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Ductape_Dave's avatar
Ductape_Dave
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015

Need Help on Battery Type for Solar ?

I am considering the Renogy 300 watt solar kit, my question is which battery set-up listed below is the best one. I am limited on space and can only fit what I have listed, thanks for your help!

4-group 24 lead plate deep cycle batteries,

3-group 27 lead plate deep cycle batteries or,

4-6 volt golf cart batteries wired to make 2-12 volt batteries.

Thanks,
Dave
  • My vote would be.

    4-6 volt golf cart batteries wired to make 2-12 volt batteries.

    Much higher capacity than 4-group 24 lead plate deep cycle batteries
  • The 300 watt kit isn't enough for 4 - 6 volt GC batteries. It is perfect for two GC batteries. If you plan on the 4-6 volt GC's you will need at least 400 watt and a MPPT controller and even that will be marginal for longest battery life.
    The inverter only has an efficiency of 83 to 85 %. If you have to have a TV look for something in 12 volt with LED screen.

    As a starting point 100 watts of solar per 100 AH of battery is a very minimum.
  • Your going with solar, so I have to assume that means you like to boondock? Gold cart batteries is the only way to go. At least for a reasonable price.
  • Dave,

    Before the depression I made a living working on other people's boats.
    I can tell you two things for a fact:
    1 - Paralleling lead/acid batteries is not the best idea.
    2 - Real 12V deep cycle batteries are hard to find and expensive.

    All golf cart batteries are real deep cycle. That is the only way that they are made.

    It looks like you have most of it figured out. No matter what you do with batteries in parallel, when the mode suits you, break up the bank and charge each set to full density. If you don't, one part of the bank will always be at less than full.

    Matt
  • Ductape Dave wrote:
    I am considering the Renogy 300 watt solar kit, my question is which battery set-up listed below is the best one. I am limited on space and can only fit what I have listed, thanks for your help!

    4-group 24 lead plate deep cycle batteries,340 Amphrs

    3-group 27 lead plate deep cycle batteries or,300 amphrs

    4-6 volt golf cart batteries wired to make 2-12 volt batteries.440 Amphrs

    Thanks,
    Dave
  • It would be for the water pump, lights, inverter for tv, charging phones and cpu. What more do you need?
  • It depends on how you will be using the power output of the batteries and personal preference. Which batteries you use are unimportant in relation to the solar panels.