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  • Hooking up multiple batteries?

    Hi all, im just new here, i found your site googling my solar question. ok here goes, i have just gotten my first set of panels 3 x 20w for my RV, and i want to hook up more than one 12v batt. how do i do that properly so the panels will charge and use both batteries. sorry for the noob question, but im really new to this and want to learn. one day i would like to do my house aswell

  • #2
    The little 20W Harbor Freight or Norther Tool panels, are great toys.

    Batteries - Don't try to use your vehicle starter battery for camping. You will kill it

    Here's a great article about connecting batteries on the diagonal
    http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html (connect batteries on diagonal )

    and some other battery stuff:

    http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm (short & sweet)
    http://www.batteryfaq.org/ (very large)
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
      The little 20W Harbor Freight or Norther Tool panels, are great toys.

      Batteries - Don't try to use your vehicle starter battery for camping. You will kill it

      Here's a great article about connecting batteries on the diagonal
      http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html (connect batteries on diagonal )

      and some other battery stuff:

      http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm (short & sweet)
      http://www.batteryfaq.org/ (very large)
      thx for the info. im using two kirkland (costco) deep cycle batteries.

      Comment


      • #4
        im trying out method 2 on the smart gauge link. now if i hook the load to the bottom right and top left, where would i hook up the solar panels? to the opposite posts? hope i'm making sense ...

        Comment


        • #5
          Loads and chargers hook to the same posts.
          Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
          || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
          || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

          solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
          gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
            Loads and chargers hook to the same posts.
            oh ok, so if i hook my batteries up like in method 2 and put my load and charge on the same posts i should be good?

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by NelsonM64 View Post
              oh ok, so if i hook my batteries up like in method 2 and put my load and charge on the same posts i should be good?
              Should be good
              Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
              || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
              || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

              solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
              gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
                Should be good
                seems to be working good. i hooked it up the way i said. i ran 2 60 watt bulbs all day off it and the batteries barely droped, like maybe 2%. thats not bad for a 60w setup is it? i was impressed

                Comment


                • #9
                  glad to see you got it up and running nelson

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Jason View Post
                    glad to see you got it up and running nelson
                    thx. in your opinion is it doing ok for it is? sorry i'm green as they come.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Even greener here, as I have yet to purchase my system. But I was planning on getting the 80 watt Northern Tool system. And will use 2 batteries as well.

                      I found this forum searching how to hook up multiple batteries, and it answered that question. But where would the inverter be hooked up to as with the intakes of the solar lines? Hopefully that makes sense.

                      MZ

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I thought I read it all but thanks for posting this info on connecting bateries. I was always under the impression that the impedence of each of the batteries will vary and connecting them was critcle . this article really helps. this explains alot why one of the batteries in a bank usually does not always reccharge like the others . (all batteries were new). good lesson learned. should put a book out on frequently DIY mistakes. thanks.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          JohnnyK...glad you attained some new knowledge here at Solar Panel Talk. Thanks for the feedback!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Nice bit of info there. I Knew there had to be a right and wrong way to do it. thanks for showing us the difference. As well as explaining why there is a right and wrong way to do it.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by milezone View Post
                              I found this forum searching how to hook up multiple batteries, and it answered that question. But where would the inverter be hooked up to as with the intakes of the solar lines?
                              Inverters connect to the battery bank, at the same terminals that the charger connects to.
                              Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                              || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                              || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                              solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                              gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                              Comment

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