I'm looking into battery options for my setup and I'm wondering if I should go with one big 200Ah battery or use two 100Ah batteries instead. I found some good discounts on 24v lifepo batteries from Weize, and the two smaller ones are about $40 cheaper than the single larger one. Aside from the extra connectors and cabling I'd have to manage, are there any performance issues I should be aware of with this setup?
2 Answers
If this system is for solar backup, you might want to consider building a DIY LFP battery box with MB314 cells. It keeps everything neat with a single Battery Management System (BMS) and reduces the wiring mess. This way, you can maximize efficiency and maintain simplicity in your setup.
The main issue with using multiple smaller batteries is keeping them balanced, especially if you connect them in series. There are products like the Victron balancer designed for this. It's definitely worth checking out other options from RV or trucking suppliers as they often use similar battery setups. Just keep in mind that balancing can be a hassle if you're not careful.
I’d actually advise against putting batteries in series due to potential balance issues. But really, having multiple batteries means you can draw more current. For example, one 100Ah battery is limited to around 100 amps, but if you go with two in parallel, you could theoretically pull up to 200 amps. Just be aware that different manufacturers will rate their batteries differently.
Thanks for the tip! Not exactly what I was asking, but I appreciate the insight!