DIY SOLAR Battery Banks - Parallel? Series? Both??: What, Why & HOW! Beginner Friendly

An in-depth HOW-TO on Parallel VS Serial Battery Bank configurations for people just getting started in Solar battery storage.

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[danielgjb]

Want to make a comment without sounding like I am criticizing. I have worked as a mechanic for years. Best safety advice when working with batteries. To avoid shorting the terminals when connecting or disconnecting batteries. When connecting Always connect the Negative terminals last. When disconnecting Always disconnect the Negative terminals first. Less chance of accidently making contact with the metal wrench and causing shorts.

[meilyn]

Nobody explains it like you do. You are the best at explaining stuff.

[mannys]

There is no doubt that your explainations are the best. I love the pace at which you explain the details. You never rush; you are clear and concise. After viewing any of your videos, I walk away with more understanding than I do with channels with similar content. I watch many wonderful YouTube channel that do all sorts of product reviews and they do them well, but there is something awesome about your style. You don't over do it; awesome.

[Ricardofromage]

I'd had a read through on line about a 2s2p set up, my mercedes vario conversion is a 24v system to start with, so it just made sense to stay at 24v, elastic trickery has never been my strong suit. Hearing the systems explained in layman's terms is really useful, thank you for a great video, I confirms what I'd already read, but being a nervous kinda chap around electrics, having the confirmation in layman's terms is awesome, thank you

[christopheranderson]

To get the most longevity out of your inverter you should mount it so the fans are blowing up. This works with the natural ability of heat rising and will lower the operating temperature of the inverter making it last the longest time possible before failure. Great informative video!

[rl]

All good and clear info. I'd like to see more about wire size to use, crimping tools and method.
Many thanks!

[colincoxwhichnet]

Best presentation and approach.

I TOTALLY AGREE with all folks with positive comments.. OVERVIEW, THEORY, WHAT, WHY, HOW. SUMMARY REVIEW.

Two old approaches, Answer the following 1. WHAT WHY HOW WHERE WHEN, 2. AND THEN TELL THEM WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO TELL TELL THEM.... TELL THEM WHAT YOU TOLD THEM . very simple but rarely achieved. You nailed it every time. Big thanks.

[Mike.Caimbeul]

Another excellent explanation. As always, straight forward without any nonsense. Many thanks.

[EQUALS-INFINITY]

I thank you from Mexico Sir. This video has helped me a lot.

[zron]

That was one of the best, easiest explanations I have heard. Nice job explaining

[davidpotter]

I used twenty big marine batteries. They're in 24 volts hookup. I used #2 welding leads on all battery connections. I have been off the grid for two years. I used an Aims 2000 watts inverter charger, 24 volts. I have 1400 watts of solar panels. I also bought a 600 watts wind generator last November. It helped a bunch last winter. I'm showing 24.8 volts at 6 a.m. I think I had six batteries when I bought the Aims Power inverter charger. It didn't start acting right until I hit 16 batteries. It's working good now with twenty. I had one battery go bad last summer in the heat wave. I couldn't get to it to check the acid in it. It shorted out and I replaced it a few months ago. I had to buy a 31 series because they don't make the 29 dp-dl anymore. My setup works okay. I ran the air conditioner off of it four hours yesterday. My inverter has a dip switch that changes the low voltage setting from 22 to 24 volts. I don't use the higher setting. If the voltage drops below 24.0, it wants to turn the charger on. I think that setting is for the batteries like you're showing here. I use the lower setting so that I don't need the gas generator. I have 25, 000 watt hours. I built my system to run a small house or cabin. And to let me be able to build one. Well I enjoyed reading the comments. I'm at that point. I have enough batteries to go to 48 volts, but probably won't. The inverter would cost too much for me. Im on social security. And I would need another charge controller to have any more solar panels hooked up. Im using a 4215 BN, Epever 40 amps, 24 volts. Im pushing 34.5 amps through it around noon or one. Adding two more panels would put me right at 40 amps. Id rather not run it right on the edge of overload. The inverter charger Im using has went up from $769 to $995 since I bought mine. I had a 15% off coupon and mine cost $653. I had to replace the power and control boards in it once, after I ran a welder with it building my wood stove. I bought a Winco Lil Dog 3000 generator to run the welder after that. Well I got to look at the insides of the inverter charger. It has a heavy transformer. I thought maybe it could do it. I blew the tops off of five of the MOSFETs. Cost me about $400 to fix it. It's been working okay the last year and a half. I replaced the temp sensor in it too. It has to be in one exact spot to work right. Even if you turn it just a little bit, it changes how it acts. I was going to get a 3000 watts inverter but they were sold out of them at the time. I thought a 4000 watts was too high. And they're split phase. I've gotten used to this old single phase. I have a spare 2000 watts inverter but it's 12 volts, sucks amps. I use it in the pickup once in awhile. It doesn't matter about the amps, I just leave it running. I bought a bigger battery last year and enlarged the battery box a little bit. I put a 900 amps battery back in it. It works pretty well with that inverter. It just rained, clearing out, my system is making 789 watts.

[amanda]

I know this is an old video, but i just have to say...of all the MANY videos I've watched on this subject, this one has by far been the most helpful. Not only did you explain the process in theory, but you also put it into real life application. Thank you so much.

[ThinkSimply]

THANK YOU for doing the watt hour test with the same device on 12v and 24v. this question has been driving me nuts lol!!!! so its supposed to be the same.... slightly more efficient with the 24v (because the invert runs closer to 95% efficient)

[mrgraham]

When connecting in series, use batteries of same capacity otherwise balance issues can arise, even with lead acid.If the set goes flat, then the polarity of the weakness battery may reverse. I build orr grid systems as a hobby, being a qualified electrical engineer for more than 50yrs. Like your video, great for beginner's.

[Desertphile]

The maximum number of batteries connected depends upon what the manufacturers say. Usually this is 4S4P, with battery balancers and parallel chargers. Also, if someone follows your advice, they should get Bluetooth batteries so that they can monitor what each battery is doing.

[ronaldjorgensen]

thank you for your persistence each one

[thefrankperspective]

You have no idea how long it took to find a “why” video. Nicely done

[crazihorse]

well presented clears many doubts that I had thanks

[lilblackduc]

All good tips & tricks! I especially liked that you proved a 24-volt inverter is more efficient than the 12-volt. Thank you...🇺🇸 😎👍☕

[mopikozz]

what is the 12 volt charger u have in the start of the video? mind recommending it