One can have as many independent charging sources running concurrently as they like provided they are programmed properly for the voltage of one's battery bank.
Examples (some or all at once, even multiples of a single type, different brands, etc.):
Again, important that all chargers are appropriately configured to handle the battery bank with suitable absorption and float voltages.
Also very important that the sum of all charge currents do not exceed the recommended max charge current of the battery bank.
Note:
Multiple chargers only offer benefit when the battery is below the absorption voltage. Once the absorption voltage is hit, it is now a voltage limited charge and thus current will be lower than the sum of all sources. The battery bank will only accept as much current as it needs to maintain the absorption voltage. As the battery bank fills, current is reduced and chargers can no longer deliver current at the absorption voltage. They will drop out and go to float. Typically, the highest current charging source will always be the last source charging while all others are at 0A and likely in float mode.
Comments and corrections are welcome.
Examples (some or all at once, even multiples of a single type, different brands, etc.):
- Solar PV via MPPT
- Solar PV via PWM
- AC-DC input via MPPT (using a AC to DC power supply feeding an MPPT solar controller with voltage/current consistent with a solar panel)
- Wind with suitable controller
- Grid/Generator AC via inverter/charger
- Grid/Generator AC via RV AC-DC converter
- Hydro with suitable controller
- Anything else someone might use to charge an off-grid energy storage system.
Again, important that all chargers are appropriately configured to handle the battery bank with suitable absorption and float voltages.
Also very important that the sum of all charge currents do not exceed the recommended max charge current of the battery bank.
Note:
Multiple chargers only offer benefit when the battery is below the absorption voltage. Once the absorption voltage is hit, it is now a voltage limited charge and thus current will be lower than the sum of all sources. The battery bank will only accept as much current as it needs to maintain the absorption voltage. As the battery bank fills, current is reduced and chargers can no longer deliver current at the absorption voltage. They will drop out and go to float. Typically, the highest current charging source will always be the last source charging while all others are at 0A and likely in float mode.
Comments and corrections are welcome.
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