Calculating Amp and Usage Draw

[sensij]

No no, I appreciate everything you say trust me, the more responses the better

And they are for sure Lead Acid batteries...


So yea

Flooded, AGM, and Gel are all types of lead acid batteries with different charge and discharge requirements. You will need to know which you have in order to use them properly. See my edit above... how do you know they are fully charged?

[satorizero]

Flooded, AGM, and Gel are all types of lead acid batteries with different charge and discharge requirements. You will need to know which you have in order to use them properly. See my edit above... how do you know they are fully charged?

**** I feel stupid.... im almost certain Flooded. Looks like this... http://media.merchantcircle.com/4027...ycle_full.jpeg

$45 a pop, Id be shocked if they werent.

[sensij]

Ok, so going back to your probem, why are you getting fewer hours than expected. One or more of the following:

1) Loads are higher than you think. Need a watt meter to check, but rough calculations don't suggest only 4 hours of discharge.
2) Batteries are bad. Need to report voltage after fully charged, then allowed to rest a few hours. Better, buy a temperature correcting hydrometer like this one and see what you get.
3) "Parallel" wiring scheme is unbalanced, and all 300 Ah aren't available because one pair is carrying too much of the load. Included in this one could be other losses due to poor wiring, termination, etc.

[Mike90250]

No that is not what he is saying. For a battery system efficiency is 66 down to 50%

What Sunking is saying, that with a battery based system, the best efficiency you can hope for is 66%, and more typically it's best to figure at 50%. So if you had 5Kwh of loads, you need to harvest 10Kwh of electricity.

[satorizero]

Ok great, thanks guys for retracking, Ill remember the points you all made.
Ill have to come back to the forum when I get my watt meter and such
I can only conclude what you guys have as well for now, but I hope my post may help others with the info we contributed.

Open to continuation.

Maybe, sensij, how is the system so unbalanced? I thought I connected it one of the most balanced ways? (click the attachment I posted originally)

[sensij]

Ok great, thanks guys for retracking, Ill remember the points you all made.
Ill have to come back to the forum when I get my watt meter and such
I can only conclude what you guys have as well for now, but I hope my post may help others with the info we contributed.

Open to continuation.

Maybe, sensij, how is the system so unbalanced? I thought I connected it one of the most balanced ways? (click the attachment I posted originally)

I tried clicking on the attachment and it comes up invalid. Would you give it another try?

[satorizero]

(added new pic on first post, check )

So, slight switch of topic...

Wanted to ask, we have 6 100w panels..

Question: What is the best setup for the panels? series, parallel or series/parallel?

Like I said before, I think its already setup in series, because the input on the FM is over 100v, thats my only clue besides actually erecting a latter and seeing.


So anyone who responds, I would like to know as many variables and differences that you can list, so I wont have to guess (since im not a Master in Electrical Engineering - I'm actually a 6th grade drop out); this will speed up getting to the point and helping me and others who view this post.

I know one thing I read is, having higher voltage in panel output (series setup) is better for longer runs to the CC.
But I also read that higher voltage makes the CC less efficient because it has to convert it harder to get to 24v.
My natural instinct tells me that 3 strings with 2 panels each would be ideal.... but id like to know from people with experience and knowledge.
So again, please list the variables and opinions on what is better, with pros and cons, thank you <3