At my cabin I have an off grid solar system, 6 @285W panels (3 strings of 2) a CC, inverter and they are connected to a 24V Rolls battery bank (4x6V, 6CS-21P batteries). I also have a 40A 24V battery charger ( it actually has 4 amp settings, 10A, 20A, 30A and 40A) I want to tie in for extended periods of rain or full cloud cover. Right now, I get about 3 days good and 4-5 days OK. I am looking for a good diesel generator to run the battery charger for even longer cloudy spells or times when I just need some extra power. I have a 6000 watt diesel at the sugarhouse, but I need to keep that there just in case I need it. I'm really looking for a 2000 watt or even a little smaller one in diesel. Diesel stores much longer and if the SHTF I could make my own diesel. An inverter genny would be best, but I only see those in gas. Propane is a distant second choice in this case. Any ideas? I don't see a spec tag on my charger, but are my calculation right? 40A @ 24V = 8A at 120V, then factor in the efficiency loss, I'm guessing I only need 9 or 10A at 120V. The charger is an old one and it says it is a rectifying charger, is that an issue, I have no idea what that means. I bought it from a municipality about 8 yrs ago when they decided to go with a bigger one. I don't know what it was used for.
Also, if I hook it up, the cables from the charger to the battery bank will be about 10' long (actually 1 will be about 6', the other about 10'. It has 8 ga. leads now but only 4' long, when I change them what Ga. should I use. I'm thinking 6 Ga?
Also, if I hook it up, the cables from the charger to the battery bank will be about 10' long (actually 1 will be about 6', the other about 10'. It has 8 ga. leads now but only 4' long, when I change them what Ga. should I use. I'm thinking 6 Ga?
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