I'm looking for some advice on my current battery setup for my off-grid system. Right now, I've got four 105ah sealed lead-acid marine batteries connected to a 12V system. I'm using a Victron charger, a budget-friendly Chinese 1500W pure sine wave inverter, and a Renogy Wanderer charge controller paired with two 200W Renogy solar panels.
On top of that, I have an EG4 6000 XP just sitting on the wall because I'm struggling to find an affordable battery to run it along with six 440W solar panels, which I also haven't set up yet due to this battery situation.
I know I could buy a $4000 EG4 battery, but that's not in my budget right now. Meanwhile, I'm spending around $160 a week on propane to keep my refrigerator running, charging the batteries with the generator for about 4-6 hours a day to power everything for just 6-10 hours. Any recommendations or suggestions would be hugely appreciated!
3 Answers
I think you're missing an easy fix! You can wire those four 105Ah batteries into a 48V pack. If you need 12V for other devices, you can use a DC-DC converter. Making this change can help you avoid needing expensive new batteries right away. Plus, if you’re running low on power, adjusting your fridge to freeze during sunny hours and using an icebox might stretch your battery life overnight.
You might want to consider moving to a 48V setup. I recently switched to a 48V system with a 100Ah lithium battery and three 400W solar panels – it works great! There are also cheaper lithium options out there; I've seen some eco-friendly rack batteries priced reasonably that might fit your needs. You can get smaller setups too, like a 50Ah, to get started without breaking the bank. Light up those panels and make the most of the sunshine!
Thanks for this! It’s exactly what I needed to hear.
You may want to consider a propane refrigerator instead. I had one last summer and barely used 150 pounds of fuel. It'll definitely help reduce your costs and ease the burden on your battery system.
I’ve thought about switching to propane, but I was holding out for a complete solar setup. Still, I want to explore all options.
That’s a smart idea! I'll look into the converter for my 12V needs.