24V or 48V system vs. 12V??

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24V or 48V system vs. 12V??

Postby mnswamp » Tue Oct 19, 2021 11:37 am

I am considering using a 24V, 100AH solar and storage configuration (LiFePo4, 8s2p) instead of straight 12v. I would still have a converter to step down to 12V for all the stuff that does require 12, and obviously an inverter for 120v needs. For anyone who has done this, does the math pay off? Straight 12v is probably simpler, but I'm not afraid of an additional module or wiring complexity. Plus routing and terminating and fusing 2-4ga copper is much easier than doing it for 00ga!
Thanks
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Re: 24V or 48V system vs. 12V??

Postby John61CT » Tue Oct 19, 2021 1:39 pm

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Re: 24V or 48V system vs. 12V??

Postby popper » Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:23 pm

For me it would depend on what kind of discount on components I could get.. From what the smart folks say it sounds like either would work fine. I have seen some pretty neat dc-dc step down components on ebay for peanuts.
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Re: 24V or 48V system vs. 12V??

Postby featherliteCT1 » Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:16 pm

John61CT,

Thanks for posting that informative link from the skoolie forum … lots of good info.
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Re: 24V or 48V system vs. 12V??

Postby Squigie » Tue Oct 19, 2021 11:28 pm

popper wrote:For me it would depend on what kind of discount on components I could get.. From what the smart folks say it sounds like either would work fine. I have seen some pretty neat dc-dc step down components on ebay for peanuts.

On eBay (and Amazon), you often get less than what you pay for, if you go cheap.
Something to keep in mind...
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Re: 24V or 48V system vs. 12V??

Postby John61CT » Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:48 am

Yes price is not a good factor to prioritize.

Value is, especially robust reliability, longevity.

Cheap Chinese needs to be derated by a lot, if it says 80A then maybe it will last six months at 20A
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Re: 24V or 48V system vs. 12V??

Postby popper » Wed Oct 20, 2021 2:46 pm

Agreed on the cheap non branded items, however I have found highly discounted prices on quality brand nos (or used) dc-dc parts in the past. I am sure others could do the same. Ebay is wonderful for looking for those kinds of things.

Just as an example.. this is under $50. Of course one would have to wait for the right spec unit to show up, but they do show up once in a while if you are patient.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/321667036229

For surplus or used things you are unlikely to find at local sources ebay can be wonderful.
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Re: 24V or 48V system vs. 12V??

Postby Shadow Catcher » Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:03 pm

8377183773
I can not see a point for a 24V system, now a high voltage panel makes sense coupled with an MPPT controller. 48V panel has been up there for 10 years.
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Re: 24V or 48V system vs. 12V??

Postby John61CT » Thu Oct 21, 2021 5:09 am

popper wrote:Just as an example.. this is under $50. Of course one would have to wait for the right spec unit to show up, but they do show up once in a while if you are patient.


Yes Vicor is good stuff, but the bare modules are not consumer-ready, need soldering components, wiring connectors, fusing etc

I have been buying 48V units by the dozen but don't know how to use them yet.
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