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Thanks big time for the good advice. I can see I was going to far exceed the C Rating. Old age is taking its toll on me - I often tell friends I played with too much Lead and Mercury when I was a kid. Lol

I understand the sacrifice regarding the new battery being added. Generally speaking I often hear 'don't do it' like its a really bad thing. Appreciate the comments.

Assuming two (2) 12v 100AH LiFePO4 RICH SOLAR batteries wired in Parallel: What is the best way to monitor each battery separately for condition over the long term? I'm concerned that one battery would eventually develop problems and I would only be seeing the 'combined total' with the Victron...

Renogy confirmed the 32F lower operating limit. They also said attempting to charge below 32 could result in it not accepting a charge and/or damage. They suggested I purchase battery heating pads. I didn't think about it at the time but now - 'Operating Range' obviously means do not charge...

An automated means on how to protect Lead Acid batteries (no on-board BMS) from deep discharge. ie: Inverters that only shutdown at 9.5V. Thanks

I'm curious how others manage their portable Inverters (ie: RICH Solar PSW RS-V2000). For example, assume Grid down and a modern Refrigerator is on the Inverter - and the AGM batteries reach their minimum SoS and continue discharging for whatever reason (doesn't matter here) and there is no LVD...

Great information. Thank yall

The existing system is three 12V 200AH in Parallel. I'm doing some system changes and want to go to four batteries in a 2S2P configuration providing 24V 400AH. I was using the described scenario to try to better understand simply because replacing three $350 batteries that are still perfectly...

I certainly understand the purpose of properly fusing the Battery bank positive but my question is in regard to the effect that might have on a Charge Controller(s) if the fuse opened. Do all Controllers fail if the Solar Panels are on-line with the Controller de-energized (from the Battery)...

Hello. I am going to try to help a neighbor that already has sort of a piecemeal system that needs some serious TLC. They are on a very tight budget (he is a retired Vietnam era Green Beret) so I'm going to do my best to help pro bono. To begin: They have one 1000W 12V Solar Array split into...

Very good, thanks.

Really appreciate the help, thanks.

The RS-V2000 does a shutdown at 10.2V but by then the AGM's are at 0 volts. The AC feed to the Refrig slowly going from 120 to 0 is going to wreck it IMO. The Inverter Op Manual says to be sure the loads are disconnected before startup. Sounds like a wreck waiting to happen, thats why I am...

I researched a few Controller Instruction Manuals - and I've decided the energizing sequence may be Brand/Type specific. I'm currently trying to help a neighbor make 'what they bought work' and the cheap PWM Controllers specifically state to energize from the batteries first (or suffer the...

Thanks time2roll. After some research I'm surprised that many better quality Inverters likewise disconnect at a fixed 9.5V. That leaves the AGM Battery user without protection! Sure quality batteries with integral BMS take care of themselves but many people don't want to put that kind of...

Just looked at the RENOGY ROVER ELITE 40A MPPT and it states (Quote) NEVER connect the Array to the Controller without a battery. BATTERY must be connected first. Interesting...

I was an Industrial Electrician for most of my life and we had many really large battery banks that required routine monitoring and testing on a per/cell basis. So naturally when I see Solar Battery Banks - my first question is how do users determine when a particular battery starts being a...

Good point. Maybe the RICH is a bad choice because the auto shutdown (10.2V) is below 0 volts on the AGM batteries.

Agreed. But at the point of auto-disconnect the Refrig has to have suffered. I'm sure the Inverter can't boost the out to 120v if the input is at 20vdc and declining for example.

In Texas. Below zero is a bad choice of words on my part. My AGM chart says 11.5V = 0 volts, so actually the 10.2V disconnect will never be reached in theory.

Sorry, 0%.

Understood. The Solar power world is new to me so I can see I've got some research to do. Too bad these manufacturers tech support people seem to disappear after the sale. Thanks for everyone's comments.

Thanks everyone. I know I over-analyze everything but I can't grasp how the Inverter can output 120V ~600W when the AGM batteries are nearing 0% and the disconnect still has not activated. It must being pulling HARD on the remaining battery. I'm just trying to learn how not to cook and $2500...

I've been trying to understand battery charging and SoS a little better. I keep running into articles that say Do Not Equalize AGM batteries, but then looking at the Renogy 12V 200Ah AGM datasheet it says to Equalize at 14.2V. Secondly, a typical SCC will have settings for the battery(s) that...

Scenario: Combining batteries of a different age. If I have four AGM 12V 200AH batteries that are 3 years old and one fails - what will be the issue with replacing only the one other than shortening its life a bit? Assume the group has been taken good care of in regard to Charging, DoD...

I commonly see references to using a Power Resistor or Lamp for the initial powerup of an Inverter. Is there any real benefit other than reducing inrush? Secondly, what does the very short duration inrush hurt? Thanks

Ref: 4ea 12V 200AH batteries. If I wire each pair in Series and then the two groups in Parallel to get 24V 400AH will they need balancing? If yes, how please? Is that configuration correctly referred to as 2S2P for short? Thanks for the help again.

I agree, that is likely a backdoor way to get out of a warranty claim. That spec is ridiculous considering they want off-grid mountain cabin customers... buyer beware.

The Renogy 12V 200AH Battery data sheet states Operating Temp is 32-122F. The Ambient Temp extremes here are 15 Deg (rarely) to 105 DegF. The batteries are outside but protected from the weather in a ventilated enclosure. Can someone help me understand the result of charging below 32F? I'm...

This is my plan for testing. See any holes in it? Thanks Battery: (one/test) 12V 200AH (2400Wh) AGM Monitoring Device: Victron BMV-712 Charger: Victron BlueSmart IP65 Ambient Temp: 60 – 70 DegF Charge to 100% Let it rest for 24 hours Connect to Inverter w/ 700W Electric heater Operate...