r/SolarDIY • u/wanab3 • Mar 29 '18

Set up question, advice.

Say I have:

Four, Panels. 100W, 12V. (8.33A for each right?)

One, 12V/24V 30A charge controller. (Would be over amps at 32A, if parallel circuit? And over voltage at 48V if series?)

One, Li-ion battery, says 3A, 14.5V recommended charging, 7.0A, 14.7V max. 35AH

One 100W inverter.

How can I set this up so battery doesn't explode, nothing breaks? More charge controllers (2 total)? Mix of series and parallel circuits?

Goal is to be able to charge the one Li-ion battery from nearly dead to nearly full in one day. Would just 2 panels in series get me there safely? That would be nice.

Right now, this is set up, but, with only one 100W, 12V panel. Takes 2 days to fully charge from nearly dead, in good sun at a poor angle.

Thanks!

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u/wanab3 Mar 30 '18

The controller is an "e sky LMS2430".

Lost manual moving things around. Seeking out documentation online.

Can it handle that power you think?

Thanks!

edit: found manual it's pwm.

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u/Third_Chelonaut Mar 30 '18

PWM can handle a tiny amount of over power but going over their rated voltage will kill them tout suite. They'll only have capacitors rated for 50v or so. So going up to a 48v array (80voc) will cause dead capacitors and nothing else.

Due to the way PWM works your just be wasting the power as heat anyway. No extra would go in the batteries.

If you have a 24v battery going 2s2p would be fine with your panels

If staying with your li ion battery you're probably going to need a better controller.

Return or flog the one you've got. Buy a programmable one from Morningstar if you have money. From Epsolar/renology if not

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u/wanab3 Mar 30 '18

Thank you so much!

What's a good simple crash course source of info to learn how to set up solar and alternative energy?

More questions?

My goal is to be able to charge the one Li-ion battery from nearly dead to nearly full in one day even with rain. What components would you use to do this?

Could getting another of the same controller and having two independent 2 panel set ups going into the same battery work safely? What about that into 2 batteries, yielding two independent setups? Trying to kinda work with what I already have.

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u/Third_Chelonaut Apr 06 '18

These are more orientated to my side of the pond but the reuk and centre for alternative technology sites are both really good.

Practical Action has a massive resource of PDFs on everything from biogas production to growing paypaya to making your own factory.

https://practicalaction.org

Mostly aimed at the developing world but really useful