Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries

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rss2q
rss2q Solar Expert Posts: 75 ✭✭✭✭
in Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum #1
Attached is a simple block diagram of my current problem I'm trying to figure out.

Basically, I have a 36v battery, and then I have 2x 12v batteries hooked up in series to create 24v.

Now what I need help with is, what do I need to charge each one of these batteries correctly? I'm looking for a simple setup if possible. More than 1 charge controller may be needed, I don't know, but the picture should give you an idea of what I'm trying to accomplish.

Thanks
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries

    sorry, but you will need 2 separate controllers for this.

    even if the batteries were all identical and you wanted to use something like the classic to charge them all at once by putting them all in series that this won't work due to unequal loads presented to each battery bank.
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  • rss2q
    rss2q Solar Expert Posts: 75 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries
    niel wrote: »
    sorry, but you will need 2 separate controllers for this.

    even if the batteries were all identical and you wanted to use something like the classic to charge them all at once by putting them all in series that this won't work due to unequal loads presented to each battery bank.

    Yeah that's what I thought. However, I didn't find many 36v charge controllers. Can you recommend any basic controllers? It doesn't have to be a MPPT or some really advance tons of features controller, but something to just get the job done of charging my batteries, preventing the back flow of current...etc.

    Thanks!
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries

    not too many of the cheap controllers will do 36v, but this pwm will do it,
    http://www.solar-electric.com/trts12vochco.html
    as would many (but not all) mppt controllers.
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  • rss2q
    rss2q Solar Expert Posts: 75 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries
    niel wrote: »
    not too many of the cheap controllers will do 36v, but this pwm will do it,
    http://www.solar-electric.com/trts12vochco.html
    as would many (but not all) mppt controllers.

    Thanks. Maybe you can clear up something that I'm misunderstanding, I've ran into that controller before, but it only lists 12, 24, 48v, but my system is 36v. I was just wondering how you knew it would work for 36v even though it's not listed in the system voltages that it handles?

    I'm guessing it's due to the fact that it can work with 48v systems, however, will it think that my battery should be 48v and try to charge it to 48v, which of course would probably mess up the battery?:roll:

    Thanks
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  • rss2q
    rss2q Solar Expert Posts: 75 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries

    Update: After re-reading the description, I see it stated that it can be setup with a DIP switch, however, I'm not sure what a DIP switch is or how to hook that up :p.

    I'll Google some more on that, but if you can, as I'd like to buy that from Wind Sun to help support this forum, point me in the right direction on how to go about hooking this up for my 36v system...meaning what other components are necessary.
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  • dwh
    dwh Solar Expert Posts: 1,341 ✭✭✭
    #7
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries
    rss2q wrote: »
    Update: After re-reading the description, I see it stated that it can be setup with a DIP switch, however, I'm not sure what a DIP switch is or how to hook that up :p.

    It's a switch on the unit that sets the configuration. Lots of devices have them.

    http://www.google.com/search?q=dip%20switch&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1366&bih=622
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  • rss2q
    rss2q Solar Expert Posts: 75 ✭✭✭✭
    #8
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries
    dwh wrote: »
    It's a switch on the unit that sets the configuration. Lots of devices have them.

    http://www.google.com/search?q=dip%20switch&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1366&bih=622

    Wait, so this switch is actually on the charge controller that niel linked me to?

    I know my motor controller has a DIP switch on it, so if so, then I understand now. I'm assuming the manual included with the charge controller will tell you what switch configuration you need to set it up for 36v?

    Thanks
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  • Slappy
    Slappy Solar Expert Posts: 251 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #9
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries

    Other battery chemistries such as NiCad, or special voltages such as 36V, can
    be charged using a custom charging algorithm modified with the PC
    software. Only the standard TriStar battery charging programs will be
    discussed here........got this from the manual, section 9.0 on the tristar manual.

    http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/support/library/TS.IOM.Operators_Manual.04.EN.pdf

    you can use "msview" and a computer to set the custom settings. 36volt is an "odd ball" set up.
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  • rss2q
    rss2q Solar Expert Posts: 75 ✭✭✭✭
    #10
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries
    Slappy wrote: »

    you can use "msview" and a computer to set the custom settings. 36volt is an "odd ball" set up.

    Yeah I'm starting to see that. I wish someone made a controller that was not super complicated to setup for a 36v battery. I even searched Google and haven't had much luck finding a controller that is dedicated for 36v batteries.
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  • rss2q
    rss2q Solar Expert Posts: 75 ✭✭✭✭
    #11
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries

    Here is a charge controller that is made specially for 36v batteries: http://www.altestore.com/store/Charge-Controllers/Solar-Charge-Controllers/MPPT-Solar-Charge-Controllers/Solar-Converters-Charge-Controllers/Solar-Converters-PT-36-5A-36V-MPPT-Charge-Controller/p1380/

    What do you think about this?
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #12
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    Re: Need Suggestions For Charging A Group of Batteries
    rss2q wrote: »
    Here is a charge controller that is made specially for 36v batteries: http://www.altestore.com/store/Charge-Controllers/Solar-Charge-Controllers/MPPT-Solar-Charge-Controllers/Solar-Converters-Charge-Controllers/Solar-Converters-PT-36-5A-36V-MPPT-Charge-Controller/p1380/

    What do you think about this?

    It's only a 5 A controller, from a mfg, that I know nothing about. If you really need 36V, and can't upgrade to 48, then it may do the job.
    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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