Tecchie
New Member
This is going to be a semi long-term planning stage for me. My requirements are firm for capacity. Everything else is open to debate.
I realize a few things, cost of batteries is nearly going to make my wallet catch on fire, which is why this is long term planning (mostly the batteries)
This system will be installed in a fairly large diesel pusher Skoolie build.
A few things out of the way already;
Got solar panels/brand nailed down
Got battery chemistry chosen (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
Planned system total capacity: 120kWh - 160kWh
Planned usable around 100kWh - 150kWh (for longevity of the cells)
System will be used for several weeks off-grid (family of 5) with most - if not all - appliances running off the batteries (hot water, cooking, heating & cooling, water pumps, etc)
Weight is not a concern, neither is the weight or wire diameter.
My questions are as follows;
The bus' on-board electrical system will be 24V
Question is, there will be a few high draw appliances like cooktop/oven/air conditioning/heating. Which would be a better system voltage? 24V or 48V? (I fully understand the high current draw from a lower voltage system, and will plan safely around this requirement like using conduit/wire chases)
Things are a lot easier to find for 24V systems (MPPT charge controllers, BMS, etc) than 48V.
Preference is leaning towards 24V system as I could also use it in an emergency situation to jump-start the bus in case the starting batteries take a crap (which will be probably a momentary draw of around 900A or more - which I know the system capacity will handle the short hard hit of that draw)
There seems to be more appliance things like refrigerators and freezers that will run off 48V (or at least capable)
I'd plan to run as many things off the DC circuit as possible, even converting some things to run only off DC (removing their onboard transformer and wire in directly fused DC power and of course with those "DC-Outlets" they will be also tied to a breaker panel)
Also, it seems to be very difficult to locate DC-DC converters for a voltage step-up or step-down (like going from 48V to 24 or even 12V for certain applications)
Basically I want to minimize the need or usage for inverters.
Speaking of inverters, RELIABILITY and efficiency are my two number one requirements. I do not care about brand.
The solar setup I have penciled out, should provide around 3-8kWh at full sun for the panels I chose.
Most likely most electrical usage would be in the evening/night time hours. The system I am planning for may be overkill for the majority of you, but I want to be sure that my family has PLENTY of power with redundancy built-in.
Also, part of the BMS/MPPT etc will also want to be able to charge the bank from multiple inputs such as (besides solar) being plugged into electrical mains (120V or 220V or hel, even one of those high voltage electric car chargers)
Desired operability is something like a central panel that will show all the stats like the Victron system is capable of (usage, charging rate, cell life cycles, temprature, etc..)
Any advice would be appreciated.
Also, this is my first post here. Also been following Will on his YouTube channel for well over a year now, and appreciate his work.
Side note; If I Can get one of those commercial grade electric 220V griddle cooktops to work on DC, that would be fantastic and make for super ease of cooking meals. Otherwise I'd use one of the Blackstone griddles and figure out proper ventilation seeing as it's propane only.
Thanks for all your time and input everyone!
-Brian
P.S.
I apologize for the massive word vomit, I have ADHD, and the thoughts come at random..
Speaking of which, how is the quaity of those MidNite controllers? They seem to be manufactured in my home state of Washington.
Thanks!
I realize a few things, cost of batteries is nearly going to make my wallet catch on fire, which is why this is long term planning (mostly the batteries)
This system will be installed in a fairly large diesel pusher Skoolie build.
A few things out of the way already;
Got solar panels/brand nailed down
Got battery chemistry chosen (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
Planned system total capacity: 120kWh - 160kWh
Planned usable around 100kWh - 150kWh (for longevity of the cells)
System will be used for several weeks off-grid (family of 5) with most - if not all - appliances running off the batteries (hot water, cooking, heating & cooling, water pumps, etc)
Weight is not a concern, neither is the weight or wire diameter.
My questions are as follows;
The bus' on-board electrical system will be 24V
Question is, there will be a few high draw appliances like cooktop/oven/air conditioning/heating. Which would be a better system voltage? 24V or 48V? (I fully understand the high current draw from a lower voltage system, and will plan safely around this requirement like using conduit/wire chases)
Things are a lot easier to find for 24V systems (MPPT charge controllers, BMS, etc) than 48V.
Preference is leaning towards 24V system as I could also use it in an emergency situation to jump-start the bus in case the starting batteries take a crap (which will be probably a momentary draw of around 900A or more - which I know the system capacity will handle the short hard hit of that draw)
There seems to be more appliance things like refrigerators and freezers that will run off 48V (or at least capable)
I'd plan to run as many things off the DC circuit as possible, even converting some things to run only off DC (removing their onboard transformer and wire in directly fused DC power and of course with those "DC-Outlets" they will be also tied to a breaker panel)
Also, it seems to be very difficult to locate DC-DC converters for a voltage step-up or step-down (like going from 48V to 24 or even 12V for certain applications)
Basically I want to minimize the need or usage for inverters.
Speaking of inverters, RELIABILITY and efficiency are my two number one requirements. I do not care about brand.
The solar setup I have penciled out, should provide around 3-8kWh at full sun for the panels I chose.
Most likely most electrical usage would be in the evening/night time hours. The system I am planning for may be overkill for the majority of you, but I want to be sure that my family has PLENTY of power with redundancy built-in.
Also, part of the BMS/MPPT etc will also want to be able to charge the bank from multiple inputs such as (besides solar) being plugged into electrical mains (120V or 220V or hel, even one of those high voltage electric car chargers)
Desired operability is something like a central panel that will show all the stats like the Victron system is capable of (usage, charging rate, cell life cycles, temprature, etc..)
Any advice would be appreciated.
Also, this is my first post here. Also been following Will on his YouTube channel for well over a year now, and appreciate his work.
Side note; If I Can get one of those commercial grade electric 220V griddle cooktops to work on DC, that would be fantastic and make for super ease of cooking meals. Otherwise I'd use one of the Blackstone griddles and figure out proper ventilation seeing as it's propane only.
Thanks for all your time and input everyone!
-Brian
P.S.
I apologize for the massive word vomit, I have ADHD, and the thoughts come at random..
Speaking of which, how is the quaity of those MidNite controllers? They seem to be manufactured in my home state of Washington.
Thanks!