Mountianview
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2020
- Messages
- 1
I need to build out a functional battery/ inverter system that I would like to expand and refine later. I have about a $1200 budget to work with but I can stretch that to a higher number if it were critical. The vehicle? A step van. In some ways its pretty much ideal for a solar system even though that's not what I need to start with. There are some reasons that wouldn't seem obvious without explanation, so let me cover that. I need to do all this in short order, I have several demands on my time, and when I add solar panels I want to have a roof rack and do a professional quality job. Also, I have some concerns about stealth. For these reasons and more I've decided that I'll be better off sticking with an alternator charged system. I know just like any system there are limitations to these designs and I'm hoping to live within those limitations until I can add solar. I had the thought that I could have a generator in storage and run it for an hour or so to charge my system if the alternator didn't keep up.
What I've got in my head so far:
Batteries:
4 Fortune 100Ah Lithium Battery LiFePO4
https://www.electriccarpartscompany.com/Fortune-100Ah-Aluminum-Encased-Battery
Inverter:
Giandel Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter 3000Watt
https://www.amazon.com/Inverter-3000Watt-120Volt-Display-GIANDEL/dp/B07NZN4K48/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=3000+inverter&qid=1595951547&sr=8-13
Renogy 40A 40A DC to DC Battery Charger- this is one of the recommendations Will has for this type of charging, yes?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q4SVX3M/?coliid=IWGAN0W61VXNM&colid=3NF7HCA9Y4SLM&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
While I have a background working with electricity, I have no experience with solar other than casually watching youtube videos, so I'm here asking for help with this project. I know I've left things out- (BMS, battery heat pad, and???)
I picked the batteries based on price and Will's recommendation, the same goes for the Inverter and DC to DC charger. The inverter size was based on the heaviest load I anticipate and the manufacturer's recommendation.
Questions:
On batteries- I thought I would start out with a twelve volt system, but when I add Solar I might transition to 24v. Additionally I might add additional battery capacity, but I vaguely remember that adding batteries later is not recommended. Do I have this right? If so I guess I need to either use the minimum battery capacity to replace later, or alternately max out on batteries now, correct?
DC to DC charger: how do you correctly size these things? All I can tell you right now is that I believe that alternator is a 105 Amp alternator as that appears to be stock for this truck.
Are there any key components I'm leaving out? Is this a big hot mess only suitable for abandonment? Any other advice?
About the only other thing I can add is that when I do add Solar it will be in the 300-800 watt range.
Thanks for all your advice!
What I've got in my head so far:
Batteries:
4 Fortune 100Ah Lithium Battery LiFePO4
https://www.electriccarpartscompany.com/Fortune-100Ah-Aluminum-Encased-Battery
Inverter:
Giandel Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter 3000Watt
https://www.amazon.com/Inverter-3000Watt-120Volt-Display-GIANDEL/dp/B07NZN4K48/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=3000+inverter&qid=1595951547&sr=8-13
Renogy 40A 40A DC to DC Battery Charger- this is one of the recommendations Will has for this type of charging, yes?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q4SVX3M/?coliid=IWGAN0W61VXNM&colid=3NF7HCA9Y4SLM&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
While I have a background working with electricity, I have no experience with solar other than casually watching youtube videos, so I'm here asking for help with this project. I know I've left things out- (BMS, battery heat pad, and???)
I picked the batteries based on price and Will's recommendation, the same goes for the Inverter and DC to DC charger. The inverter size was based on the heaviest load I anticipate and the manufacturer's recommendation.
Questions:
On batteries- I thought I would start out with a twelve volt system, but when I add Solar I might transition to 24v. Additionally I might add additional battery capacity, but I vaguely remember that adding batteries later is not recommended. Do I have this right? If so I guess I need to either use the minimum battery capacity to replace later, or alternately max out on batteries now, correct?
DC to DC charger: how do you correctly size these things? All I can tell you right now is that I believe that alternator is a 105 Amp alternator as that appears to be stock for this truck.
Are there any key components I'm leaving out? Is this a big hot mess only suitable for abandonment? Any other advice?
About the only other thing I can add is that when I do add Solar it will be in the 300-800 watt range.
Thanks for all your advice!