BruceK
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Conventional battery chargers can serve up to 3 banks, catering for the requirements of each, though they probably have to be the same battery type.
As far as I can tell,solar controllers in general serve one bank. That`s how I wired my modest set up, using 2 controllers. You could wire one controller to 2 banks, but how would the controller distinguish, I expect both banks would receive the needs of the inferior one.
I found, by online searching, 20A controllers that can serve 2 banks, but nothing larger. 10A per bank is not even the rule of thumb 10% of capacity for many batteries, and it limits the controller to 240watts of panel. While searching I found a number of mono 200watt panels for around $200AUD, they have certainly become cheaper, which encourages upsizing the panel array.
I also found some online discussion, incl at CF, but it was quite limited.
You could use a Blue Seas type switch between banks, but something which does what a mains charger does, 2+ banks simultaneously, is better.
Has anyone found higher amp multi bank controllers? Any other ideas for getting around it? At this stage I`m working in theory, no identified boat that I`m trying to fit out with solar.
As far as I can tell,solar controllers in general serve one bank. That`s how I wired my modest set up, using 2 controllers. You could wire one controller to 2 banks, but how would the controller distinguish, I expect both banks would receive the needs of the inferior one.
I found, by online searching, 20A controllers that can serve 2 banks, but nothing larger. 10A per bank is not even the rule of thumb 10% of capacity for many batteries, and it limits the controller to 240watts of panel. While searching I found a number of mono 200watt panels for around $200AUD, they have certainly become cheaper, which encourages upsizing the panel array.
I also found some online discussion, incl at CF, but it was quite limited.
You could use a Blue Seas type switch between banks, but something which does what a mains charger does, 2+ banks simultaneously, is better.
Has anyone found higher amp multi bank controllers? Any other ideas for getting around it? At this stage I`m working in theory, no identified boat that I`m trying to fit out with solar.