Okay, so this is my first post as a new member and I could use some help on deciding what voltage battery system to use for my house battery. I am building a camper from a 2007 Ford E350 passenger van. I intend to create an off-grid system that will sustain us for up to 5 days in remote locations. I want to do this without the use of a gasoline powered generator by using a solar system, combined with alternator charging and the ability to plug in to 110 AC when we have that available.
A good friend donated four panels to use in my build. Here's the specs;
Astronergy CHSM6610P-240
Max Power 240.0Wp
Open Circuit Voltage 37.77V
Voltage at Pmax 29.54V
Current atPmax 8.13A
Nominal Operating Temp 43C
My primary use will be traveling/camping during warm/hot months of the year. I am a resident in SW Florida, so being able to produce air conditioning is important. I am planning to utilize a Zero Breeze unit and duct it through the factory headliner vents. The Zero Breeze is a 24V DC unit, which comes with an adapter for 110 AC operation. Then there are the other items.
Refrig/Freezer, dorm size, 110 AC
Flat Screen TV, 110 AC
Single Cup Keurig coffee machine, 110 AC
Crock Pot/Pressure Cooker 110 AC
Water Pump 12V DC
LED Lights 12V DC
Phone Charger 12V DC
Laptop Charger 12V DC
So, here are my questions. If my highest usage is the Zero Breeze at 24V DC. Should I build a 24V DC battery system and convert 24V DC to 12V DC, using an inverter for the 110 AC items? Or, do I build a 12V DC battery system and convert to 24V DC for the Zero Breeze, using an inverter for the 110 AC items? Since I want to use my 12V alternator as one of my options for charging, is that going to limit me to a 12V battery system? Since all conversions come at a cost in efficiency loss, I'm thinking that a 24V battery system would be the way to go. The 12V items would be infrequent uses, but the Zero Breeze would be the heaviest use. Converting tto the 110 AC is going to come at a loss, no matter which voltage system I build.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Steve
A good friend donated four panels to use in my build. Here's the specs;
Astronergy CHSM6610P-240
Max Power 240.0Wp
Open Circuit Voltage 37.77V
Voltage at Pmax 29.54V
Current atPmax 8.13A
Nominal Operating Temp 43C
My primary use will be traveling/camping during warm/hot months of the year. I am a resident in SW Florida, so being able to produce air conditioning is important. I am planning to utilize a Zero Breeze unit and duct it through the factory headliner vents. The Zero Breeze is a 24V DC unit, which comes with an adapter for 110 AC operation. Then there are the other items.
Refrig/Freezer, dorm size, 110 AC
Flat Screen TV, 110 AC
Single Cup Keurig coffee machine, 110 AC
Crock Pot/Pressure Cooker 110 AC
Water Pump 12V DC
LED Lights 12V DC
Phone Charger 12V DC
Laptop Charger 12V DC
So, here are my questions. If my highest usage is the Zero Breeze at 24V DC. Should I build a 24V DC battery system and convert 24V DC to 12V DC, using an inverter for the 110 AC items? Or, do I build a 12V DC battery system and convert to 24V DC for the Zero Breeze, using an inverter for the 110 AC items? Since I want to use my 12V alternator as one of my options for charging, is that going to limit me to a 12V battery system? Since all conversions come at a cost in efficiency loss, I'm thinking that a 24V battery system would be the way to go. The 12V items would be infrequent uses, but the Zero Breeze would be the heaviest use. Converting tto the 110 AC is going to come at a loss, no matter which voltage system I build.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Steve