Hi,
in order to add another house bank (of 200ah) as a dedicated bank for a portable fridge, I'm going to have to get a bigger panel than the current 50w which has been fine for everything else.
so I'm thinking of replacing the 50w panel with a 200w panel.
i currently have 2 house banks, which works well (no need for a starter battery, have outboard), I'd like to retain the existing 2 house banks and add the separate third bank, but I can't get my head around the details of adding a third bank from a single panel??.....would like to avoid VSR's if at all possible, anyone got any ideas?
cheers
Hi, a few options come to mind.
1. Keep the things completely separate. Retain the existing panel for the current set up and a new panel, regulator & battery for the fridge.
2. Use a 2 way switch. When bank 1 is full (on your voltmeter) switch to bank 2.
3. Connect the 3 in parallel to make one big bank. Doesn't really meet your requirements.
4. Why the resistance to a VSR? We've used one on Alibi for 2 years without a hitch. Dead easy to wire up. Panel to regulator, reg to bat bank 1. Vsr between banks.
5. Use a dual battery regulator.
://www.solarcampingaustralia.com.au/dual-battery-c-35_62/20amp-12v24v-dual-battery-solar-charge-controller-p-251.html
www.redarc.com.au/20a-solar-regulator
www.autoelec.com.au/ctek-d250sa-dual-battery-smart-charger-12-volt-sol
And loads more on eBay etc
I reckon 5 would do the job well.
Cheers
Bristol
Thanks Bristol & Cisco.
further to your points Bristol...
1, I like this but as you know real estate is at a premium on a small boat, but I could bolt on say a 150w panel next to the 50 w panel I suppose, it might look a bit hotch potch but would work. I also thought the day might come where the 50w panel doesn't keep up with all the other house loads (except fridge) but that day hasn't come yet.
2, doesn't sound foolproof, not good for me.
3, yeah doesn't suit the different types, sizes and vintages of batteries I have.
4, I'm trying to avoid the possible failure of one, if I don't have one it can't fail. Plus my understanding of them is if for example the fridge is on battery 1 and it's in constant use, then the voltage may not get high enough that the other battery banks never get to receive a charge???
5, yes I like this point too, I currently have a "duo" type regulator at the moment and it does a stellar job of keeping the existing battery banks charged and separate.
How would you add another bank? Have another duo wired between the existing duo and splitting off to charge banks 2 and 3?
a diode sounds like it would work, I'd need to find the correct one,
cheers
Using shotky diodes is very simple and bulletproof solution.
I start using them 20 years ago. After many years of different testing,
the only practical usage is maintains batteries charge when boat is not used often, sure charging separate banks is possible but the banks with low current demand,
if one bank is loaded with the fridge, should be separated, as was suggested, 50W house, 150W fridge bank.
Ah, how about a triple regulator?
www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.energymatters.com.au/ampair100-regulator-for-12volt-triple-battery-bank-p-660.html&ved=2ahUKEwjmg__FtKrbAhXFgbwKHRcyACMQFjAAegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw3EpFaOZGE4Ed3Jm9fcntEC
I can't see any reason why you can't simply split the feed from the new panel. One feed to your existing dual controller and the other to a single battery regulator and then the new battery fridge.
Btw, we use a 50w for all power ( no fridge ) and it has been fine so far.
Cheers
Bristol
Easiest way with 3 banks of batteries is to have 3 panels, one for each bank with it's own cheap regulator. Small panel vertical along side the pushpit each side for the existing banks. Horizontal larger panel just to run the fridge.
