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12v:bank-sizing [2023/05/17 13:34] frater_secessus [charging predictability] |
12v:bank-sizing [2023/12/29 09:57] (current) frater_secessus [charging] chargig |
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+ | DRAFT | ||
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====== sizing a house battery bank ====== | ====== sizing a house battery bank ====== | ||
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- | Everything in this article assumes you have already assessed your [[electrical: | + | * Everything in this article assumes you have already assessed your [[electrical: |
- | + | * We will think in terms of 12v systems and 100Ah batteries. | |
- | This 1,000Wh will be the base of all our calculations below. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | We will assume lithium = the common LiFePO4 | + | |
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=== usable capacity === | === usable capacity === | ||
- | * lead-chemistry batteries (FLA, AGM, GEL) are typically [[electrical: | + | * lead-chemistry batteries (FLA, AGM, GEL) are typically [[electrical: |
- | * lithium batteries are typically nominal 12.8v and discharged to 80% DoD. A 100Ah LFP battery holds 1,280Wh, of which 1,024Wh are usable (1,280Wh x 0.8). It would take **98Ah of LFP** to give us 1,000Wh usable. | + | * lithium batteries are typically nominal 12.8v and discharged to 80% DoD. A 100Ah LFP battery holds 1,280Wh, of which 1,024Wh are usable (1,280Wh x 0.8). It would take **98Ah of LFP** to give us 1,000Wh usable. |
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- | ==== charging | + | ==== charging |
+ | |||
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+ | === charging stability and predictability | ||
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* solar charging is highly unpredictable, | * solar charging is highly unpredictable, | ||
+ | === minimum current requirements === | ||
+ | |||
+ | Lead chemistries typically have minimum charging current requirements to stay healthy | ||
+ | |||
+ | * FLA 0.10C (10A for every 100Ah of capacity) | ||
+ | * AGM 0.20C (20A for every 100Ah of capacity) | ||
+ | |||
+ | If we cannot meet minimums the bank should be downsized (or [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Note: Lithium has no minimum charging current | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | === maximum charging limits === | ||
+ | |||
+ | Battery chemistries typically have maximum charging currents that can stress charging systems (particularly alternators via combiners): | ||
+ | |||
+ | * FLA 0.20C (20A for every 100Ah of capacity) | ||
+ | * AGM 0.33C (33A for every 100Ah of capacity) | ||
+ | * LFP 1.0C (100A for every 100Ah of capacity) | ||
+ | |||
+ | If the alternator can only safely provide 50A of charging to the house bank this would limit us to a 166Ah AGM bank (166Ah x 0.33 = 50A). If the alternator has excess capacity then a larger bank can accept more current. | ||