Size breaker for 400w inverter?

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

Ok I'll let u know how it works out

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

So the answer to the previous question as to what I will be running off my inverter... Is NOTHING for a while until I get more batteries. I have a couple more questions tho.
If I need to keep the battery cables as short as possible and as equally lengthened as possibly, what is better? Exactly Equal length cables even tho they are not optimal size to fit the board? Or lengths that are within a few inches of each other but fit the board perfectly?
And, is it possible to connect bigger batteries to battery bank? Like the same make and type but adding a 32ah to my already existing 5x 16ah batteries? Or better to just keep buying the same 16ah to add to my bank? They are the lifepo4 lithium..

 

[ldsreliance]

If you rotate the batteries in the bank once a year or so you should be fine with slightly uneven lengths of wires.  The bigger problem is you having so many batteries in the bank.  Most lithium batteries cannot be used in battery banks larger than 4 series or 4 parallel.  You already have 5 and you are asking about more.

The short answer to your question is that you can add batteries of other sizes but you will overtax the smaller batteries badly and they will fail prematurely.

 

[bullfrog]

I have just tended to use smaller multiple systems. I started out with Ryobi tool batteries, a vehicle charger, a 100 ah AGM house battery and a 100 watt suitcase solar so I am used to rotating batteries and dealing with multiple systems. I like it because it gives me options should one have problems. Batteries last longer in my opinion when they are closely matched and lightly used, actually the lithium batteries will do better if they are only fully charged and balanced by the BMS every once and a while. Some argue individually charging them to slightly less than full charge will lengthen the life of the battery. Ideally your battery bank needs to be made up of identical batteries at the same number of charge cycles and condition so they will work as one big battery. If you can get by running the refrigerator with this system then I would save your monthly money till you can afford to purchase a single 200ah or 2-100ah lithium batteries, but again it is a mater of personal circumstances and choices.

 

[ldsreliance]

 If you can get by running the refrigerator with this system then I would save your monthly money till you can afford to purchase a single 200ah or 2-100ah lithium batteries, but again it is a mater of personal circumstances and choices.

I second this!  Use the smaller batteries you already have as "learner" batteries to explore what they can do and get started living off grid, but refrain from spending any more money on anything less than 12V 100Ah.  Yes, they are a significant investment.  But you really can't live the kind of lifestyle you want to live by cobbling together underpowered and ill-fitting pieces for the job.  I can say that because I have tried it myself and failed.

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

Ok thanks, I'll do that. Dang I wish I had known that sooner. I've watch a 150 videos lol and never heard the 4 battery bank rule. Ok so live and learn. Lithium has gotten cheaper even since I started this 5 months ago. Hopefully they will go down in price even more. I wish I had at least bought the 32 ah now. I could have run my fridge off 3 or 4 of those

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

If I had more time I would return 2 and sell the others. I'm still within my return window for that but.... Time is not on my side this time. If I return 2 I couldn't run my fridge at all

 

[ldsreliance]

Can you return two and buy one larger battery with that money?  I seem to remember you saying you were paying about $100 a piece for them.  If that is the case, I could sell you a 42Ah for around that same price:  https://store.ldsreliance.com/colle...-lithium-iron-phosphate-lifepo4-smart-battery

That 42A could run your fridge by itself, probably, and give you time until you can afford to start buying 100Ah batteries.

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

They were only $59 each so only $120

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

I'm just going to hook them all up this time and run with it. I'll save up for better ones. If I ruin these, I'm not out that much. Surely they will last a little while. I have a one carat solitary diamond wedding ring I still need to sell. I can buy a pretty good pair of batteries with it. It appraised at $15,000 but I'll feel lucky if I get $4,000. It's just really hard to sell diamonds. I'm scared to get robbed on fb and ebay is notorious for people buying it, changing the diamond for a cz, then crying that it was a fake and send it back for a refund with the fake in it. I keep it in a safety deposit box now

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

My van has 300k on it so I was kind of waiting until it dies before I sell the ring.

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

I still have the 2000w generator. I don't have a clue how to run it but I can learn. I have a cargo rack for the back I can keep it on but I worry about it getting stolen off there and carrying gas back there is not the best. It was just for emergencies, like if I just get too hot and have to run a small ac unit or something. I was going to bring it but try not to have to use it. Maybe even just tie it on top the van? I still have a little room up there even with the giant solar panel. Eventually I'll hook up the dc- dc charger too
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0vysv2rpbbncaf8/cargorack.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c3k5bmg2xbmvopv/generator.png?dl=0

 

[bullfrog]

I think you need to get with someone like jimindenver and let them assemble, set up and verify what you have will work. You seem to have most of what you need but you need someone with experience running a system to make sure you get what you need for it to work for you. They will know with out having to experiment what will work for you by seeing what you have and how well it is working. Having a generator changes everything as far as options.

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

I agree, it would be nice but as far as I can tell, there is not anyone close to me. I'm going to try to find a solar install place and see if they can help but no luck yet

 

[highdesertranger]

Kristal what general area are you in? Maybe someone on the forum could lend a hand. Highdesertranger

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

I'm 5 mins from Memphis TN. I would love to find anyone near me. I'll post again for that

 

[tx2sturgis]

Head west young lady, I'm right on the way!

 

[Kristalsdreamtrip]

I am going west, to galveston tx first then corpus Christie. Where r u?
Also, this is what I'm thinking...I usually try not to use credit, although mine is good, if I am paying $59 a month anyway for the little batteries, maybe I should just consider this 200ah for not much more a month.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e6n7bupo1wbxo6w/200ah.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/exi5y1iw4d6a92c/200ahcredit.png?dl=0

 

[bullfrog]

I would hold off buying anything till you see if what you have will work, at least long enough to build up a good emergency fund.

 

[abnorm]

Head west young lady, I'm right on the way!

Service Geeeeezer !