Battery charging and solar panel set up.

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Hunter26
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Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by Hunter26 »

Sorry if this is the wrong place,still trying to navigate here.

Can anyone send me. 2 drawing to :

1) Charge 3 batteries in a vehicle with equipment required ie vehicle and 2 others from the vehicles alternator..

2) A solar charging panel and equipment to charge 2 batteries ie vehicle and auxillary battery.

Thanking you kindly.
Craig

Craig
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ChrisF
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Re: Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by ChrisF »

Craig is that the primary battery plus two additional batteries at the back ?


Will the two at the back be in parallel, or service different loads ??? This is pretty important to plan the correct system.
Hunter26
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Re: Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by Hunter26 »

ChrisF wrote:Craig is that the primary battery plus two additional batteries at the back ?


Will the two at the back be in parallel, or service different loads ??? This is pretty important to plan the correct system.
Hi Chris

First set of diagrams I need is a solar panel set up to charge Primary and secondary batteries off solar panels as what is done when people are overlanding.ie when traveling vehicle charges Prim and secondary batteries but when in camp solar takes over.

second set of diagrams : alternator is to charge primary battery and 2 other secondary batteries off same alternator when traveling. Which ever is cheaper to design and build ie parallel connected (12v) or series connect (24v). This is needed for site as the two batteries in the back of bakkie will be needed to jump start machinery in the field. A change over switch will be connected to the batteries where ,if a vehicle has 24v the switch will connect the batteries into series and if the vehicle is 12v then switch will connect the 2 batteries into parallel (12v).

I need components to buy and ratings of components needed,make of components, Sorry I am not an electronic guru.
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Re: Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by subok »

So you want the two different circuits installed simultaneously and be able to switch between overlanding mode and jump-start mode?
I am sure the gurus are busy drawing diagrams with fuses, thick cables, connectors etc as we speak. An interesting topic - subscribed...
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Re: Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by Hunter26 »

subok wrote:So you want the two different circuits installed simultaneously and be able to switch between overlanding mode and jump-start mode?
I am sure the gurus are busy drawing diagrams with fuses, thick cables, connectors etc as we speak. An interesting topic - subscribed...
One application is for one vehicle ie solar panel set up for my Dads vehicle.

The other is for a work vehicle in the field.

Craig
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Re: Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by subok »

Craig, do a search for 'Electrickery' - ChrisF wrote good articles which will guide you on the overlanding setup.
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Re: Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by Hunter26 »

Great,thanks

Craig
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Re: Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by subok »

Craig, it sits here.
http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sho ... p?t=187502" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The issue with 12v/24v switching is higher grade stuff:oops:
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Re: Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by ChrisF »

Craig I think most of what you need for "overlanding" is dealth with here:
http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sho ... p?t=187502" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And here -
viewtopic.php?f=41&t=37810" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Charging batteries for field use - the solution depends on the money you want to spend vs the surety you need in the field ....

PERSONALLY -
on the line supplying your primary Mark 4 Power Panel put an extra Brad Harrison plug - now you can connect another one or 12A HCdP chargers to the front (check the wire size - IF you are sticking with using one OR the other then the 10mm2 wire is okay).

Now make up mobile battery boxes - one for the primary setup, and one extra unit .. using brad harison plugs it should be easy to remove these batteries. You are ready for a 12V jump in the field.


for 24V jump .... uhm .... think that will take some in field rewiring to put them in series ....
Hunter26
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Re: Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by Hunter26 »

ChrisF wrote:Craig I think most of what you need for "overlanding" is dealth with here:
http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sho ... p?t=187502" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And here -
viewtopic.php?f=41&t=37810" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Charging batteries for field use - the solution depends on the money you want to spend vs the surety you need in the field ....

PERSONALLY -
on the line supplying your primary Mark 4 Power Panel put an extra Brad Harrison plug - now you can connect another one or 12A HCdP chargers to the front (check the wire size - IF you are sticking with using one OR the other then the 10mm2 wire is okay).

Now make up mobile battery boxes - one for the primary setup, and one extra unit .. using brad harison plugs it should be easy to remove these batteries. You are ready for a 12V jump in the field.


for 24V jump .... uhm .... think that will take some in field rewiring to put them in series ....
Thanks a million Chris, I'm just absorbing your first Electrical Thesus,very well written and so understandable. I will continue to read further on the other threads . thanks so much.
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Re: Battery charging and solar panel set up.

Post by GI Jane »

Hey Chris, just read and tried to understand to the best of my ability the post on the electrical setup on the 4x4 comm forum... It is very informative thanks, and I think I understand most of it... Off to Kagalagadi next month (yes in those temps with 4x4 trailer, solar panels, fridges etc... and hope above all hope that I don't land up having to drink warm water or throw away tons of defrosted, rotten food.... eish... maybe when I take my hilux and trailer to Hoppy at the beginning of next week you can pop around there and check whether it is all wired up properly... :beg: :beg: :beg: :beg: In anticipation... Oh and Hoppy never did the wiring for my trailer batteries, fridge, and solar panel, it was done by the trailer people....(but who knows if they did it correctly???????)
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