Need some help here adding a new battery bank separate from the first battery bank using a Marine Isolator switching from one to the other but Solar Charging both banks at the same time, if possible.
I am dry docked on a piece of property off the grid!
I have one battery bank of 8 batteries which includes the 2 bay.
Solar-monitor-battery bank-inverter!
I put together another bank of batteries and bought a Marine Isolator with switchable dial that has 1, 2 or 1&2 on it.
My question to you, can someone draw me a diagram adding the 2nd bank of batteries but keeping them separate so the older batteries don't drain the newer batteries!
Thanks guys, been awhile since I've been on. Nice to be back.
* This post was
edited 06/04/12 06:08pm by aztecaa *
This is the sort of thing I set up for long distance cruisers more or less regularly.
Bad news, you need a battery monitor system for each bank to make it work right.
Two monitors/solar controllers can be run from one solar array.
You only need one inverter. Use the selector to choose which bank runs the inverter. If you pay attention to the condition of each bank and use the 1,2,1+2 switch to keep them balanced, you will have a successful system.
It really is that simple, but it requires care and thought. (Unfortunately, some clients just can't be counted on to think all that hard.)
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dog going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.
I was hoping with your advice in needing 2 monitors you would accompany it with a diagram I was asking for.
Anyways, I have been sleeping on this and don't really see the need for 2 monitors.
Why can I take the wires coming from the monitor already installed and connect it to a MARINE Switch that will direct the power to what ever bank I want it to go to. 1,2 or 1&2. I would add another catastrophic fuse for the second bank and switch it from the outside near the front of the RV to what ever bank I need to charge. I 'll need to figure out the inverter, not sure yet. Makes more sense and simple connect. As I stated before, I have no plans on moving my RV from the spot it's in.
Please correct me if I am wrong, or tell me what I'm missing here.
Thanks
* This post was
edited 06/04/12 06:02pm by aztecaa *
While in use there will be no great need to hold the batteries separate.
Only need to separate if stored with no float and since you have solar even that is a nonissue.
smkettner wrote: While in use there will be no great need to hold the batteries separate.
Only need to separate if stored with no float and since you have solar even that is a nonissue.
I just bought 4 more batteries used and i don't want to connect them all togther! I heard that it can drain the others if they don't charge up as the others. Shorten the life of my existing batteries bank.
So I must separate them especially since these are Marine Deep Cycle 12 volt batteries which will be connected in parallel only. Another thing is the first battery bank is 8-6 volt deep cycle batteries. I'm off the grid so i need my solar and batteries!
* This post was
edited 06/04/12 06:01pm by aztecaa *
smkettner wrote: If they are all wet cell batteries they will play just fine together. Don't mix AGM with GEL or wet cell.
For off a large off grid system I find it odd you are using 12 volts.
I thought most of these set ups were 48+
My RV runs on 12 volts and my true sine wave inverter is also 12 volts in. I am living in the RV and building the house around it. I only use the inverter for watching TV, PC, small things. Of course all the lights are 12 volts, pump etc. Got such a great price on these 12 volts marine batts that I couldn't pass up. They were on a 88 foot Sail Boat.
When I get the Room upstairs done I do plan on buying what I need to do 48 volt system up stairs and keep the 1st bank for the RV downstairs in the garage.
I just need someone to give me some sort of idea in connecting the Marine switch 1,2,1+2 from the Monitor and then inverter to the marine switch or add another switch, not sure on that one. Thanks
Quick note, when I was first setting up my system I read NOT to ever mix NEW batteries with OLD batteries. So are you saying that old batteries won't shorten the life of new batteries and bring them down. This is new to me hearing this. I NOT an expert but did research about mixing old with new, NO NO!
* This post was
edited 06/04/12 10:45pm by aztecaa *
aztecaa wrote: my set up is now...
4 way Marine switch that will hold up to 48 volts.
On the marine switch we have 4 positions 1, 2, 1&2 and off! 1&2 being COMMON.
1. The solar monitor, engine and inverter go to the Common.
This description doesn't make sense to me. The battery selector switch normally has exactly three connections - two are inputs for Battery1 and Battery2. The other is the output for whatever you want connected to the batteries. The switch can be turned so either battery bank, both battery banks or neither bank is connected to the output. There shouldn't be any "Commmon" to connect anything to. If there was, the batteries would always be connected together, and the whole point of the switch is to prevent that.
Perhaps you are saying that you have connected the solar monitor, engine and inverter to the output. If that's the case, it will work, but the monitor will be confused if you switch, and you won't get what you asked for - charging both banks from the panels.
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