RoyB wrote:
The first thing that stood out for me was to make some of the battery cable lengths the same length even though it will not be the same distance covered.
The LIKE cables inside the battery bank path should be equal path lengths.
Cables inside the battery bank 4-8, 8-12, 1-5, 5-9 should be the same longer lengths. I would make these cables 2AWG size
Cables inside the battery bank 2-3, 6-7, 10-11 should be the same shorter lengths. I would make these cables 2AWG size.
All of the cables short and long do not have to be the same length just the LIKE paths should be equal lengths.
When done you will end up with three different battery cables group lengths being the two cables coming from the solar controller one length, Inside the battery bank you will have four longer group lengths and three shorter group lengths.
The idea is that all battery groups get fed by the same amount of current coming from the combined solar panels when being charged. Otherwise some batteries will not charge up to the same level and may affect the overall BATTERY OUTPUT when being used. Eventually will do some harm to certain battery groups...
I would make the cables feeding the 12VDC Distribution Panel where all of your fuses circuits are and frame ground connections at least 4AWG size. Some may want to see these at 2AWG size....
Roy Ken
Roy,
Thanks for your recommendations..... but I've already put the battery system together. The one set of 6volt batteries to the left side of the diagram are about 6 feet from the other (4) 6 volt batteries. I had to build a battery tray for this extra set.
Cable 1-5 and 4-8 are each about 5 feet in length. 5-9 and 8-12 are each about 16 inches in length. Purchasing (2) more #2 cables each 5 feet to replace 5-9 and 8-12 is pricey. You say eventually the different length cables will do some harm to certain battery groups. How bad might this be, 1%, 0.1%, 0.001% or really bad? The batteries are all hooked up and seem to work very well. Should I really worry about leaving things as they are, or invest in some new cables?
I have not done the solar panel wiring yet.
Again, thanks for your thoughts.
