12 to 48 help

[worbianbrownia]

Hello all,

I'm just starting out and following recommendation I'm shelling out on victron in the hope they are as good as people say. I've 2x 200w panels, a 100/50 mppt, a 100ah battery a lynx distributer and Cerbo - the cables and inverter happens next month after my next pay!

I've just watched a video of Will Prowse where he says people are still unfortunately using 12v when 48v is cheaper and better. Before I go any further I'm happy to run 48v if it is better way moving forward. What do I need to do to make my system 48v - do I need to send anything back?

Thanks. Be gentle - I'm new to this!

 

[time2roll]

How large is the inverter? Is this a mobile system with other 12v components and 12v alternator charging? Or a home system?

400w of panels alone is not a deal breaker to go 48v.

How big might the system grow?

 

[BigGun]

If that's a Victron 100/50 , they only are good for 12/24 volt

 

[mikefitz]

What do I need to do to make my system 48v - do I need to send anything back?

If you really want to go to 48 volts then send most of the stuff you have back, ( you can keep the lynx and Cebro).

What is the application, RV, shed, or what? How much power will you be consuming? How much space do you have for the solar panels? How much energy do you need to store?

12v system, practical for inverters up to 2500 watts and the best option for a RV or similar small system.
24v system , practical, for inverters up to 4000 watts, large RV or small home.
48v system, practical where high power inverters are needed, large home.

Batteries, from the start buy batteries for the system voltage, don't use 12v batteries in series.

Solar controller, check its suitable for the system voltage. A multi voltage victron, a 150/45 has a maximum solar input of 150 volts and a maximum current output of 45 amps, maximum solar watts in for a 12v system, 600 watts, for a 24v system 1200 watts, for a 48v system 2400 watts.

Victron inverters are quality products, note, are specified in volt amps, power rating in watts will be lower. Consider Victron Multiplus inverter chargers as an alternative to a inverter.

From the description of parts you have it seems that you will have a modest system, the 100Ah battery can only support a 1000 watt inverter and the 400 watts of panel will generate around 1500 watt hours on a good solar day . Thus it seems a 12v system is suitable.

 

[worbianbrownia]

Thank you all. Your answers have been great.

I didn't know of it was a future proofing thing and I was buying into a dying voltage set. Sounds like they are just different applications.

I will stick to the 12v for now then and looknat buying a 48v when it becomes more home focused (this is a shed project).

Thanks again all. Much appreciated.

 

[Dagoth Ur Does Solar]

Thank you all. Your answers have been great.

I didn't know of it was a future proofing thing and I was buying into a dying voltage set. Sounds like they are just different applications.

I will stick to the 12v for now then and looknat buying a 48v when it becomes more home focused (this is a shed project).

Thanks again all. Much appreciated.

Big advantage of higher voltages is less spent on wiring (higher voltage = less amps needed for the same wattage), and building off that, you can get much more PV input/charge rates on higher voltages.

I think a big driver for many people using 12V is stuff like RV setups where they may have a bunch of 12V appliances already.

My first system was a 12V system, and I regret not just going 48V from the get-go. For residential applications, there's not a lot of convincing reasons to go 12V/24V as opposed to 48V.

 

[Delmar]

How much power will you be consuming?

worbianbrownia as stated before you have to define exactly what you want to power, and for how long, before you can make any decisions on what to buy.

 

[time2roll]

Nothing wrong with 12v for a lamp and charge a few power tools.

 

[pollenface]

I have both 12 & 48v systems, both have their purposes.

I'm helping a friend put together a 12v system to run solely his household water pressure pump.

 

[HarryN]

You can go 24 volt right now with what you have very easily. Dramatically better than 12 volt.

 

[worbianbrownia]

You can go 24 volt right now with what you have very easily. Dramatically better than 12 volt.

Thank you - would this be as simple as going serial with my panels?

 

[HarryN]

Thank you - would this be as simple as going serial with my panels?

You would need 2 batteries in series to make it 24 volt, and then the 2 panels in series.

You will want to have your panels in series no matter the battery voltage so that they will turn on earlier in the day and run later into the afternoon.

 

[worbianbrownia]

You would need 2 batteries in series to make it 24 volt, and then the 2 panels in series.

You will want to have your panels in series no matter the battery voltage so that they will turn on earlier in the day and run later into the afternoon.

Thank you. This is very appreciated. Good to know for my next steps.

 

[HarryN]

Thank you. This is very appreciated. Good to know for my next steps.

Also make sure to charge the batteries in parallel to each other the first time, so that both have the same state of charge.

You can use your solar charger to charge them in parallel ( 12 volts ). Then re-wire to 24 volt and make the settings changes.