Running out of power and don't have the $$ to add storage. Is there a way to incorporate a DC charger/power supply safely?
For example can the charger be added on the PV panel side??
Project is a composting toilet block at a school in Indonesia. Solar PV system to be used as example and education for students.
System includes 3 low watt fans and 5w DC lights, 3x200W solar panel, EPSolar TRACER3210A charge controller and an 80aH 12v Deepcycle Gel battery.
The EP Tracer controller has separate connection for loads and for battery
In normal use only fans are used with about 2-3 hours of lighting. But when the sun doesn't shine or lights are turned on in daytime power consumption goes through the roof and the system dies.
I want to save the battery from Extinction.
We tried putting a 10A charger directly to battery and burnt it up. I suspect the combined load of discharged battery and building loads (7a max) exceeded the charger capacity.
If I get a bigger charger I believe the battery will get too much charge rate with 2 controllers on the battery.
Is it feasible/crazy to add the DC supply on the PV panel input? I was planning to use a simple timer switch to control the amount of extra DC power.
This way the Tracer would manage the battery directly.
The Tracer is an MPPT charge controller, we are using 3xGE200W solar panel In parallel to the system, we might take one off depending on testing results.
I would have thought this was a common scenario for an RV at a trailer park, when loads are running, sun is shining and the battery needs to get more charge.
Key question:
Is there a 'good' or safe way to add extra DC power to this system without breaking the budget.
Our charge controller was 300$, the battery 300$ and the rest free from another project.
I believe adding 2-3 more batteries would fix the issue but we don't have the budget.
As example a 24v DC supply 5a has almost the same voltage output as my panels, it would give close to enough power to drive the system could it be hooked up in series to the PV panel input of the Tracer controller ??
For example can the charger be added on the PV panel side??
Project is a composting toilet block at a school in Indonesia. Solar PV system to be used as example and education for students.
System includes 3 low watt fans and 5w DC lights, 3x200W solar panel, EPSolar TRACER3210A charge controller and an 80aH 12v Deepcycle Gel battery.
The EP Tracer controller has separate connection for loads and for battery
In normal use only fans are used with about 2-3 hours of lighting. But when the sun doesn't shine or lights are turned on in daytime power consumption goes through the roof and the system dies.
I want to save the battery from Extinction.
We tried putting a 10A charger directly to battery and burnt it up. I suspect the combined load of discharged battery and building loads (7a max) exceeded the charger capacity.
If I get a bigger charger I believe the battery will get too much charge rate with 2 controllers on the battery.
Is it feasible/crazy to add the DC supply on the PV panel input? I was planning to use a simple timer switch to control the amount of extra DC power.
This way the Tracer would manage the battery directly.
The Tracer is an MPPT charge controller, we are using 3xGE200W solar panel In parallel to the system, we might take one off depending on testing results.
I would have thought this was a common scenario for an RV at a trailer park, when loads are running, sun is shining and the battery needs to get more charge.
Key question:
Is there a 'good' or safe way to add extra DC power to this system without breaking the budget.
Our charge controller was 300$, the battery 300$ and the rest free from another project.
I believe adding 2-3 more batteries would fix the issue but we don't have the budget.
As example a 24v DC supply 5a has almost the same voltage output as my panels, it would give close to enough power to drive the system could it be hooked up in series to the PV panel input of the Tracer controller ??
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