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Post by bcroteau on Jul 22, 2019 20:01:50 GMT
Hi everyone, I'm designing a small 300W solar system for our cabin in Northern NH and I'm looking for advice on which type of battery would perform best for my application. Lithium is out of the budget. So that leaves AGM and Gel. I'm looking at both of the Renogy 200ah batteries. We mainly use this cabin during the fall and winter, where it can dropped as low as -20F one night last winter, rare but possible. The battery will be stored in a non-heated shed with with the rest of our power equipment.
Thoughts and opinions?
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Post by tattoo on Jul 22, 2019 21:44:46 GMT
Hi everyone, I'm designing a small 300W solar system for our cabin in Northern NH and I'm looking for advice on which type of battery would perform best for my application. Lithium is out of the budget. So that leaves AGM and Gel. I'm looking at both of the Renogy 200ah batteries. We mainly use this cabin during the fall and winter, where it can dropped as low as -20F one night last winter, rare but possible. The battery will be stored in a non-heated shed with with the rest of our power equipment. Thoughts and opinions? If it gets that cold your going to have problems...... Before you start wondering about what batteries you might need you will need to figure how much power you will be using in a 24 hour period in the winter time......
Because you don't make as much power in the winter as you do in the summer...... |
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Post by bcroteau on Jul 23, 2019 1:14:24 GMT
Luckily, our usage is very low. A few 12v LED light bulbs, a 26W TV, an 8W Dish Wally, a 6W CPAP and then charge a couple of cell phones. I doubt our draw would ever be more than 500W per day. Water is a hand pump from a well, stove and refrigerator are propane.
Currently, we have two generators (one old motor/alternator and a newer Champion/Craftsman battery charger) that we've been using to charge an interstate 8-D FLA that finally after 7 years, won't hold a charge any more. So, we have an alternative to charge the battery besides solar.
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Post by bupkis on Jul 23, 2019 13:10:18 GMT
I'd stay with FLA then AGM
Lifeline AGM is tops with an extensive manual.
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Post by mediadogg on Jul 23, 2019 14:45:19 GMT
Luckily, our usage is very low. A few 12v LED light bulbs, a 26W TV, an 8W Dish Wally, a 6W CPAP and then charge a couple of cell phones. I doubt our draw would ever be more than 500W per day. Water is a hand pump from a well, stove and refrigerator are propane. Currently, we have two generators (one old motor/alternator and a newer Champion/Craftsman battery charger) that we've been using to charge an interstate 8-D FLA that finally after 7 years, won't hold a charge any more. So, we have an alternative to charge the battery besides solar. I assume by 500W, you meant 500WH? If so, then I think your system is reasonably sized, assuming you position your panels well, both for sunlight and ease of cleaning (no power if they are covered with snow!). I usually multiply everything by 1/2 to be extremely conservative. So 300W x 1/2 = 150W. So, you would need a bit over 3 hours of full sun equivalent to generate 500WH. If you get more than that, the excess will go to keeping your battery charged. Less than that, and you will start drawing down your battery. As far as the battery, make sure you use one of those battery protection circuits to keep the battery from being overdrawn. In my experience, the cutoff circuitry of consumer grade inverters does not offer enough protection. You want your battery to stay above 40% (unless lithium). Your 200AH x 12V x 60% is well within your 500WH needs, and you have some to spare for a cloudy day, assuming you have been generating enough excess to keep the battery charged. An alternative to using the traditional solar panel to charge controller to battery to inverter configuration, there are these new lithium based power packs that everybody makes these days. They can easily generate the amount of AC and DC that you need, and have capacities ranging from a few WH up to 1000WH (Renogy Lycan). You can find lots of brands, price points and features on Amazon and elsewhere. I have used ChargeTech, Omnicharge, Renogy, Ravpower and a number of other brands. Many of them will take a direct input from solar panels, and generate 110-120VAC plus USB and 12V DC outputs. Just a suggestion for perhaps a simpler configuration for you, given your minimal needs. As an example, the Renogy Lycan (on sale) can store 1000WH, supply over 1000W AC, has multiple AC, USB and 12V outputs and a built-in MPPT solar charge controller. It would be more than adequate for your needs, albeit pricey, but it is all inclusive. I think Renogy also sells smaller units with similar capabilities, except that they probably will not handle 300W of solar panels. Here it is: Renogy Lycan Powerbox. I absolutely love mine. |
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