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--- electrical:solar:nonessential [2023/06/19 14:29]
frater_secessus [uses for opportunity loads]
+++ electrical:solar:nonessential [2023/10/18 19:07]
frater_secessus [when to run opportunity loads]
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 ===== when to run opportunity loads =====
-**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.
+The optimal time to run loads is when there is **power available in excess of battery charging requirements**.  When done at the right time, the loads are effectively run [[electrical:solar:offthepanel|off the panels]] rather than off the battery bank.  This allows you go to into sundown and morning with a higher state of charge.
-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]]))\
+With **lead** this means **during Float**, or **in late Absorption** when charge current acceptance has fallen enough that the system can run the loads //and still maintain the Absorption voltage setpoint//.
-**PWM controllers** will make [[electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking|most power during Absorption]] when voltage is highest.  Wait until current demand falls low enough that your loads will not affect Absorption.
+There is a little more wiggle room with [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#lithium_chemistries|LiFePO4]];  the loads can be run with no net negative effect on a Lithium system when
+  * the bank has reached the intended charge state; or
+  * any time the bank can be //projected// to reach the intended charge state by sundown while carrying the extra loads. In effect, lithium allows you to "borrow" against future charging without penalty..   Exception:  Lithium setups with PWM [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controllers]] will make [[electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking|most power]] when bank voltage is highest.  So waiting for Float or Absorption to run opportunity loads will mean the solar can make more Wh per day.

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