12V, 24V, or 48V Battery for Off-Grid Solar Power

This guide will be about choosing the right battery voltage. Whether you're setting up an RV solar system or looking to optimize your off-grid power, understanding the difference between 12V, 24V, and 48V systems is crucial for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

In this video, we'll explore:

- Battery Bank Voltage Considerations: Learn how to select the optimal battery voltage for your needs. Whether it's a 12V, 24V, or 48V system, each has its unique advantages in terms of efficiency and application.
- Inverter Size Recommendations: Discover the ideal inverter sizes for different battery voltages - from 1000W inverters for 12V systems to 5000W for 48V systems. We discuss why these limits matter, focusing on current limitations.
- Cost Implications: Understand how higher voltage systems can lead to significant savings in wire costs and charge controllers. We provide a comprehensive comparison, including cost analysis and practical examples.
- Efficiency Gains: Delve into how increased battery voltage leads to lower conversion losses and more efficient energy usage.
- Addressing Voltage Sag: We'll cover the often-overlooked topic of voltage sag when drawing high currents from your battery, crucial for system stability.
- Battery Power Myths Debunked: We break down common misconceptions about battery power, explaining how battery capacity works across different voltages.
- Special Focus on RV Systems: Get tailored recommendations for RV solar systems, including why 12V and 24V systems might be more advantageous than 48V in certain situations.

Whether you're deciding between 12V vs 24V or 12V vs 48V for your solar setup, this video provides the essential knowledge you need. Don't forget to check out my book "Off Grid Solar Power" for more in-depth insights.

00:00 Introduction
00:28 Client case
00:58 Recommendations
01:39 Wire cost
02:50 Charge Controller
03:37 Increased efficiency
04:20 Voltage sag
05:11 Batteries
06:09 Disadvantages
07:54 Recommendations for RV

[fruitfulsmart]

I am using 2000w Modified Inverter with 2 x 12.8v 100Ah ea Gel Batteries in parallel, charging with solar panels, connected with 50A Controller I use this system to power my 170L Fridge on a daily basis + Charging Phones, Laptop. I started to use the system October 2023 till today and I can say that it is working effectively.

[buddhimaamarasinghe]

"I found the video you shared to be extremely valuable. Thank you very much for taking the time to share your knowledge."

[danieltoledo]

I went with the 12v 2kw inverter and its been running fine for half a year or so. I max it out sometimes running a table saw. Keeps most of my led powered. All year long Merry Cristo Mas Lights!

[TrentTheTraveler]

This is hands down the best video on this topic. Thank you for posting this!

[synthwave]

Your video explains it very well. Thanks. I also used an inverter and a deep cycle 12V battery - The inverter burned out after a year and the battery did not last long. 12 Volt systems are not designed for large loads or Watts no matter how you wire it.

[cowpiecowboy]

Subbed and definitely buying that book! Love the way you pause for a second after each statement it gives me time to soak it in. Other channels talk so fast like they on their 4th Red Bull. Just cause they know don’t mean I know. I really appreciate your self sponsored videos made me lol . Thanks again and I’ll be sure to like them all

[tweedeldee]

XLNT! I settled on 24v for my small project. Would have liked to do 48v but my initial 2 panel start wouldn't produce over 48v. I have 6 RV panels but ended up with two charge controllers. Gotta love Victron and the way the two controllers and smart shunt all talk to each other. 2 panels on a moveable angle adjustable cart feeding a 100/20. 4 panels fixed angle on roof feeding a 150/35. I wanted to experiment with angle and position of the cart and see if it generated more (or less) than 50% of the roof panels by moving it throughout the day and adjusting angle for the season. Now in the winter I'm really seeing significant differences moving and angle adjusting makes.

[shmayazuggot]

Good video though I would add the number one benifit of higher volts is lower current which IS lower resistance resulting in lower HEAT POTENTIAL! A lot of new chargers can do all three 12/24/48v. I’d suggest to anyone dabbling in this area for the first time start at 12v for a few months until your confident to shift up to 24v and home run on 48v.. 12v is safer getting your feet wet.

[sun-sea-solar]

Took me a while to go over to 48v, starting at 12v then 24v. Because i wanted to learn. I've learnt a lot. But my 48v system is new, just one 48v 50ah lifepo4 at the moment. But it's scalable

[neomatrix]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge I have learned a lot I love solar I started with a 12 volt system I've upgraded to a 24 volt system and now I'm going to upgrade to a high voltage 24 volt system

[AfricanUrbanGardener-jl]

I subscribed! I love the way you explain everything clearly and how you calculate everything. You make a simple person like me understand everything. I made a lot of mistakes when i set up y solar system initially. Now I see what I must correct too. Keep up the good work!

[zombie]

I think the advantages of 48 volt systems far outweigh the disadvantages by far, from what I've learned about them 😊

[gemstone]

that server rack actually has 16 3.2V batteries in series, making it 51.2V total, so it is technically more batteries even if it does act as one

[hemantpainter]

should I buy a 48 v 280 amh battery to power freezer and refrigerator and smaller appliances. What size inverter for that?

[sun-sea-solar]

Unfortunately I didn't realise my 48v battery from renogy was a 15s not a 16s, that extra cell makes a big difference to capacity. My battery is new and only settles at 50volts after charging to 54v. Doesn't seem right to me

[Brian-ausie]

Hello Nick, in Australia 48v is apparently illegal for diy as there can be up to 60v at the the panels, so 24v is a diy option

[greaterbw]

Thank you for the video I’ve been kind of confused about that and this completely made sense and cleared it up. I’m researching doing a whole home off grid system without spending ridiculous money. I’m sure I won’t need more than 10kwh for just two people. I’ll check out your other videos 👍

[Shaibuli]

Maybe it could be added that 50V is the regulatory limit for low-voltage at least in some EU countries and 48V systems can go over that limit. This also means that officially you would need to hire an certified electrician to do the installation, which means any cost calculations going out the window. You can of course still do it yourself, but if your cabin/rv burns down for ANY reason, good luck explaining your DIY wiring job to the insurance company.

[gregorychileshe]

Thanks for sharing information. C
Plaese, can you make a video on the calculations of specific MCB and SPD?

[HybridBattery]

Sterling power sells a 12v-> 48v charger for automotive use. Also, a secondary 48v alternator is a common way to charge a 48v system. 48v 100a alternators put out 5000W which is good for charging large 48v batteries.