adapter they just put the pos to neg. I just assumed if I have 2 renogy 100 watt panels that that is the way to do it.


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[Maggie Flinn]

In fact Terry, the guy that helped do Debra's solenoid install you filmed was the guy that hooked them up that way. He looks like a pro.


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[Weight]

There is a lot involved with deciding to have parallel or series solar panels. With lower volt panels such as Renogy, and only two panels, it would be much better to have parallel panel connections.

 

[John61CT]

True for sure with PWM, parallel only.

But series getting voltage up to 36+ can help a good MPPT SC extract an extra 10-20% in the right conditions.

If unsure try A/B and measure the different outputs at the batt.

Also high V is good for distant remote panels to keep wire weight reasonable.

Just have to ensure no shading.

 

[Maggie Flinn]

Time to upgrade battery bank. 

Is it worth paying $60 for the duracell ultra? They're 4lbs heavier a piece. 235AH

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc125

vs

The standard 215AH

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc110

Are these considered gel, sealed or flooded?


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[UptownSport]

Is there a reason you want to put your panels in series

She was probably just reading stuff on the internet

I’ll also talk about connecting your panels in series instead of parallel [img=1x1]http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=cheaprvliving-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000A3I3GA[/img]to reduce the voltage drop over a distance.

 

[John61CT]

Flooded, you can see the cell opening covers in the pic.

Good quality GEL or AGM are **much** more expensive per AH.

Not as robust, much fussier about charging requirements and generally don't last as long, all else being equal.

Plus you can can check specific gravity with a cheap hydrometer for adjusting your charge sources, less need for an expensive SoC battery monitor.

 

[Maggie Flinn]

Flooded, you can see the cell opening covers in the pic.

Good quality GEL or AGM are **much** more expensive per AH.

Not as robust, much fussier about charging requirements and generally don't last as long, all else being equal.

Plus you can can check specific gravity with a cheap hydrometer for adjusting your charge sources, less need for an expensive SoC battery monitor.

I just needed to know for the charge controller. Thank you.


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[jonsun]

Are these considered gel, sealed or flooded?


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flooded

 

[Weight]

It is always better to get the best of any brand. My choice would be the 230 ah, and now they offer 250 ah Duracell flooded GC2.

 

[Maggie Flinn]

It is always better to get the best of any brand. My choice would be the 230 ah, and now they offer 250 ah Duracell flooded GC2.

What is the reason to buy 2 6 volts and hook them up in series instead of a 12 volt?


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[John61CT]

Because good quality inexpensive true deep cycling are readily available in 6V in some limited consumer channels.

99.99% of 12V batts in big box retail are only labelled as "deep cycling", fraudulently so.

And from those few vendors that can be trusted, their 12V units are often not as robust and are more expensive per AH than the Duracell 6V FLA

 

[jonsun]

charging swells plates, causing them to slowly break down.

the plates in a 6v are much larger (but half as many).