24v question

[Geak77]

Working on changing me system a bit for more solar. I have victron products doing 12v things. i would like to go 24v for more solar input. My inverter is a victron 12v3000. Can I use a step down converter to run the inverter and 12v loads? Or would I be better off upgrading to a 24v inverter? Or do i need to have a 12v battery being charged with the 24v batteries?
Thanks for you help

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Working on changing me system a bit for more solar. I have victron products doing 12v things. i would like to go 24v for more solar input. My inverter is a victron 12v3000. Can I use a step down converter to run the inverter and 12v loads?

No, Yes. There is no cost effective step down converter to power the inverter, but you can use one for DC loads.

Or would I be better off upgrading to a 24v inverter?

Yes.

Or do i need to have a 12v battery being charged with the 24v batteries?

This is an option, but it's getting complicated.

Alternatively, you can simply add more MPPT to your existing 12V system.

 

[MisterSandals]

I have victron products doing 12v things. i would like to go 24v for more solar input.

What solar charge controller and battery do you have?
How much solar do you have now and how much are you adding?

 

[Geak77]

Currently I have 2 MPPT victron 150/60 and 100/30. On the 150 I have 1k solar, on the 100 i have 200 watts
Batteries are 4 100ah Lifepo4s

 

[MisterSandals]

Currently I have 2 MPPT victron 150/60 and 100/30. On the 150 I have 1k solar, on the 100 i have 200 watts
Batteries are 4 100ah Lifepo4s

thats about 85A of charging. .21C

How much more solar are you adding? A 3rd SCC would be cheapest. Upgrading SCCs, particularly the 100/30 to a bigger one not a bad option either.

You have a big investment in the Victron inverter. If that is still sufficient i would be hesitant to scrap it and buy a 24V equivalent.

 

[justinm001]

I run 48v inverters and then have a 12v battery system to run all the 12v stuff. It works well as the systems are separate and I have plenty of 12v power to run everything. I run 200w panels on 12v to charge then 5kw on the 48v.

When on shore they both charge but the 200w seems to be enough to cover most of my 12v loads. I'm working on building a 48/12 system so I can charge if needed. Right now I use 120v/12v which isn't perfect but works.

 

[HarryN]

24 volt is a fantastic idea, and perfect for a lot of mobile applications. Yes, just change the inverter.

That will allow re-use of most of your power system components.

I have built 12, 24 and 48 volt systems. All of them have their place. IMHO, 24 volt is the sweet spot for the typical DIYer in small mobile systems like you have. Of course there are many opinions on this, and mine is just one person.