charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?

James
James Solar Expert Posts: 250 ✭✭
Hello folks.

I should know the answer to this question, but please help me out here.
i'm planning on putting together a small trailer to be used as a light duty portable power source.

It will have a small propane fueled generator and a small PV array sized about 400 watts.
Since I already have the generator, a 12 volt 2K watt inverter, and 12 volt agm batteries, all i need to buy is the PV panels and charge controller.

Now, here is my question;
can a 12 battery be charged by 24 volt PV panels, using a MPPT controller?

I'm finding the 12 volt PV panels cost way more per watt than 24 volt panels.
Is there a controller that will work this way or am I not thinking this out correctly?

If this confiration will work, would I be wasting available wattage generated by the panels?
thank you

Comments

  • inetdog
    inetdog Solar Expert Posts: 3,123 ✭✭✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?
    James wrote: »
    ...
    ...
    Now, here is my question;
    can a 12 battery be charged by 24 volt PV panels, using a MPPT controller?

    I'm finding the 12 volt PV panels cost way more per watt than 24 volt panels.
    Is there a controller that will work this way or am I not thinking this out correctly?

    If this confiration will work, would I be wasting available wattage generated by the panels?
    thank you
    You have found the strongest argument for using an MPPT controller. Grid tie panels with Vmp even higher than needed for a 24 volt battery are even cheaper than nominal 24V battery charging panels and putting panels in series reduces wiring costs.
    You will not be wasting any panel power except to the extent that the conversion efficiency of the MPPT CC goes down slightly as the ratio of panel to battery voltage increases.
    SMA SB 3000, old BP panels.
  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?

    Yes a 12 Volt battery can be charged from '24 Volt' panels using an MPPT type controller.

    Wait 'til you see the price of said controller; the 'more expensive 12 Volt panels' suddenly look cheap.

    The flipping point is around 400 Watts: that's when GT style panels @ $1 per Watt + MPPT controller become more economical than 'standard' panels & PWM.
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?
    James wrote: »
    Now, here is my question;
    can a 12 battery be charged by 24 volt PV panels, using a MPPT controller?

    Perfect fit--No problems (assuming size of array+controller are within specifications).
    I'm finding the 12 volt PV panels cost way more per watt than 24 volt panels.
    Is there a controller that will work this way or am I not thinking this out correctly?

    The $64,000 question... "Cheap" GT panels + expensive MPPT charge controller. Or "Expensive" "12 volt" panels and cheap PWM controller.

    Do a couple paper designs and see what works out best for you (MPPT controllers are going to have more options/programbility/options than the less expensive PWM controllers).

    Take a look at these MPPT units and see if any are of interest to you:

    http://www.roguepowertech.com/products/controllers.htm
    MidNite Solar The Kid Charge Controllers and Accessories
    Morningstar SunSaver 15 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller
    Morningstar TriStar 30 amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller
    If this confiration will work, would I be wasting available wattage generated by the panels?
    thank you

    MPPT controllers will work fine and efficiently... Just depends if MPPT controllers are "efficient enough" for your wallet.

    Other than the ability to use "GT Vmp rated" panels (>>Vmp~17.5 volts for 12 volt battery bank), they do not have any special to offer a small/self contained system over PWM (over basic functionality).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • jcheil
    jcheil Solar Expert Posts: 722 ✭✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?

    Go with the MPPT controller. It will give you more flexibility in the future when you expand (and you WILL expand - it's addicting).
    Off-Grid in Central Florida since 2005, Full-Time since June 2014 | 12 X Sovello 205w panels, 9 X ToPoint 220w panels, 36x ToPoint 225w panels (12,525 watts total) | Custom built single-axis ground mounts | Complete FP2 Outback System: 3 x FM80, 2 x VFX3648, X240 Transformer, FLEXnet-DC, Mate-3, Hub-10, FW500 AC/DC | 24 x Trojan L16RE-B Batteries 1110ah @ 48v | Honda EU7000is Generator and a pile of "other" Generators | Home-Made PVC solar hot water collector | Custom data logging software http://www.somewhatcrookedcamp.com/monitormate.html
  • James
    James Solar Expert Posts: 250 ✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?

    thanks folks, and yes i will expand, but not the trailer. with the lower panel costs these days, it looks inviting.
    But it still hurts a littlke when I think of what we were all paying 10 years ago!
  • TucsonAZ
    TucsonAZ Solar Expert Posts: 139 ✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?
    BB. wrote: »
    Take a look at these MPPT units and see if any are of interest to you:

    http://www.roguepowertech.com/products/controllers.htm

    MPPT controllers will work fine and efficiently... Just depends if MPPT controllers are "efficient enough" for your wallet.

    -Bill

    With 400 watts I would go with the above cc and the 24v panels. I will quickly do the math based on the research I've just done.

