I have two 100 Ah Renogy AGM batteries in my TT, connected to two Renogy 100 watts solar panels on the roof via a Renogy 30A PWM controller. I want to install an inverter so I can use coffee maker and microwave. Quick napkin calculation showed I don't have enough power in the batteries to run the coffee maker and microwave in the morning before the sun had a chance to charge the batteries. I want to install another battery but this time a 200Ah LiFe battery. Can the Renogy 30A PWM charger charge both the AGM batteries and LiFe battery at the same time? Multiple reason for the LiFe batteries: more useable capacity than AGM, longer life cycles. The AGM batteries are 4 years old and I think when I need to replace them, it'll be LiFe batteries. I don't think I need add more solar panels since the two AGM batteries usually gets topped off by 10 AM. We have good amount of sunlight here in Colorado. My best guess is I can not mix AGM and LiFe batteries in the same circuit to be charged by the controller. But I hope I'm wrong.

What is draining your batteries during the night. 200AH even 100AH should be enough for the coffee maker (one pot) for sure and the microwave will depend on the length of time. Maybe I am out to lunch on the amount of power needed

Best not to mix battery types. Wait until you need new batteries and then upgrade. You'll need Li compatible chargers. And then there is the truck charging to consider. Or a DC-DC Li charger. Consider switching to MPPT type solar charger.Maybe use a propane coffee pot in the meantime and propane for cooking etc.

How low are the existing batteries come morning?A 600w coffee maker should pull around 50amps for maybe 10min for a total consumption of around 8.5amp-hr. That seems quite reasonable off a 200amp-hr battery bank unless they are borderline covering the overnight consumption.As previously mentioned, mixing different battery types (doubly so with different ages) is not recommended.

Can the Renogy 30A PWM charger charge both the AGM batteries and LiFe battery at the same time?I have a Renogy 30A PWM connected to a single 100AH LFP with aligator clips so I can charge whatever battery or bank I want..I use this particular battery for coffee maker/microwave and hot plate and kept close to fully charged,it does the job..If I need more charging of something else.I just use the aligator clips on that battery bank...Weird maybe to some,but it works for me..So,yes you can use that controller on two different battery banks independently, but not at the same time with alligator clips or by just changing which batteries are connected to the Renogy. Good luck..

You are currently on the edge of adequate solar watts to battery amp hours. One to one is the minimum. I agree with campnghut, something in your system isn’t right.

Somewhat wacko battery/solar question | Good Sam Community

time2roll
Nomad
Sep 09, 2022
No don't mix those batteries. I would give it a go as is. Napkin calculation could be off a bit.
Go ahead and run hard on those AGM. Then switch to LFP when they are shot.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2022
You are currently on the edge of adequate solar watts to battery amp hours. One to one is the minimum. I agree with campnghut, something in your system isn’t right.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2022
Can the Renogy 30A PWM charger charge both the AGM batteries and LiFe battery at the same time?

I have a Renogy 30A PWM connected to a single 100AH LFP with aligator clips so I can charge whatever battery or bank I want..I use this particular battery for coffee maker/microwave and hot plate and kept close to fully charged,it does the job..If I need more charging of something else.I just use the aligator clips on that battery bank...Weird maybe to some,but it works for me..

So,yes you can use that controller on two different battery banks independently, but not at the same time with alligator clips or by just changing which batteries are connected to the Renogy.

Good luck..
valhalla360
Navigator
Sep 09, 2022
How low are the existing batteries come morning?

A 600w coffee maker should pull around 50amps for maybe 10min for a total consumption of around 8.5amp-hr. That seems quite reasonable off a 200amp-hr battery bank unless they are borderline covering the overnight consumption.

As previously mentioned, mixing different battery types (doubly so with different ages) is not recommended.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Sep 09, 2022
Best not to mix battery types. Wait until you need new batteries and then upgrade. You'll need Li compatible chargers. And then there is the truck charging to consider. Or a DC-DC Li charger. Consider switching to MPPT type solar charger.

Maybe use a propane coffee pot in the meantime and propane for cooking etc.
campinghut
Explorer
Sep 09, 2022
What is draining your batteries during the night. 200AH even 100AH should be enough for the coffee maker (one pot) for sure and the microwave will depend on the length of time. Maybe I am out to lunch on the amount of power needed

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Somewhat wacko battery/solar question

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