My proposed electrical plan for my expedition camper. Comments would be appreciated
- Thread starter Fatboyz
- Start date
dwh
Tail-End Charlie
Most lead-acid bstteries are basically the same chemistry experiment in a plastic box and charge exactly the same.
But there are a few exceptions...
If the manufacturer made a sloshy battery with removable caps (FLA), they often recommend a bit lower charge voltage (i.e., 14.4v) to minimize water loss. But the same 14.7v-14.8v often recommended for sealed batteries with fiberglass mats between the plates (AGM) will actually charge the FLA battery better and faster and keep it healthier...but will use more water and will need to be topped off more often.
If they made a sealed battery with a gelling agent added to the electrolyte (GEL), they often recommend not to exceed 14.2v as sustained heating can break down the gelling agent.
If you set the chargers to the recommended specs for the FLA GC batteries, it won't hurt a FLA or AGM engine battery. But it might be above the recommended voltage for a GEL engine battery.
It might also be a bit below the recommended voltage for an AGM engine battery...which is pretty much irrelevant since the engine battery is almost never drawn down enough to notice and is almost always fully charged, so any little extra topoff from the solar, or inverter/charger won't really make any difference.
As long as they are roughly the same in terms of required charge voltage (FLA and AGM are, GEL isn't), it's good to go.
Different age, type, size, etc. is irrelevant if they are only tied during charging.
But there are a few exceptions...
If the manufacturer made a sloshy battery with removable caps (FLA), they often recommend a bit lower charge voltage (i.e., 14.4v) to minimize water loss. But the same 14.7v-14.8v often recommended for sealed batteries with fiberglass mats between the plates (AGM) will actually charge the FLA battery better and faster and keep it healthier...but will use more water and will need to be topped off more often.
If they made a sealed battery with a gelling agent added to the electrolyte (GEL), they often recommend not to exceed 14.2v as sustained heating can break down the gelling agent.
If you set the chargers to the recommended specs for the FLA GC batteries, it won't hurt a FLA or AGM engine battery. But it might be above the recommended voltage for a GEL engine battery.
It might also be a bit below the recommended voltage for an AGM engine battery...which is pretty much irrelevant since the engine battery is almost never drawn down enough to notice and is almost always fully charged, so any little extra topoff from the solar, or inverter/charger won't really make any difference.
As long as they are roughly the same in terms of required charge voltage (FLA and AGM are, GEL isn't), it's good to go.
Different age, type, size, etc. is irrelevant if they are only tied during charging.
Good information! Thanks very much. I'm at the point in my build where I will be starting to do all the main wiring. I have all the solar panels and inverter/charger, but haven't pulled the trigger on the solar charge control or ACR. Also need to do an Amazon order for all the buss blocks, fuse, fuse block, wire and lugs.
DiploStrat
Expedition Leader
One small detail on inverters. Consider whether you need a low frequency/big iron inverter or whether the high frequency Xantrax will be adequate.
This is advertising, but the basic information is correct.
www.magnum-dimensions.com
This is advertising, but the basic information is correct.
Inversion Methods Explained: High Frequency vs Low Frequency | Magnum Dimensions
Understand the difference between high frequency and low frequency inverters with this quick article.
One small detail on inverters. Consider whether you need a low frequency/big iron inverter or whether the high frequency Xantrax will be adequate.
This is advertising, but the basic information is correct.
Inversion Methods Explained: High Frequency vs Low Frequency | Magnum Dimensions
Understand the difference between high frequency and low frequency inverters with this quick article.
220, 221 whatever it takes! (Think back to the Michael Keeton movie "Mr. mom). I really had no idea there were different types. I bought the Xantrex because of a little reading and a few youtube RV videos, ease of installation. I got a good deal on it through a friend who works at a car dealership with an RV dept. We will only be using it to run a TV, and charge phones. I only have 2- 110 volt lights in the truck.
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DiploStrat
Expedition Leader
Where is the best location for the cutoff switch? Should it be just between the hot wire from the batteries to my 12 volt fuse block. That way all loads are disconnected from the batteries?
Thanks. Just starting the wiring into the fuse box etc.