Battery Bank

**FloridaSun** · 05-28-2013, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by noshali

This is just to clarify. Please advise.
I have 4 12v 165AH batteries in a 48v configuration. What is my bank size to put in the charge controller? Is the bank size 165ah or is it 165ah times 4?
Thanks
Ali

165Ah

but you shouldn't need to set your charge controller for that, only for 48 volts

**noshali** · 05-28-2013, 11:13 AM

Thanks...my xantrex charge controller asks for it....the default value was 440ah.

**FloridaSun** · 05-28-2013, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by noshali

Thanks...my xantrex charge controller asks for it....the default value was 440ah.

ah, I'm not familiar with xantrex.

**noshali** · 05-28-2013, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by FloridaSun

ah, I'm not familiar with xantrex.

Thanks...I posted another question that no one answered and I am lost. If you would be kind enough to have a look and advise if possible.

**FloridaSun** · 05-28-2013, 11:47 AM

Originally posted by noshali

Thanks...I posted another question that no one answered and I am lost. If you would be kind enough to have a look and advise if possible.

if possible... I rarely post tech answers here as their are so many more on this forum more qualified than I.
Be patient. The pros do have other things to do besides sit here and answer questions. Amazing really how much time those pros do take time out of their everyday life to help us.

**inetdog** · 05-28-2013, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by noshali

Thanks...my xantrex charge controller asks for it....the default value was 440ah.

I believe that the Xantrex, without explaining it to you, uses the AH value you enter to set the end-current/end-amps value used to terminate the Absorb phase or maybe to otherwise determine the length of time for Absorb. So while the real value is a good first step, you may later actually want to deliberately fudge this number to get the performance you want.

**Mike90250** · 05-29-2013, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by noshali

Thanks...I posted another question that no one answered and I am lost. If you would be kind enough to have a look and advise if possible.

maybe post again to that thread. or maybe it's a question that has no valid answer.

**noshali** · 06-29-2013, 02:43 AM

Ok..finally found a dealer that has 200ah batteries. Still over my budget but worth considering. He gave me 2 options for 48 volts bank.

4x12 volts 200ah batteries or 24x2 volt 200ah batteries. the 24x2 option is cheaper.

What are the pros and cons? Please advise so I can make an informed decision. Also, what is the best planning in case I need to add AH to the bank later as my needs increase.

thanks

**mapmaker** · 06-29-2013, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by noshali

Ok..finally found a dealer that has 200ah batteries. Still over my budget but worth considering. He gave me 2 options for 48 volts bank.

4x12 volts 200ah batteries or 24x2 volt 200ah batteries. the 24x2 option is cheaper.

What are the pros and cons? Please advise so I can make an informed decision. Also, what is the best planning in case I need to add AH to the bank later as my needs increase.

I am surprised that the 24x2 is cheaper. What batteries are these? Also, did you consider 8 x 6 volt batteries? These are usually the cheapest.

Also, you already have 4 x 12 volt 165 ah batteries. Are you planning to use them in addition to the 200 ah batteries you are looking at?

--mapmaker

**noshali** · 06-29-2013, 06:02 AM

6 volt not available....after doing some research 2 volts might be older stock hence cheaper. 165ah bank will go.
Now please help me with this.
I recently added a APC UPS to my setup. I really cant afford adding batteries. The need to add the UPS was to split the load. So now I have 2 5000va UPS connected to the same 165ah bank with 3120 watts solar panels and a xantrex 60 amp cc.
Now I want to replace the bank with 200AH bank. SHould I use 8 100ah batteries or 4 200AH batteries???? Create 2 strings...one for each UPS but have only ONE charge controller that will feed both strings.
thanks

**mapmaker** · 06-29-2013, 06:44 AM

Originally posted by noshali

Create 2 strings...one for each UPS but have only ONE charge controller that will feed both strings.
thanks

That won't work. If you hook up a charge controller to two strings of batteries, you will be putting those two strings in parallel.

3120 watts of panels is a lot for a 165 or 200 ah battery bank.

Where are you located that you cannot find 6 volt batteries? I think 6 volt golf cart batteries are the most widely available batteries.

I am too confused by your situation to offer much design help. You say you can't afford to add batteries, but then you plan to have two strings of batteries.

Perhaps you should abandon this confusing thread and start over with a clear description of what you have and what you hope to accomplish with an upgrade. Then the forum members can give you their thoughts on how to accomplish your goals.

--mapmaker

**noshali** · 06-29-2013, 07:07 AM

Sorry....I tend to ramble and assume that folks know what is inside my head. My wife complains about the same thing...

What I meant to say was that once I get the 200ah bank..I will not be able to add batteries for some time as after this investment I would have spent all I could on my solar project. Maybe add panels but want to be done with batteries for sometime.

My question is that now I have 2 UPS. Is it better to have 8 100ah batteries in 48v config or is it better to have 4 200ah batteries 48v. Lets say down the road I add more panels and another CC....I could take 4 batteries from the existing bank of 8 and create 2 100ah banks. Is that better or is it better to feed 2 cc to one 4 battery bank of 48 volts. What I am afraid of is that if I add another cc and panels (lower cost than batteries) then would it be a problem to have 2 cc feed one bank.

BTW I am in Pakistan. Yes they play golf here but deep cycle batteries are considered a luxury...most people use the standard crank car batteries to get by.

Thanks

**Mike90250** · 06-29-2013, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by noshali

.....

BTW I am in Pakistan. Yes they play golf here but deep cycle batteries are considered a luxury...most people use the standard crank car batteries to get by.

Thanks

You will find that standard car starting batteries, will not last more than a couple months in deep cycle service. They will fail much sooner than Deep Cycle batteries. So, you will be taking them back for warranty replacement, and after the 2nd time, the store will likely lock you out.

12V batteries only have 3 interconnect cables. If you use 2V batteries, you will have 23 interconnect cables to build, bolt to batteries, and keep clean.

**noshali** · 06-29-2013, 09:56 AM

Originally posted by Mike90250

You will find that standard car starting batteries, will not last more than a couple months in deep cycle service. They will fail much sooner than Deep Cycle batteries. So, you will be taking them back for warranty replacement, and after the 2nd time, the store will likely lock you out.

12V batteries only have 3 interconnect cables. If you use 2V batteries, you will have 23 interconnect cables to build, bolt to batteries, and keep clean.

I wasn't.planning on using the regular car batteries.I will be using deep cycle batteries.
Please advise on the question posted for making the right choice on the bank. Buying 100ah vs 200ah

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