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electrical:solar:nonessential [2020/01/13 11:22] frater_secessus [when to run opportunity loads] |
electrical:solar:nonessential [2020/01/13 11:26] frater_secessus [when to run opportunity loads] |
It is common for Lead-Acid batteries to consume C/100 or C/200 amps to Float, meaning that **during Float** you will have **at least 99% your panels' output**((under present conditions)) **available for loads**.((normal + opportunity)) | It is common for Lead-Acid batteries to consume C/100 or C/200 amps to Float, meaning that **during Float** you will have **at least 99% your panels' output**((under present conditions)) **available for loads**.((normal + opportunity)) |
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**During Absorption** the charge current is tapering down as the battery accepts less; the more it tapers down the more is available for loads.((agaom. normal + opportunity)) At the very beginning of Absorption ~0% of "bonus" output is available. At the very end of Absorption 99%+ is available. Mid-way through Absorption((judging by current not time)) ~49% of the panels' output is available for loads. | **During Absorption** the charge current is tapering down as the battery accepts less; the more it tapers down the more is available for loads.((agaom. normal + opportunity)) At the very beginning of Absorption ~0% of "bonus" output is available. At the very end of Absorption 99%+ is available. Mid-way through Absorption((judging by current not time)) ~49% of the panels' output is available for loads. See the image at the top of the page for an example of how current demand drops in Absorption. |
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There will generally be more "surplus" power available when using MPPT charge controllers v. PWM,((http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/372165#Comment_372165))((http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/250746#Comment_250746)) though the difference is less dramatic during periods one would run opportunity loads (see [[electrical:solar:nonessential#when_to_run_opportunity_loads|below]]). Siphoning off power can actually **help PWM controllers run cooler** by reducing the ON-OFF switching activity that generates heat. | There will generally be more "surplus" power available when using MPPT charge controllers v. PWM,((http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/372165#Comment_372165))((http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/250746#Comment_250746)) though the difference is less dramatic during periods one would run opportunity loads (see [[electrical:solar:nonessential#when_to_run_opportunity_loads|below]]). Siphoning off power can actually **help PWM controllers run cooler** by reducing the ON-OFF switching activity that generates heat. |
===== when to run opportunity loads ===== | ===== when to run opportunity loads ===== |
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**The best time to run non-essential loads is when there is surplus current** over what battery charging needs. This means **during Float, or after current has started dropping off in Absorption**. | **The best time to run non-essential loads is when there is surplus current** over what battery charging needs. This means **during Float, or after current has started dropping off in Absorption**. For [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#lithium_chemistries|LiFePO4]] there is excess power any time after the bank has reached the intended charge state. |
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Opportunity loads should not be applied during [[electrical:12v:charging|Bulk stage]] since Bulk, by definition, means the battery is taking all the available current.((assuming no charging limit has been configured in the [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|charge controller]])) | Opportunity loads should not be applied during [[electrical:12v:charging|Bulk stage]] since Bulk, by definition, means the battery is taking all the available current.((assuming no charging limit has been configured in the [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|charge controller]])) |
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For [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#lithium_chemistries|LiFePO4]] set the LVD to Vfloat; there is no actual Absorption stage _per se_ in fractional-C charging. We use these setpoints only because our traditional lead-acid controllers work that way. | |
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===== timing opportunity loads ===== | ===== timing opportunity loads ===== |