neighbors sharing PV charge [RE-wrenches]

[Bruce Geddes]

Hi Eric,
            The device that springs to mind would be a dual battery charging
system as used in some mobile homes.  I know these are availble in 12 & 24V
but 48V?

The other solution that may work would be to use one C40 or similar in
diversion control mode, then when battery 1 is charged it will dump into
battery 2.  The problem is diversion control relies on the diversion load to
limit current and a flat battery is a very low impedence and a charged
battery a good current source so the C40 goes up in smoke unless you can
limit current somehow.  You would then also need a diversion controller on
battery 2 to dump once both are charged.

I once looked into this for a customer that wanted to run 2 batteries, 2
inverters and charge from multiple common sources (wind, solar and hydro).
I tried to get info from then Trace about finding a pin on the C40 that
would change state when battery 1 is charged and use this to trigger a
contactor or such but I gave up in the end and split the charge sources.

Good luck and if you find a solution I would be interested to hear of it.

Bruce Geddes
PowerOn


----- Original Message -----
From: "Rainshadow" <solar at rockisland.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 12:14 PM
Subject: neighbors sharing PV charge [RE-wrenches]


>
> Howdy wrenches,
>
> Does anyone have any experience with using a single PV array to charge two
somewhat distantly separated battery banks?  We built a system for a weekend
cabin up here last year and now the guy's neighbor wants to install his own
battery and inverter system but tie in to the existing array for charging.
There is room on the rack to expand to cover both their needs and it would
be difficult to site a new array for neighbor #2.  They are good friends and
want to share resources.
>
> I thought about using the C-40 in load control mode to float battery #1
and then dump the charging current to another C-40 at battery #2.  But it
seems like there might be a better solution.
>
> Its a 48V system and the distances are reasonable, so voltage drop should
not be a concern.
>
> Any suggestions?  Thanks,
>
> Eric Youngren
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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