    400w x $1.15 (cheapest I've found per watt based on Renogy panels after shipping) = $460
    Quality PWM = $150

    Total for your 400w not accounting for the lost power due to the PWM is $610 or $1.52/watt

    460w x $0.69 (I just bought either 230w Solarworld panels at this price) = $318
    Rogue MPPT = $250 (I just spoke with Marc, great guy to deal with)

    Total for your 460w is $568 or $1.18/watt

    That's a no brainer to me and will leave you with a far better system in the end.
  • elesaver
    elesaver Solar Expert Posts: 185 ✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?
    460w x $0.69 (I just bought either 230w Solarworld panels at this price) = $318
    Rogue MPPT = $250 (I just spoke with Marc, great guy to deal with)

    Total for your 460w is $568 or $1.18/watt

    If you're able, would you post the site for solarworld panels at this price? Thanks.
    1st system:  24Vsystem with 8 X 300W panels, Midnite Solar combiner box, Midnite Solar mini-dc disconnect, Midnite Solar Classic 150, Outback VFX 3524 with mate, 2 X 12V  fforklift batteries in series 938 aH,  (Outback PSX transformer, Honda EU3000is...not currently hooked up but available if/when needed)

    2nd system:  24V system with 4 X 310W panels, Midnite Solar combiner box, Midnite Solar mini-dc disconnect, Midnite Solar Classic 200, Cotek 1500W pure sine inverter, Trojan 125 batteries (8 available but "currently" using 4)

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?

    Our host has Solarworld at even less (currently ~$1.03 to $1.10 per Watt--None of us moderators work for Northern Arizona Wind & Sun, we are just volunteers here):

    http://www.solar-electric.com/hiposopa.html

    However--make sure you have the costs delivered to your front door (o truck dock/local store)--Taxes, shipping, insurance, and handling for solar panels (especially for those >~140 Watts, and less than full pallets) can be eye opening.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?

    Bill;

    The panel only price was $0.69 per Watt, which is less than NAWS current price. The $1.18 per Watt was total for the array with the Rogue controller.
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?

    Sorry--I missed that.

    Anyway, watch shipping charges--Can easily add 50% to the panel price when buying less than a pallet load at a time.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • elesaver
    elesaver Solar Expert Posts: 185 ✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?
    The panel only price was $0.69 per Watt, which is less than NAWS current price.

    I was looking for the site with this price/watt on panels. I had checked NAWS first since I'd like to buy from them since they are kind enough to sponsor this forum.
    1st system:  24Vsystem with 8 X 300W panels, Midnite Solar combiner box, Midnite Solar mini-dc disconnect, Midnite Solar Classic 150, Outback VFX 3524 with mate, 2 X 12V  fforklift batteries in series 938 aH,  (Outback PSX transformer, Honda EU3000is...not currently hooked up but available if/when needed)

    2nd system:  24V system with 4 X 310W panels, Midnite Solar combiner box, Midnite Solar mini-dc disconnect, Midnite Solar Classic 200, Cotek 1500W pure sine inverter, Trojan 125 batteries (8 available but "currently" using 4)

  • jimindenver
    jimindenver Solar Expert Posts: 59 ✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?
    TucsonAZ wrote: »
    t


    Rogue MPPT = $250 (I just spoke with Marc, great guy to deal with)


    Where did you find the Rogue for $250? The cheapest I can find the 30a version is $350.

    I am still using the $100 Eco-worthy 20a MPPT controller I did a thread on here a few years back. It's still going and I bought a second to run a pair of 245w panels for 32a+ into one bank. The reason I'm considering upgrading is the need for RTS and voltage sense for mounting on the RV.
  • TucsonAZ
    TucsonAZ Solar Expert Posts: 139 ✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?
    elesaver wrote: »
    If you're able, would you post the site for solarworld panels at this price? Thanks.

    I did a ton of research on this, made a lot of calls and found a supply house locally that had the 230w panels as left over stock that got lost in their inventory once people started using the 250w and now 300w panels. They had 16 of them, of which I bought 8 and they'd joked about them having been there for eternity. I think their cost was actually $0.90 a watt back in the day and the sales manager had to get approval to sell them to me at $0.69 a watt but they were happy to have some of them gone. They won't ship but for anybody local and interested feel free to PM me for the contact info.
    Where did you find the Rogue for $250? The cheapest I can find the 30a version is $350.

    I was talking about the 2024, he said 400 watts so I just used two of my 230 watt panels as a reference point and the 2024 should be fine with 460 watts at 24v, based on the specs of my panels anyway.
  • jimindenver
    jimindenver Solar Expert Posts: 59 ✭✭
    Re: charging 12 volt battery from 24 volt panel?

    Ok now I understand. My 20 amp controller is the same, 300w @ 12v and 600w @ 24v. I'd need the 30a for my panels flat mounted.
  • chelliet
    chelliet Registered Users Posts: 2
    Hello,
     I'm interested in buying 3- 320w PV panels, 24v. (Higher watts, lower prices) with a mttp controller. I also want to add a wind turbine 400/500/600w 12/24v. Is this possible?  Approx. 1.5kw ?  I plan on going full time rv living

    My RV is currently running a 12-volt system. Microwave, coffee pot, 3way frig, Coleman roof ac. Full bath, kitchen, electric bed. TV, DVD, computer,  phone and charging.

