Calculating Amp and Usage Draw

[satorizero]

(added new pic on first post, check )

So, slight switch of topic...

Wanted to ask, we have 6 100w panels..

Question: What is the best setup for the panels? series, parallel or series/parallel?

Like I said before, I think its already setup in series, because the input on the FM is over 100v, thats my only clue besides actually erecting a latter and seeing.


So anyone who responds, I would like to know as many variables and differences that you can list, so I wont have to guess (since im not a Master in Electrical Engineering - I'm actually a 6th grade drop out); this will speed up getting to the point and helping me and others who view this post.

I know one thing I read is, having higher voltage in panel output (series setup) is better for longer runs to the CC.
But I also read that higher voltage makes the CC less efficient because it has to convert it harder to get to 24v.
My natural instinct tells me that 3 strings with 2 panels each would be ideal.... but id like to know from people with experience and knowledge.
So again, please list the variables and opinions on what is better, with pros and cons, thank you <3

[sensij]

Ok great, thanks guys for retracking, Ill remember the points you all made.
Ill have to come back to the forum when I get my watt meter and such
I can only conclude what you guys have as well for now, but I hope my post may help others with the info we contributed.

Open to continuation.

Maybe, sensij, how is the system so unbalanced? I thought I connected it one of the most balanced ways? (click the attachment I posted originally)

I tried clicking on the attachment and it comes up invalid. Would you give it another try?

[satorizero]

Ok great, thanks guys for retracking, Ill remember the points you all made.
Ill have to come back to the forum when I get my watt meter and such
I can only conclude what you guys have as well for now, but I hope my post may help others with the info we contributed.

Open to continuation.

Maybe, sensij, how is the system so unbalanced? I thought I connected it one of the most balanced ways? (click the attachment I posted originally)

[Mike90250]

No that is not what he is saying. For a battery system efficiency is 66 down to 50%

What Sunking is saying, that with a battery based system, the best efficiency you can hope for is 66%, and more typically it's best to figure at 50%. So if you had 5Kwh of loads, you need to harvest 10Kwh of electricity.

[sensij]

Ok, so going back to your probem, why are you getting fewer hours than expected. One or more of the following:

1) Loads are higher than you think. Need a watt meter to check, but rough calculations don't suggest only 4 hours of discharge.
2) Batteries are bad. Need to report voltage after fully charged, then allowed to rest a few hours. Better, buy a temperature correcting hydrometer like this one and see what you get.
3) "Parallel" wiring scheme is unbalanced, and all 300 Ah aren't available because one pair is carrying too much of the load. Included in this one could be other losses due to poor wiring, termination, etc.

[satorizero]

Flooded, AGM, and Gel are all types of lead acid batteries with different charge and discharge requirements. You will need to know which you have in order to use them properly. See my edit above... how do you know they are fully charged?

**** I feel stupid.... im almost certain Flooded. Looks like this... http://media.merchantcircle.com/4027...ycle_full.jpeg

$45 a pop, Id be shocked if they werent.

[sensij]

No no, I appreciate everything you say trust me, the more responses the better

And they are for sure Lead Acid batteries...


So yea

Flooded, AGM, and Gel are all types of lead acid batteries with different charge and discharge requirements. You will need to know which you have in order to use them properly. See my edit above... how do you know they are fully charged?

[satorizero]

Being out of balance will shorten the life. I had misread your battery type earlier and edited my post, but 30 A should not really have boiled 300 Ah of battery, that is only C/10. Are these gel batteries?

Also, in full disclosure, if Sunking and Inetdog are part of the "A team" of battery troubleshooting, you have to work pretty far down the alphabet to get to me. I try to help where I can though, and I'm sure someone will jump in if I lead you too far astray.

No no, I appreciate everything you say trust me, the more responses the better

And they are for sure Lead Acid batteries...
Idk, maybe im missing something here... they were boiling, maybe charge amps arent all that they need to boil, but its voltage charge is normal default on it :/
Ah well..

So yea

[sensij]

Being out of balance will shorten the life. I had misread your battery type earlier and edited my post, but 30 A should not really have boiled 300 Ah of battery, that is only C/10. Are these gel batteries?

Edit: How do you know they are fully charged? What is the resting voltage you get?

Also, in full disclosure, if Sunking and Inetdog are part of the "A team" of battery troubleshooting, you have to work pretty far down the alphabet to get to me. I try to help where I can though, and I'm sure someone will jump in if I lead you too far astray.

[satorizero]

Im aware that the battery life can be compromised, knowing why you say that would help though

And yea, well then really none of my questions could be answered because we all conclude it should last 8-10 hours and im only getting 3-4, so idk what to say haha.

And the 15A settting on the Trace (which is only on when generator is on), was set from its default 30A... which I just assumed was way too high for a charge, partially because the batteries were boiling out sprinkles of liquid...

p.s. the owner of the system told me today he could care less about the batteries... so again, my questions only pertain to how much time I can get out of the setup in its current setting, and how to calculate it... which seems impossible to get close to accurate.

[sensij]

Thats a good answer.... then no calculations matter until that is known..

Mostly, but regardless of the condition of the batteries today, the setup you have described is not conducive to a long life for them. If they aren't the problem yet (a big if), they will be sooner than you'd like, I think.

Edit: Where did you get 15 A as an appropriate charge current when running the generator?

[satorizero]

Thats a good answer.... then no calculations matter until that is known..

[sensij]

What info are you missing? Help

The answers to your questions would come from diagnostic equipment and reference material that I guess you don't have. Watt meters to get actual power consumption instead of guesses and fudge factors based on equipment ratings. Clamp on current meters to see how balanced your battery bank is. Battery manufacturer / part / model numbers to see what the recommended charge and discharge cycles are. What "reconditioned" means according to whoever sold the batteries to you, and how damaged they might be from their history prior to that.

Edit: Also, add to your load list another 16 W for the inverter.

[satorizero]

Lol, im trying to get you to answer to help me

According to the formula you just said, 24V x 150Ah = 3500 WH for the batteries

So that means 3500WH / 300W = 11.6 hours...

which again, comes back to why are we only lasting 3-4 hours?

What info are you missing? Help

[Sunking]

Before you guys answer... on the flip side I did do watt hours before...
I WAY overshot by saying that we use 300w total (which is crazy because theres no way were using even half that)

So lets say I wanna use 300w as long as the batteries can last... well, how long should it last?
I get 8 hours in many of my calculations...
we're only lasting like 4 hours on full charge.

Impossible to answer because you have not given any information to answer. How much gas do I use in 4 hours? Can you answer that? Why can't you answer?

300 watts x 4 hours = 1200 watt hours.
Battery Capacity in WH = Battery Voltage x Amp Hours. So how long will 300 watts last. You tell me, I don't have a clue becaus eyou have not given any useful information. What I can tell you if you use 1200 watt hours in a day using a 12 volt battery will take a 12 volt 500 AH battery.