Spend my money!!!

Re: Spend my money!!!

As Marc/Cariboocoot says--Generic designing here often causes more confusion than clarifiation.

You have to choose a starting point. How much loads (ideal)--As this is what you really want--A system that can power your loads--Not just some of them, or worst yet, wasted $$$ on over sized system.

Or, you can pick a limitations--The maximium size battery bank (space/weight, AGM vs Flooded Cell, or even LiFePO4 for RV applications). Or roof space for solar array, etc... Then do a "rule of thumbs" design to fit that limitation.

Or, pick a "class" of system you would like:

500 WH per day (approx 40 AH @ 12 volts) to run lights, a small laptop, charge cell phone
1,000 WH per day to run above + water pump, more laptop/TV/small fan.
3,300 WH per day, more of the above plus a full size Energy Star type Refrigerator
10,000 WH per day, a full size city home with centeral heat, natural gas/propane for heating/hot water cooking/etc...

Got to start somewhere. The actual hardware and system choices to build each of the above systems is "different" and handwaving discussions about those differences when designing a generic system get real confusing real fast.

-Bill