This is not true. Large solar and RV systems have multiple batteries in a parallel arrangement. There are no current loops that all of a sudden develop from batteries in parallel.Batteries in parallel also need to be isolated from each other when not in use. If not, they set up a current loop and drain each other.
This is not true. Large solar and RV systems have multiple batteries in a parallel arrangement. There are no current loops that all of a sudden develop from batteries in parallel..
Yes. In theory you could go smaller since, assuming equal batteries, only half the current is flowing through it but there is no point in doing that.Is it safe to assume that two batteries would be wired in parallel with cable that matches the heaviest gauge cable used elsewhere in the system?
I agree....that's what I would do too. Get a big fuse box with lots of fuses and do homeruns to your light circuits. When you want to add another circuit later, it's easy. The bigger the wire used, less likely it is to get damaged. You don't really need to worry much about voltage drop with LED lights..they draw so little current.My wire between the batteries are the same as regular starter/battery cables, from there I run 10 gauge to the fuse block and then wire the lights up with 12 or 14 gauge wire,
If you haven't bought batteries yet, seriously think about 2 6V Trojan golf cart batteries in series or go with what you have until they die and switch it up to the 6V in series after that. That's what most RVers do.
Will the solar panels be free of snow? A fully charged lead acid battery can go to -92?F before freezing.Another question: winter storage. We close our cabin for six months or so... winter temps regularly hit sub-zero (F) and can stay well below freezing for extended periods of time. Can I leave the batteries hooked up to the solar panel/charge controller over winter or am I better off making sure they are fully charged and install a disconnect switch?
An alternative are the golf cart batteries they sell at Sams Club.Yikes, those things are pricy! They have a version with thicker plates just for renewable energy applications, and they are even more expensive. I think the Trojan batteries may have to be part of version 2.0 of my solar project...