    My Generac propane generator is 30 amps.

    Inverter is a Heart; Input-12v dc, 120 amps max. Output- 120v AC 60 hertz, 1200 watts, duty cycle 15 minutes on min., 22 minutes at 750 Watts. 750 watts continuous.

    Parallax converter charger. Series 7400.  Input. 105-130 vac, 60 hz,  975 watts.  Output 13.6vd , 55 amps.
    (Includes charging and load)

    I currently have 2 - 12v batteries but want to add 2 more.

    Based on this information, can you confirm if this is will work. Also, can you suggest which charge controller that will work with wind and solar? I'm definitely interested in allowing for more space to upgrade later on. Therefore a decent charge controller is what I'm looking for at a reasonable price that would occur of course work appropriately.
    Thanks ...Michele
  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
     Chilliet, welcome to the forum.
     Don't waste your money on any wind turbine. Their proper performance requires they be mounted 30 - 40 feet above any obstacles within hundreds of feet away, and be permanently mounted. That can't be done with a mobile RV. If you did mount it attached to your RV the vibration/resonance would  drive you mad.
     Run your fridge on propane or shore power. You will need, at a very minimum, 4 new healthy 6 volt golf cart batteries. You would need to be very frugal with your power consumption to live full time with this minimum bank. If you can find room , larger capacity, i.e.; L-16 type batteries would serve you better. Don't mix old and new batteries, you'll be replacing ALL of them sooner than you'd think.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2017 #18
    IMO, keeping functional old batteries in place as a parallel string with new batteries and charging the combination based on the state of the new batteries has a positive (less DOD), not negative effect on the new batteries.   Even better if you measure balance and adjust it with cable lengths (offsetting the difference in internal resistance).

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    jonr said:
    IMO, keeping functional old batteries in place as a parallel string with new batteries and charging the combination based on the state of the new batteries has a positive (less DOD), not negative effect on the new batteries.   Even better if you measure balance and adjust it with cable lengths.
    Not exactly following you on that statement, connecting new and  old batteries in parallel being a positive effect, kind of goes against most scientific evidence to the contrary, the general consensus is that the new battery will be drawn down to the level of the old and suffer a premature demise.
    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.
  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    OK, show me this evidence.  When would the old be drawing down the new?

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2017 #21
    jonr said:
    OK, show me this evidence.  When would the old be drawing down the new?
    Sorry was thinking in terms of series, did some research and it appears you are correct, with the exception of differing cable lengths, at least according to the information provided in attached Pdf. Combining  used and new batteries in parallel would be similar to using ones of different capacity in parallel.
    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.
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    As batteries age, they loose capacity and their internal resistance increases.

    What that means:
    In Series, the Old batteries deplete first and can then be reverse charged, which will kill them in a day or two,
    in Parallel, the New batteries, with their lower IR, do much more than 50% of the work, and are thus aged much faster till they are as bad as the original batteries, THEN they start to share the loads.  This happens over a period of time, 4-10 weeks.
    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 ,

  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2017 #23
    Why does this new battery that is sharing some load with the old battery (even on day 1), age faster than a new battery that has nothing to share load with?

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    This is going off on a tangent from the original subject, perhaps it's best to keep on track with the original question, all input considered, a seperate discussion would be  benificial to all with questions related to mixing old and new batteries used together, but I'm sure this is not a new topic.
    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.
  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Being as the original post is almost 3 years old, and Chilliet hadn't started ca new post I don't think we're straying too far off tangent.
     Jonr, Part of the problem lies with old batteries have reduced capacity. Adding new batteries to them, with their larger capacity will cause the new batteries to be undercharged as the reduced capacity batteries will be fully charged sooner, leaving the new batteries not getting fully charged. The cumulative effect as time goes on is detrimental to the new batteries which for the most part never get fully charged.  People mix new and old batteries all the time. That doesn't make it right and more than likely these mixed battery banks aren't going to get proper care and maintenance anyway. Personally I won't do it, especially to save a few bucks on a fresh RV design.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Good catch, didn't realize the post was so old, the welcome to the forum in post#17 threw me off, wish posters would start a new thread instead of tethering to an old post.....rant over.
    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.
  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    As I said, "charging the combination based on the state of the new batteries" - so they get fully charged.   And of course both parallel strings always see the same voltage.

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
    jonr said:
    As I said, "charging the combination based on the state of the new batteries" - so they get fully charged.   And of course both parallel strings always see the same voltage.

    Is this something you do manually? How do you monitor the differences? The only true way is with a hydrometer. Then do you disconnect the old string while the new string is finishing bulk charging, then reconnect both for absorb, again for float? Sounds like a lot of unnecessary work for the cost of a couple more batteries. Meanwhile I'd rather be out exploring instead of messing around with my batteries. Each to their own I guess.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2017 #29
    You should always adjust charging parameters based on hydrometer results (ie, that is what I was referring to with "state").  No disconnecting needed.

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development