Electrical Newbie

[dj2109]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for reading my post.

Was wondering if anyone had a good schematic on the entire AC electrical system?

I'm attempting to use a 100amp breaker panel but can't seem to find anything concise and thorough enough for my needs.

I have six 100ah AGM batteries, six 250w solar panels, a 3000 watt inverter, 60amp solar charge controller, 40amp alternator isolator, etc.

I have NO IDEA what I'm doing but have read countless blogs, forums, watched youtube and still have NO IDEA what I'm doing.

ANY help is much appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

[Doktari]

There are two free ebooks from Victron Energy on electrical that have a lot drawings and clearly written instructions for energy systems. They are called Energy unlimited and Wiring Unlimited.
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...limited-EN.pdf
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...limited-EN.pdf

[dj2109]

Great resource!!! Thank you

[kazetsukai]

Originally Posted by dj2109

I'm attempting to use a 100amp breaker panel but can't seem to find anything concise and thorough enough for my needs.

I have six 100ah AGM batteries, six 250w solar panels, a 3000 watt inverter, 60amp solar charge controller, 40amp alternator isolator, etc.

If your breaker panel is a split phase panel, you will need a split phase inverter (one with two "hots", each 110V that combine for 220V) to properly wire it.


If you can link your breaker panel/load center and your inverter models I can tell you if they are going to be compatible.

[kazetsukai]

Originally Posted by dj2109

I have ... six 250w solar panels ... 60amp solar charge controller,

Also: Six 250w panels = 1500W. If you are planning a 12V system, 1500W / 12V = 125A, which is above what your charge controller will support. At 60A * 12V it is current limited to 720W.


If you wire your batteries in 24V configuration, the 60A charge controller (assuming it supports 24V) will charge up to 1440W, which is close enough to your maximum. To power 12V devices you will need a step-down transformer.


Alternatively, you could acquire another 60A charge controller and tie both of them to the same solar panel array / battery bank for 120A total charge current capacity. 120A * 12V = 1440W which is also close enough to your total solar panel input.


Neither of these scenarios are ideal, as your charge current capacity is just over 100%. Assuming the charge controller supports it, a 48V battery bank is an option (60A * 48V = 2880W) but assuming each AGM battery is 12V, there's no way to evenly wire them all into a 48V configuration.


To get the most out of your system you will need some additional components, given that my assumptions of 12V batteries are correct.



Please, if you have any questions or want help planning this out, feel free to ask.

[dj2109]

I will post pics when I get home.

So you’re saying I need a charge controller over 125amps?

[kazetsukai]

Originally Posted by dj2109

I will post pics when I get home.

So you’re saying I need a charge controller over 125amps?

Yes if you want a 12V system. As it is, your charge controller will support up to 720W with a 12V battery bank, and it will charge at up to that rate from your 1500W of solar.


My personal opinion is that past 1200W charge/discharge, a 24V battery bank is certainly worth looking at, and past 2400W charge/discharge, a 48V battery bank is worth looking at. This means stepping down to 12V for those appliances and a 24V or 48V inverter, however.


Not everyone agrees with me on that, and those might not be options that work well for you at this point. The right solution is one that fits your needs, and is likely the path of least hassle/resistance.



If you'd like to have a real time conversation about this stuff, feel free to PM me and I can pass on my details as to answer any questions of yours.

[kazetsukai]

From our conversation:


24V -> 12V step down converter, you'd wire in your 12V fuse panel downstream of this:
https://www.amazon.com/Cllena-Conver.../dp/B07B4HLLWJ


A Victron 150V/70A charge controller that would support up to 1680W at 24V:

https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Smart...141081&sr=8-13


You can also separate the Inverter and Charger, you don't need a single appliance to do both. For example there are chargers up near 100A:
https://www.amazon.com/PowerMax-PM4-.../dp/B01ER3LH5W


Its probably easier to find a good charger and a good inverter than finding a good inverter/charger, but that's me. And I have my preferences on inverters, let me tell you. I can make some recommendations there.


It would be good for you to start a build thread so that you can get your thoughts out "on paper", track your own progress, and get feedback. One thing missing from this thread is what you hope to accomplish (power) with solar.


One thing you might benefit from is to focus on solving the DC problem first (batteries + solar + grid charging) then add the inverter a little later once the DC side is bulletproof. All in one go is certainly possible, but it may cause some confusion.


Also, don't forget the safety devices - the DC fuse panel is good, make sure you have some properly rated DC breakers / switches so that you can disconnect things safely and protect your equipment.



Feel free to reach out any time here or to me directly, I'll do my best to give good advice.

[bubb, the real one]

do a search for bubb, my builds site, what you have purchased is similar to my purchases, I have a few pictures as well

[JDOnTheGo]

This page contains a diagram of my electrical system.

[Doktari]

I’d suggest reading the free ebooks I linked. Try to get the whole picture rather than fragments of the picture. They carefully explain and illustrate what charge controller works with what battery, panel,inverter, etc. “Sizing” is a huge part of designing a system.