I'm looking to upgrade my current solar setup and would appreciate some advice. Right now, I have two sets of solar panels, one comprising 2x200 watt Renogy Monocrystalline (~20v in parallel) and another set of 2x200 watt Renogy Shadowfulx (~39v in parallel). Both sets connect to the MPPT ports of my F3800, which can max out at 60v/27A.
My proposed upgrade includes installing 8x310 watt Recom panels (39.9v in parallel or potentially 2 series of 4 in parallel). I plan to use some kind of charge controller and connect a pair of 48v EG4 LiFePower batteries in parallel, running power from the charge controller. I'm also considering terminal-to-Anderson cables with fuses, connecting the batteries to both ports of the F3800 at 48v. I'm uncertain if I can split the output of the batteries or if it's better to connect one battery to each port.
For using the power, I have a transfer switch set up for my heat pump (with a load between 500-2000w), fridge, and some 15 amp circuits for lights and small speakers. The idea is to keep the F3800 charged using the 48V batteries, and if they run out, the F3800 will take over until it's drained. Once both batteries and the F3800 are low, a wall charger will kick in to recharge when it's plugged in.
I'm really trying to make the most of my existing equipment but am open to selling the F3800 for an EG4 6000xp or settling for a more robust 14.4kWh wall-mount battery. I'm also considering how to charge effectively during winter months here in PA, where sunlight is scarce from November to March. Any thoughts or insights would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
Honestly, I would recommend selling the F3800 and going for the EG4. It'd simplify everything since you wouldn't need a separate charge controller. You could wire all your panels in one string, making the system more efficient and easier to manage!
Good point! If I switch to the 6000xp, can I still pull power from the wall to keep it charged when the batteries get low and it's connected to the transfer switch? I want to make sure I can run my appliances even on low sunlight days.