Two Battery Banks, One Trimetric
This may be a useful idea for some, who knows? I have two separate battery banks in the Class C, and want a Trimetric for each of them. But I only need one at a time. I already have one Trimetric...
Forum Discussion
I am just trying to set up the Class C so we can do as much off grid as with the 5er. I have a good collection of chargers and solar from before, so I can have two systems.
I can't combine my AGMs with the old Wets as one bank because the AGMs are inside too far away from the Wets outside, plus that would not be good for the newer AGMs if left banked with the old Wets very long. Some day I will have all AGMs in one bank doing it all, but this is now not then.
I have two different solar arrays each with its own controller, one on each bank. Same ones I had before with the 5er and TC. I have two converters, one on each bank for shore power.
I would re-charge each bank from the portable generator, using my 100 amp adjustable voltage PowerMax as a portable charger on the big bank, and the adjustable 55 amper on the AGMs (which is also their Float charger when on shore power.) I also have a Vector or two as spares.
I figure that the banks will not get down to 50% the same day, so it would be one at a time, but if needed I could do two at a time.
I did all this before in the 5er, only then I had the two T-1275s just on inverter and four 6s on the rest. Now I have the two AGMs on inverter and four Wets on the rest (two T-1275s and two 6s). Six batts is way overkill for summer when solar works, but is good in winter with no solar.
Only thing now is the Class C does not have the big open front bay like the 5er, so I can't get the Wets in where I can also get at them from above to check their water and do hydrometer work. These Wets are getting near to replacement, so that will be more AGMs simply because I would not need to get at them once tucked away. I can't do it with a battery tray either.
What's funny (or sad) is the rig came with a solar set that the original owner had installed in 1996. One 75w mono with 33 cells and an SC3/15 shunt controller. It appears to be wired down to the 12v connection at the back of the fridge to get at the battery bank. It cost him $771.40 at the time. (Sales slip still in the solar manual) I will leave that set there as it is not in the way and won't bother my solar.
I can't combine my AGMs with the old Wets as one bank because the AGMs are inside too far away from the Wets outside, plus that would not be good for the newer AGMs if left banked with the old Wets very long. Some day I will have all AGMs in one bank doing it all, but this is now not then.
I have two different solar arrays each with its own controller, one on each bank. Same ones I had before with the 5er and TC. I have two converters, one on each bank for shore power.
I would re-charge each bank from the portable generator, using my 100 amp adjustable voltage PowerMax as a portable charger on the big bank, and the adjustable 55 amper on the AGMs (which is also their Float charger when on shore power.) I also have a Vector or two as spares.
I figure that the banks will not get down to 50% the same day, so it would be one at a time, but if needed I could do two at a time.
I did all this before in the 5er, only then I had the two T-1275s just on inverter and four 6s on the rest. Now I have the two AGMs on inverter and four Wets on the rest (two T-1275s and two 6s). Six batts is way overkill for summer when solar works, but is good in winter with no solar.
Only thing now is the Class C does not have the big open front bay like the 5er, so I can't get the Wets in where I can also get at them from above to check their water and do hydrometer work. These Wets are getting near to replacement, so that will be more AGMs simply because I would not need to get at them once tucked away. I can't do it with a battery tray either.
What's funny (or sad) is the rig came with a solar set that the original owner had installed in 1996. One 75w mono with 33 cells and an SC3/15 shunt controller. It appears to be wired down to the 12v connection at the back of the fridge to get at the battery bank. It cost him $771.40 at the time. (Sales slip still in the solar manual) I will leave that set there as it is not in the way and won't bother my solar.
