Hello all, ok, so I've been hovering and absorbing info at all levels before I go build/ lash out thousands on a perfect setup. Here lies the problem, I've been an electrician for almost 40 years now, very capable with the building/wiring aspect BUT have tied myself up in knots with the design aspect. I shy away from the maths calculations naturally involved with design as one would. I want to put down here my concerns and hopefully someone chime in here and put me straight. I thought I had a system truly sorted in my head but oh NO...!!!
Parameters......
1. 24v battery bank running system to match the truck starter system.
2. Space for 6 solar panels up top. I will fabricate a mechanism to tilt them L to R for maximum efficiency.
3. Allowance for 3kw of 240v inverted usage.
4. Battery choice...???? I want to run 2 x LiFePO4 200ah batteries in series.
5. Main aim to be 'OffGrid' sufficient.
Q's :
1. Solar panels in series or parallel for use with an inverter..?? Main 240v usage will be the AC unit @1200watts and a washing machine intermittently used @ 2000/3000watts (diversity applied in conjunction with AC unit).
2. Battery choice, do LiFePO4 batteries like to be maintained at all times hooked up to a solar system charger or do they like to 'cycle'..??? Would I be better to use AGM batteries...???? I agonise over this choice switching constantly from one to another, maybe I'm missing a few good and obvious pointers here to help me...???
3. Absolute protection for battery life, charger choice etc..?? I DO NOT want to kill a very expensive battery bank with a novice build mistake...!!!
If anyone can do me a layout drawing of your suggested idea that would be great. I've plucked several from Google image but am hesitant to take on the construction until I've tapped into and sought advice from a 'think bank' such as here...
Thanks in advance, Mez
Parameters......
1. 24v battery bank running system to match the truck starter system.
2. Space for 6 solar panels up top. I will fabricate a mechanism to tilt them L to R for maximum efficiency.
3. Allowance for 3kw of 240v inverted usage.
4. Battery choice...???? I want to run 2 x LiFePO4 200ah batteries in series.
5. Main aim to be 'OffGrid' sufficient.
Q's :
1. Solar panels in series or parallel for use with an inverter..?? Main 240v usage will be the AC unit @1200watts and a washing machine intermittently used @ 2000/3000watts (diversity applied in conjunction with AC unit).
2. Battery choice, do LiFePO4 batteries like to be maintained at all times hooked up to a solar system charger or do they like to 'cycle'..??? Would I be better to use AGM batteries...???? I agonise over this choice switching constantly from one to another, maybe I'm missing a few good and obvious pointers here to help me...???
3. Absolute protection for battery life, charger choice etc..?? I DO NOT want to kill a very expensive battery bank with a novice build mistake...!!!
If anyone can do me a layout drawing of your suggested idea that would be great. I've plucked several from Google image but am hesitant to take on the construction until I've tapped into and sought advice from a 'think bank' such as here...
Thanks in advance, Mez