Size breaker for 400w inverter?

[abnorm]

Diagram is unreadable...........................

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

I see my sketch is pretty blurry but the batteries are now sitting on end and terminals are facing each other to put all the + together and all the negs together. If u have a pic of a better arrangement, please share. I just don't want to cut all new cables for them until I'm sure what I'm doing. Thanks everyone

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

Ok I'll work on that sketch

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1u80kv1dqn3xdse/img_20210613_170721499~2.jpg?dl=0

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

I saw that some of the meters given to me are not for 12v system. I was going to look them up to see if I'd programmable somehow to change that but I think maybe not

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

Sorry I'm not great at freehand and it's been 20 years since I've done any CAD even if I did have a CAD program for my phone

 

[highdesertranger]

Kristal have you purchased all that stuff already?

Highdesertranger

 

[wayne49]

Kristal,

Glad the screenshot method was helpful.

Just a suggestion, you might want to change the image file names, from screenshot* and img*, to something descriptive about each image.

Helpful for those who wish to address a specific issue.

Circuit-diagram*

Board-layout*

Inverter*

-Wayne

 

[bullfrog]

So you have a single 250 watt solar panel with 2-30 amp fuses in the circuit controlled by a _?_(30 amp?) PWM controller that the battery output goes to a positive and a negative bus bar, connected to the bus bar are the 5- 12volt ___?__(23 amp/hour?) __?____(lithium) batteries connected in parallel.
You have a DC to DC charger connected to the bus bars (I assume it is set up for the lithium batteries?) You have a 300 watt inverter connected to the bus bars that currently has a 40 amp breaker. You have the breaker box connected to the bus bars and all 12volt accessories connected to the breaker box. You have a bunch of meters? (volt?) that you could use to monitor the system. Your PWM controller appears to have a monitor screen which may supply all the information you need. It would help to know the make and model of the PWM Your lithium batteries may also have a Battery Management System (BMS) built in with a high voltage/low voltage cut off. It would help to know the make and model or specs of them. If any of my interpretation of the above is wrong let us know. Having everything mounted close is a good idea. They make a fireproof bag for lithium batteries you might want to consider I believe if those are in fact lithium. You have the makings of a good system but battery capacity may be a concern in my opinion, but again in my limited knowledge as well.

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

I will change the picture names, sorry. Of course that will be better. Yes, some of the stuff I bought after selling all my stuff and some was donated, gifted or I had from our camping trailer before I left my husband. Some of it is not new as shown, but I looked it up and used the pics off Amazon with specs.

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/c3k5bmg2xbmvopv/generator.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/20yonw06i0c28oj/300winverter.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qgxp17zmd3vh4fw/bougervpwm30acontroller.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jmab9jjw6chqmx8/lifepo416ah12vbattery.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/m7k87ryc3x66qal/simplebattermeter.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mkc6ndi7accks23/shuntedmeter.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zszzaloaghl3lpb/onoffswitch.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/npzfxmij7d0pgbe/minibatterymeters.png?dl=0

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

Ok so I renamed but I can't see the new name past all the crap in front... Sorry

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

Bullfrog, yes I think that pretty much summed it up. They are lifepo4 16ah 12v batteries. They are only $50 and I been buying one a month with my little check. When I figured the ah per dollar amount, they still looked good so I went with it. I know it would be better to just have a couple 100ah batteries but this is the best I could do.

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

I've pretty much run out of money now but I will try to get the fireproof bags for the batteries and I still have enough of the good pure copper 8awg wire to make the new cables. I won't be hooking up the dc-dc charger because I'm terrified of it but I have the fuses and wire for it and maybe someday I'll find someone who can help me with it. I have to begin my trip on Friday because I can't stay at my daughter's anymore. I'm panicking a little but but I been staying in the van and I'm pretty comfortable, even in this killer heat

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

Do y'all think I'll have enough to run this fridge?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i8bnxawvsvl23o5/kuppetfridge.png?dl=0

If I stay in the sun lol? One of my friends says "all that for a fridge?" But I've had many stomach surgeries, I eat mostly fresh foods and I can can only eat small amounts about every 2 hours. For me a fridge is nessessity and also a part of feeling like it's my "home". It was WAY more than I thought it would be buy I feel like I'm almost there. Do y'all think My battery arrangement might work now? So funny, my ex is an electrician. But I have u guys! Thanks

 

[bullfrog]

First lets talk about your batteries. They have a BMS with a low voltage cut off. The small print says it is possible that sitting for long periods of time can cause them to discharge below that. First thing I would do is check the voltages of each battery. All the batteries need to be close to each other in their state of charge before you connect them in parallel. I seem to remember the manufacturer sells a charger that can remedy being below the low cut off voltage, but if they are over 12.5 volts the solar panel with the PWN controller set up right should charge them. I would charge them one at a time and watch the voltage till they all read the same before connecting them in parallel to make your battery bank. They are rated at 16Ah and it looks like you have 5. They will turn themselves off if you run them down too far shutting off the refrigerator probably in the middle of the night, not good. If traveling (driving) and not hooking up the DC to DC charger I would use my vehicle to run the refrigerator and let the solar fully charge the lithium batteries. I would not hook up or use any other loads especially if you will be in hot temps and would insulate the refrigerator as much as possible. You might be able to freeze containers of water while driving and keep your food in a cooler over night if you encounter low voltage shutdowns. I believe you are very close to the minimum of what you will need but again there are a lot of variables like temps, the number of times you open the frig, how warm the items are when you put them in and how well the solar can replace the charge daily. I think Bob's chart recommended a 200 Ah battery bank but that was before lithium batteries were common. If your solar fully charges your batteries daily and your frig is cold and well insulated in the evening it may well work in my opinion. Daytime with the panels in full sun set on refrigerator temps the panel should pretty well run it.

 

[ldsreliance]

You don't need a fireproof bag if the batteries are LiFePO4. They will not explode, catch fire, or anything like that. You can puncture them, short circuit them, or get them too hot and they will not enter thermal runaway. Now, if they were Lithium Cobalt Oxide, Lithium Manganese Oxide, or Lithium Polymer then that would be a different story.

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

Ok, well that gives me hope, yay. I will be adding to the battery to my bank every month, that is if I can find a way to get them sent to me. I will do as you suggested and I don't drink milk or eat a lot of meat so I think most of the time I could handle the cooler shutting off for a bit at night. I may have to throw away a few leftovers once in a while but veggies will keep. I might struggle with it a few more months but eventually I won't have to... Here's hoping. I will test the batteries. Can I charge each one up with a small 20w solar panel just straight to it? With one of the little meters on it?

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

Wow I can't seem to make even one post without a typo in it. I get so excited just to have anyone to talk to about all this, I forget to go up and check my typing lol and yay! No battery bags

 

[bullfrog]

I think I would go ahead and hook up the lowest voltage battery to the PWM controller and see if it is set up for your batteries. You may need to change settings or research to see if there are online instructions. Once that is done hook up the 250 watt solar panel and see if it charges the battery to the same voltage as your highest reading battery. Disconnect the solar panel when it does and disconnect that battery and do the next lowest one until they all are at the same voltage. Then with the solar panel unplugged and the batteries all at the same voltage connect them all in parallel to the bus bars and reconnect the solar panel. Fully charge the batteries. Plug in your refrigerator and see how long it takes for the voltage to drop down to 12 volts.