My possible solar setup.

[Johnfort]

Will my Jackery 1000 be able to properly charge from the "Battery #2" output terminals on a GoPower PMW 30. I plan on adding a 12V SAE plug in the interior to plug the Jackery in.

 

[Johnfort]

I'm using a GoPower 190W panel and will be going to a single LiFePO4 battery.

 

[wls]

I know solar has been around for a bit, so before LiFePO4 batteries, what setups did rv'ers use? Starting with 3-500 watts on top to type of controller, and what type of batteries. I'm pretty sure people boondocked somewhat back in the day.
Thanks

 

[sdelam]

I know solar has been around for a bit, so before LiFePO4 batteries, what setups did rv'ers use? Starting with 3-500 watts on top to type of controller, and what type of batteries. I'm pretty sure people boondocked somewhat back in the day.
Thanks

You don't need LiFePo batteries to use solar. FLD/AGM/GC batteries work fine. The advantage of LiFePo is that they will absorb all the current created by the solar at a much faster rate and therefore reach a full charge much faster than a FLD.

 

[chriscowles]

I know solar has been around for a bit, so before LiFePO4 batteries, what setups did rv'ers use? Starting with 3-500 watts on top to type of controller, and what type of batteries. I'm pretty sure people boondocked somewhat back in the day.
Thanks

The same GC2s you're using. Some use AGM because there's little to no off-gassing, meaning you may not need ventilation to keep them indoors.

The only issue in the previous correspondence is that it sounded like you intended to add a 2KW inverter in addition to the existing 1KW. The result (3KW) would be too much.

Have you read the The 12V Side of Life? You'll find it informative. It's dated but most of what the author describes is basic lead-acid information, and will never change.

 

[Clint_TX]

Will my Jackery 1000 be able to properly charge from the "Battery #2" output terminals on a GoPower PMW 30. I plan on adding a 12V SAE plug in the interior to plug the Jackery in.

Your Jackery 1000 has a built in MPPT controller. You would be stacking a PWM controller on top of a MPPT controller. Plug your solar output straight to the Jackery. As long as the solar panels are within the limits of the Jackery you'll be good.

 

[wls]

The same GC2s you're using. Some use AGM because there's little to no off-gassing, meaning you may not need ventilation to keep them indoors.

The only issue in the previous correspondence is that it sounded like you intended to add a 2KW inverter in addition to the existing 1KW. The result (3KW) would be too much.

Have you read the The 12V Side of Life? You'll find it informative. It's dated but most of what the author describes is basic lead-acid information, and will never change.

lots of good info, thanks

 

[wls]

this may be sort of a dumb question, but can you pull the pos/neg off the circled ones, just as well as the ends like the pic shows? Thanks

 

[Ballistic]

Can it be done? Yes, but it should not be done as the two outer most batteries will be out of balance when drawing current from them as well as charging. The inverse is the two middle batteries will be having more current passing through them and it will “abuse” them more.

In order to balance them in the scenario you presented the batteries would need balancing cables/buss bars. People don’t do this as it adds cost, complexity and hassle when the cables can be tapped off the outer most posts. Make sense?

 

[Johnfort]

Your Jackery 1000 has a built in MPPT controller. You would be stacking a PWM controller on top of a MPPT controller. Plug your solar output straight to the Jackery. As long as the solar panels are within the limits of the Jackery you'll be good.

Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[wls]

Can it be done? Yes, but it should not be done as the two outer most batteries will be out of balance when drawing current from them as well as charging. The inverse is the two middle batteries will be having more current passing through them and it will “abuse” them more.

In order to balance them in the scenario you presented the batteries would need balancing cables/buss bars. People don’t do this as it adds cost, complexity and hassle when the cables can be tapped off the outer most posts. Make sense?

yes, makes sense thanks for the info

 

[wls]

Can it be done? Yes, but it should not be done as the two outer most batteries will be out of balance when drawing current from them as well as charging. The inverse is the two middle batteries will be having more current passing through them and it will “abuse” them more.

In order to balance them in the scenario you presented the batteries would need balancing cables/buss bars. People don’t do this as it adds cost, complexity and hassle when the cables can be tapped off the outer most posts. Make sense?

Another question, I'm sure I know the answer, but will ask. The cables from the charge controller to the batteries, hook them to the same terminals, on each end? Thanks

 

[Ballistic]

Another question, I'm sure I know the answer, but will ask. The cables from the charge controller to the batteries, hook them to the same terminals, on each end? Thanks

Using your previous photo, connect the charge controller to these terminals (green circles). They should not be connected to the same terminals as the load.

 

[Hclarkx]

this may be sort of a dumb question, but can you pull the pos/neg off the circled ones, just as well as the ends like the pic shows? Thanks

It's likely a bit late now (over a month) but contrary to another post, you can connect to the center two terminals as you indicated in your sketch. The test is wheather the total length of interconnecting wire in each parallel string of 6 volt batteries is the same. With your suggested center connection, the total length of cable in each string is the same just as it would be with the end connections. The longer piece of cable is at the positive end in one case and the negative end in the other, but that makes no difference.

Also, you DO want to connect the charger to the same terminals as the load. If the battery currents are balanced when current is flowing out to load, they will be balanced when flowing the other direction for charging. Also, unbalance is avoided by having some or all of the charging current going directly into the load (when there is load) rather than through some battery cables.