Battery bank, inverter, charger

Cricket
Cricket Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 3 ✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
I am going to apologize up front, this is not about installing solar... yet.

I am currently trying to hook up the following: 
* Samlex SA-1500-124 inverter 24v
* 4 6v GC batteries from Costco (wired for 24v)
* NOCO Genius G26000 battery charger

I am living in a prospectors tent on 20 acres and have Honda EU3000i to power my tools while I build my cabin.
I'm wanting battery power to run my small chest freezer, a fan, a light, and charge my laptop. Since I use the generator a good sum of time during the day I figured I could let it charge the battery bank and then have some creature comforts at night.
Problem is, while I know I can just plug all this stuff up, I don't know if it is safe to do certain things.
* Can I charge the battery bank like this while having the inverter connected and in use?
* What size cables should I use?
* Any fuses or disconnects?

My brother is on deployment and he knows his way around solar. It was his suggestion I get these things (he even picked the product models) and said that they could be used with the solar setup. But it'll be a while before he is back stateside.

Thanks in advance.
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Comments

  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    You should definitely be able to charge with the generator and also run your loads. Not sure what the output is on the charger, but the batteries will only take about 30a at 24v, 6a at 120v. 1500w inverter is ~65a at 24v.

    I would size the cables from batteries to the inverter as big as will fit on the inverter and as short as possible. You should have a fuse or breaker on the positive cable within 18" of the battery terminal, sized for the lesser of the inverter maker spec or cable size/ampacity.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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  • Raj174
    Raj174 Solar Expert Posts: 795 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2017 #3
    Hi Cricket,
    I had a 1500 watt 24 volt Cotek inverter and it called for 4 AWG cable from inverter to battery and a 100 amp fuse, but I believe you will find the cable and fuse requirements in the inverter manual.

    Also, keep in mind, these batteries need to be fully charged every three days or so. If you just continuously recharge only the the amount of power that you use then battery life will be shortened. Since the charger is 16 amps, you will get about 100 amps hours back into the batteries in 8 hours including losses due to internal resistance. Probably shouldn't take the batteries down to a point were they can't be fully charged by the end of the day.

    Rick
    4480W PV, MNE175DR-TR, MN Classic 150, Outback Radian GS4048A, Mate3, 51.2V 360AH nominal LiFePO4, Kohler Pro 5.2E genset.
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Raj174 said:
    ... 1500 watt 24 volt Cotek inverter and it called for 4 AWG cable from inverter to battery ....
    I hope that is for a very short cable run. I think my Prosine 1800 watt 24 volt, wants 2/0 for a 5 foot run.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • Raj174
    Raj174 Solar Expert Posts: 795 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Just stating what my manual indicates.

    SK1500-124/224  #4  100A

    That's why I suggested the OP check his manual.

    Rick


    4480W PV, MNE175DR-TR, MN Classic 150, Outback Radian GS4048A, Mate3, 51.2V 360AH nominal LiFePO4, Kohler Pro 5.2E genset.
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  • Cricket
    Cricket Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 3 ✭
    #6
    Raj174 The charger claims it is 26Amp. Is there some conversion or something I am missing?
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  • Raj174
    Raj174 Solar Expert Posts: 795 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2017 #7
    At 12 volts it is 26 amps. At 24 it is 13 amps. Sorry, I thought I remembered reading 16 amps, but I would still go with trying to do a full recharge by the end of the day. After a few days you will probably get a handle on how much power will be available for over night loads.
    4480W PV, MNE175DR-TR, MN Classic 150, Outback Radian GS4048A, Mate3, 51.2V 360AH nominal LiFePO4, Kohler Pro 5.2E genset.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #8
    The fine print givith and the fine print takith away   24V: (13 Amps in 24-Volt) 

    Which is fine if the generator runs all the time, and eventually gets the battery charged.  But to run for 6 hours, and expect the charger to top the batteries up enough for 18 hours quiet time, you need a larger charger, in the 30Ah @ 24V size
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Cricket
    Cricket Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 3 ✭
    #9
    What would you suggest Mike? I can easily return this charger locally and pick up or order something more useful.
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  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #10
    Mike is absolutely right, trying to charge with such a small charger is an exercise in futility, been there done that, it's a world of difference having a charger that can push about  10-13% capacity, in your case ~ 25-30A here is an example https://www.solar-electric.com/samlex-sec-2425ul-25a-24vdc-battery-charger.html there are others.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
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