Cable question

gcp · Apr 3, 2012

Thank you for the fuse sizing recommendation, it'll be work in progress.

Swift, as I've mentioned I do have a PTO driven 5KW generator, for the heavy use around the house, but it's noisy and requires diesel use. Truth is I am using this project as a learning opportunity, and to power my sheds around the property. See, I have a Conex container in which I store 4-wheelers and other such HW so I need to provide ventilation and trickle charging capabilities. I appreciate the link, I'm at Woburn but I'll check it out while in the area.

gcp · Apr 5, 2012

Worthington, MA is not close to where I am so a visit will be impossible. But I recently started reading about the Deco Unigy batteries and they seem to be a good power bank solution, if only I can find them at a reasonable price.

varmint · Apr 5, 2012

As a couple of posters have already noted, the wire is tinned. That is a requirement for wire used in marine, or aircraft applications. This is good. Looks like a lot of strands- I wish we knew what the diameter of the wire itself was?

Swiftriver · Apr 5, 2012

gcp said:
Worthington, MA is not close to where I am so a visit will be impossible. But I recently started reading about the Deco Unigy batteries and they seem to be a good power bank solution, if only I can find them at a reasonable price.

I have never worked with Deka batteries. I have used Trojan L16 on all the systems I have installed. They are easy to find, reasonably priced (if there is such a thing), and hold up very well if they are taken care of. The key to long battery life is keep them topped off with fresh distilled water, equalize at least every other month, and never let them get below 75% of full charge. For your 12 volt system that would be no lower than 12.4 volts. My first set of batteries lasted 10 1/2 years and my current ones are 5 years old and still going strong. Solar is not a put it in and forget it system. There is a lot of maintenance if you want it to last.
BTW, I sell and install solar equipment but we just ran a 1 1/4 mile line extension to get utility power to where we are going to build our new house. It was cheaper than going solar.

gcp · Apr 5, 2012

So, easy access to the batteries is a must then! There goes my first plan of installa
tion :laughing:

Swiftriver · Apr 6, 2012

gcp said:
So, easy access to the batteries is a must then! There's goes my first plan of instullation :laughing:

Build a plywood box witha hinged cover and make sure you put in a vent pipe. Those batterys give off dangerous gases, especially when you are equalizing.

gcp · Apr 6, 2012

Just as an FYI, would'nt sealed batteries require no maintenance and produce no outgassing?And if so there's a good reason for choosing that route.

gcp · Apr 6, 2012

Just as an FYI, would'nt sealed batteries require no maintenance and produce no outgassing?And if so there's a good reason for choosing that route.

I've about decided to install in my barn so weather and need for ventilation won't be an issue. I can then simply run ac wire from the inverter into the house and wire it to an external ac outlet. I can then completely disconnect grid ac from the barn and use my new solar system as trial to run its lights and equipment.

It's all coming together in my mind.

I have one more question, can I use one panel controller to connect 3 sets of 45w solar panels? These HF systems come with one controller each so will one be able to handle 3x the current?

Swiftriver · Apr 6, 2012

gcp said:
Just as an FYI, would'nt sealed batteries require no maintenance and produce no outgassing?And if so there's a good reason for choosing that route.

True, AGM batterys are maintenance free, but that comes at a hefty price. Two Trojan L16 6volt 370 Amp Hour batterys wired in series will give you a 12 volt 740 AH battery at about $650. It would take 7 Trojan 27AGM 12 volt 100AH batterys wired parallel to equal that at a cost of about $1600. The small system in my camp has 8 L16 batterys at $2600. AGM would be $6400. Vent pipe and distilled water aren't that expensive. Please, somebody correct me if my math is off. Also, does anybody have any experience with AGM batterys as far as life expectancy and equalizing?

B7510HSD · Apr 7, 2012

Swiftriver said:
True, AGM batterys are maintenance free, but that comes at a hefty price. Two Trojan L16 6volt 370 Amp Hour batterys wired in series will give you a 12 volt 740 AH battery at about $650. It would take 7 Trojan 27AGM 12 volt 100AH batterys wired parallel to equal that at a cost of about $1600. The small system in my camp has 8 L16 batterys at $2600. AGM would be $6400. Vent pipe and distilled water aren't that expensive. Please, somebody correct me if my math is off. Also, does anybody have any experience with AGM batterys as far as life expectancy and equalizing?

I work in the forklift industry and we use both the AGM batteries average double the price of wet cell batteries...and they must charge at a lower and slower rate than the wet cells to avoid over heating them!! I would also go with the wet cells and put in a vent of some kind!! AH are AH BUT so a dollars!! :thumbsup: Typically a deep cycle needs to be drawn down before recahrging unlike an automotive battery with turns your motor over and recharges again this is the key t long life!!