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integrating new battery
By Chuck, Section Homebrewed Electricity Posted on Thu Aug 14th, 2003 at 02:40:46 PM MST
requesting opinions

Having recently aquired a second set of batteries, identical to my first set, I'm now a bit confused as to what to do with them. My wiring setup is shown roughly in the diagram below.

The question would be, what would be the best use of resources in integrating this battery into the system? I should point out that the sb3048 cuts off pv when the batteries are charged. I'd like to recover that lost power into a dump load at some point. Currently, the dump load only covers the small wind generator (around 400 watts or so). I also expect to put up a wind genny that puts out 1 or more kw, so more dump loads at that point.
The easy thing would be to put it in parallel with the other battery. I'm not sure that's the best solution. Anyone have any ideas that might be better than that ? The end result will be supplying all our house and shop electricity.
Chuck

integrating new battery | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: integrating new battery (none / 0) (#1)
by Seth on Thu Aug 14th, 2003 at 03:34:35 PM MST
(User Info)

use a C60 as a load diversion to the new bank

Trying to move my solar pannels is fun.

Re: integrating new battery (none / 0) (#2)
by jubalearly on Thu Aug 14th, 2003 at 04:12:58 PM MST
(User Info)

I think putting it in parallel is the best thing to do. I don't like having new batteries in parallel with older ones without isolation. The C60 idea would isolate it, but it doesn't guarantee that the new bank will ever charge fully (not as the dump load). You want them charged full to avoid sulfation.
If they aren't isolated, the bank with the highest voltage will waste some power trying to equalize voltages with the other bank. They might well see-saw & waste a lot of power alternately trying to charge each other up. If they are closely matched, this may not be a problem. Or it may not be any worse than an isolation diode would be.
I'd set it up with a C60 to charge it in parallel with the other bank, but not as a dump load. Add another dump load, or rewire to feed more dump loads with both sources. If you are doubling the battery capacity, maybe you won't need a dump load, you can just use more power for something...........

Re: integrating new battery (none / 0) (#4)
by Chuck on Fri Aug 15th, 2003 at 08:51:43 AM MST
(User Info) http://home.morrisonprairie.com

Yes, these are the kinds of things that have been running through my mind. I may try several different configurations before I decide on a permanent one. I would like to isolate the two from each other, yet charge them from the same source(s) and discharge them to the same inverter.

So how big do they make diodes anyway ?

Chuck

[ Parent ]

Re: integrating new battery (none / 0) (#6)
by nasher on Sat Aug 16th, 2003 at 01:31:38 AM MST
(User Info)

well the bigest diode i have ever seen is about the size of a small car... no clue what it was raited for but im sure they could have gone smaller somehow..

[ Parent ]

Re: integrating new battery (none / 0) (#3)
by Reno on Fri Aug 15th, 2003 at 06:16:01 AM MST
(User Info)

Getting off topic
I noticed you use a booster off the genny
can you ellaborate on it. i have been working
on one and have come to a design using a NSC LM2478.
Also was thinking of using a relay to put in/out of
circuit so it is only used for low winds.
If preferable start another thread on it.
Thanks.

Re: integrating new battery (none / 0) (#5)
by Chuck on Fri Aug 15th, 2003 at 09:05:14 AM MST
(User Info) http://home.morrisonprairie.com

I debated putting that gizmo on the diagram, but what the heck, it's in the system.

The booster is something I'm playing with to see how it works. I rebuilt the generator with a 12 volt system in mind, but ended up with a 24 volt battery. So it takes a lot of wind to bring it to cut in (around 300 rpm) and even though we get good stiff breezes, it was rare to get much from it and slightly scary too.

I was thinking about building something, but don't have the time and wasn't sure I'd save any money doing it.

So I bought Boston Mountain's extractor-max on ebay to see how it would work. The jury is still out on it as I haven't measured what kind of current it's passing. It does bump up the voltage, and gets a little warm when it does it. I can watch the battery voltage climb when it's running, so I'm getting something, I just don't know how much yet.

Sorry I can't tell you more. Maybe after a few weeks...

Chuck

[ Parent ]

integrating new battery | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 editorial)

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