TheBackShed.com

Forum Index : Other Stuff : Wiring up multiple Batteries

Author

Message

Bryan1

Guru

Joined: 22/02/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 1344

Posted: 08:37pm 09 Oct 2014

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

G'day Guy's,
I'm using the time out of work to get the new shed finished so the new power room is under construction.

OK the batterybanks
1 off 24 volt 600AH wet cell
1 off 24 volt 600AH 10 year old sonnenscheins
also getting a 48 volt 635AH pack which I'll split in 2 to get
2 off 24 volt 635AH

So that is going to give me 4 off banks and the idea is to charge the banks off line so they can get the full charge under no load.

I can get multi pole 500AMP DC switch's from the 12 volt shop so I was thinking of making the negative connection for all the banks common then use the positive on the switch's. One switch will be for load and the other for charging and setup globes to show which bank is connected.

For the charging side I currently use a 7kva honda crap genset powering a 80 amp Staff & Standbury Traction charger and down the track will get a 3 phase 110 amp traction charger. That ol' 15Kva 3 phase genset I have will be powered by a listeroid 10hp engine.

Anyway does that connection setup sound right to you guys ?

Regards Bryan

Edited by Bryan1 2014-10-11

Tinker

Guru

Joined: 07/11/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1904

Posted: 12:37am 10 Oct 2014

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Just a comment about using multi pole 500A DC switches Bryan.
If this was my setup I would use multiple single pole switches, much more flexible. The ones that have the removable red key to work them. You might find them cheaper on e-bay or a marine gear place called 'Withworths'. You can remove the key in the off position so nobody else can mess with your set up.

I found the 12V shop to be on the expensive side.

Klaus

brucedownunder2
Guru

Joined: 14/09/2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 1548

Posted: 11:33am 10 Oct 2014

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Hi Bryan

I made this up for the load side ,I have 4X battery banks also..

For the charging I feed the solar through the same switch that i select on the day for the load . All banks are slightly different in size and type of battery ,so it's charge one bank at a time ,along with using it at the same time . Works well, but I'm thinking,actually have allmost installed it, of a seperate rotary switch to charge ANY of the 4 banks, completly independant of that big load switching panel.

Those switches are about , $18 on fleabay.

A bit tricky mounting them , I wanted to parallel their output side ,but the little red handle in the "on" position is vertical --sort of confusing,you think this is the "off" position. But only I am allowed in this workshop.

Bruce

Bushboy

Georgen
Guru

Joined: 13/09/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 462

Posted: 02:00pm 10 Oct 2014

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

What is the correct name for those switches?

I found something like this for about $12 :

"100A Car Battery Isolator Switch Off Cut Out 12V 24V Max 500A with Key"

George

brucedownunder2
Guru

Joined: 14/09/2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 1548

Posted: 10:01pm 10 Oct 2014

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Hi george,

Yes, your find is probably the same ..

But one thing I've found with cheap plastic stuff -- they look the same ,but the plastic material is sort of softer,cheaper,flimsy. The metal work, these magical imitation cheap guys can even turn tin/steel to look just like the real copper or brass like the more expensive gear.

Been there, done that ,lol.

Bruce

Bushboy

Tinker

Guru

Joined: 07/11/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1904

Posted: 10:47pm 10 Oct 2014

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

As I mentioned, I got these switches from a marine mailorder place, the price is similar as mentioned above.
They are supposed to handle 500A, the connector studs at the back certainly look up to it. But I would not turn it off if 500A pass the terminals.

Before connecting anything make sure the terminal stud does not wiggle, the lower brass nuts might need to be tightened a little. Then use two spanners to tighten your cable lug.

Klaus

brucedownunder2
Guru

Joined: 14/09/2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 1548

Posted: 04:30am 17 Mar 2018

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

yes, very important with these battery banks --

DO NOT SWITCH OFF IF YOU HAVE A BIG LOAD IN THE CIRCUIT -SWITCH OFF POWER CONSUMING EQUIPTMENT FIRST --

MY STUFF IS ALL 48 VOLTS ,SO I GET AWAY WITH MEDIUM LOADS , BUT YOU GUYS WITH 24 AND 12 VOLT BATTERY BANKS , SWITCH YOUR BIG LOADS OFF BEFORE OPERATING THESE SWITCHES.

Bruce

Bushboy

Print this page

To reply to this topic, you need to log in.