I recently took over my dad's old off-grid property and he had a setup with five 100W solar panels connected to a Windy Nation track max 40 BT charge controller, which is supposed to handle 480W max. However, since I replaced the old lead acid batteries with two lithium 12.8V 300Ah batteries in parallel, the charge controller seems to have stopped working correctly. My batteries are now in low voltage cutoff mode, showing zero volts, and I'm unsure of what charger would work best for my setup. The Windy Nation setup isn't impressive either, as the load circuit is weak for running my inverter. It seems like the extra voltage from the solar panels isn't being utilized. Currently, I'm running the inverter directly off the batteries and I'm feeling a bit lost. Any recommendations on a better charger or system configuration?
3 Answers
Putting lithium batteries on a lead acid charger is tricky and can lead to issues. Check the voltage and short circuit current of your panels, and if they’re all good, you definitely need a lithium-compatible charger. If you're using your inverter all day, you might also want to consider upgrading to a more efficient model to lower your load during those hours.
Yeah, optimizing your setup could really help manage the power better, especially if you're mainly running small devices.
It sounds like you might need to consider a total overhaul if you can swing it. The Windy Nation track is outdated, and more panels could help overall. Make sure your existing charge controller is compatible with lithium batteries. Also, figure out your power needs and how much solar you actually require for those.
Yeah, the efficiency of your current setup could use some serious improvement, especially with the inverter running 24/7.
I agree! You might want to re-evaluate the whole setup and see just how much solar you can add. And don’t forget to check the configuration of your panels.
You should definitely check out the Victron 150/45 charger. It’s fantastic! Just remember, you’re going to need more solar capacity. The input voltage rating for chargers also matters a lot; over-volting them can cause major issues, so pick wisely.
Solid recommendation! The Victron's input capacity is excellent for flexibility with your panel arrangement.
Just a heads up! It's crucial that your charger is lithium compatible.
Absolutely! Maybe even think about using a smaller inverter for when you're not around—could save some power!