hi all from Ontario Canada

[Aich]

Thought I'd check this forum and see how fellow solar enthusiasts go about things. I'm sure I'll learn a lot on the way as I've found from other types of forums. Hopefully I can add a few things as well. We're in the process of building a home in the bush off grid (we figured it's right thing to do) definitely not a money saver! Yet! Our system is a 4kw - 12 panel ,14 - 12 volt batteries with a 6kw ecogen backup. Looking forward to reading instead of typing on my phone . Lol.

[solar pete]

Hi Aich and welcome to Solar Panel Talk.

Is your off -grid system built or being built? Cheers

[SunEagle]

Thought I'd check this forum and see how fellow solar enthusiasts go about things. I'm sure I'll learn a lot on the way as I've found from other types of forums. Hopefully I can add a few things as well. We're in the process of building a home in the bush off grid (we figured it's right thing to do) definitely not a money saver! Yet! Our system is a 4kw - 12 panel ,14 - 12 volt batteries with a 6kw ecogen backup. Looking forward to reading instead of typing on my phone . Lol.

I understand the desire to have power way off the grid but I wonder how you have those 14 x 12volt batteries wired.

14 can't get you a 48volt system so if it is a 24volt system you will have 7 pairs in parallel. That could be a big issue getting them evenly charged and discharged.

If you need a big battery system is would be better to design around 48volts made up of low voltage (2,4 or 6v) high Ah rated batteries all wired in series.

[russ]

Everyone here will suggest designing the system before deciding on the components - forget the battery plan you have and go for the right batteries for one thing.