Solar power batteries

[MadMacs]

What is the best way to connect four batteries in parallel in a a solar power system?

[markus_m2]

I think you'll need to be a bit more specific on what info you're after...or maybe I'm being doff by not realizing the complexity of connecting batteries in parallel?

[C Africa]

What is the best way to connect four batteries in parallel in a a solar power system?

If it is a 12V system, then obviously you would need to connect the 4 batteries in parallel.
But because you have 4 batteries, it just raises the suspicion that maybe you have a 48V system, in which case you have to connect them in series.

When you connect them in parallel, connect the two wires from the solar system to the Positive on the first battery and the negative on the last battery in the pack.

You get special cables for the parallel connection because you have a terminal (the clamp for the battery terminal) with TWO wires coming out of it.

C

[MadMacs]

What is the best way to connect four batteries in parallel in a a solar power system?

If it is a 12V system, then obviously you would need to connect the 4 batteries in parallel.
But because you have 4 batteries, it just raises the suspicion that maybe you have a 48V system, in which case you have to connect them in series.

When you connect them in parallel, connect the two wires from the solar system to the Positive on the first battery and the negative on the last battery in the pack.

You get special cables for the parallel connection because you have a terminal (the clamp for the battery terminal) with TWO wires coming out of it.

C

Yes it is a 12v system and I was wondering how to connect the controller as well as the inverter. Would you then connect the inverter on the opposite terminals to the controller if the controller is connected as you suggest above or to the same posts as the controller? At the moment I have two batteries which are inadequate, so will buy a further two.

I've read that it is not simply a case of connecting 4 batteries in a simple parallel fashion as the battery nearest the inverter gives the most power while the last battery gives the least leading to premature failure during the recharge cycle.

[MadMacs]

I think you'll need to be a bit more specific on what info you're after...or maybe I'm being doff by not realizing the complexity of connecting batteries in parallel?

It's apparently incorrect to just line them up and connect jumpers from one to the next, all paths to and from the battery bank must be as equal as possible leading to a complex way of connecting them up.

[Ugly Duckling]

The right way to parallel batteries.
Connect charger & load to the same points as well. The idea is to have the same resistance = cable length on the positive & negative legs.

[Ugly Duckling]

This is clearer. Ignore the 6 Volt label

[MadMacs]

Another question if I may? Can one mix batteries of differing brands but all the same A/hour rating? I have two Royal Delkor 1150K batteries of 105a/h rating and now the supplier cannot get any more. He has the Energizer ones of the same rating. I have a sneaking suspicion that they are both made by the same manufacturer.

[Ugly Duckling]

Same manufacturer. Badge engineering
Look carefully, you may see Johnson Controls on both labels.
It only really makes a difference at high currents ie. greater than 25 amps on a 100 Amp Hour battery

[MadMacs]

Same manufacturer. Badge engineering
Look carefully, you may see Johnson Controls on both labels.
It only really makes a difference at high currents ie. greater than 25 amps on a 100 Amp Hour battery

Thanks Paul

[MadMacs]

Same manufacturer. Badge engineering
Look carefully, you may see Johnson Controls on both labels.
It only really makes a difference at high currents ie. greater than 25 amps on a 100 Amp Hour battery

How would you describe these batteries Paul, "sealed" or "flooded" and what is the difference between these types?

[Ugly Duckling]

Same manufacturer. Badge engineering
Look carefully, you may see Johnson Controls on both labels.
It only really makes a difference at high currents ie. greater than 25 amps on a 100 Amp Hour battery

How would you describe these batteries Paul, "sealed" or "flooded" and what is the difference between these types?

They are sealed AGM, Abdorbed Glass Mat, but they fo have a vent tube which MUST NOT BE BLOCKED. If the battery is abused it may vent electrolyte from the vent.

Flooded is any battery where electrolyte can be checked & added via easily removable vent caps. If you need a sharp object to pry the cap open it is Sealed.

[MadMacs]

Okay cool, thanks once again.

[rare bird]

just remember: your battery bank is only as good as your worst battery!

[heisan]

just remember: your battery bank is only as good as your worst battery!

Parallel batteries are actually a good example of Marxism. Each contributes according to its abilities. So even a small/old battery will contribute something to the total. Unless of course it is so badly stuffed that it is actively sabotaging the others.

Series on the other hand is completely different. There the pack is limited to the capacity of the weakest battery.