Now that's funny!!! Perfect timing!!!or at least fire insurance on your shed lol
The batteries are in a closet on a metal bread rack to keep them off the concrete.
Are you using AGM batteries for your off grid setup? Every agm battery I tried is typically dead by end of year 3. I’m seeing that good quality Lithium Iron Phosphate (LifeP04) batteries have more capacity and can be a decent deal if bought in bulk (and the cell quality is good).Been living off grid for over 10 years, got 16KW of panels, over 2000 Ah of batteries. As others have suggested I would go with an agm style battery, no maintenance like flooded cell and for your use a lot cheaper than lithium. Series six volt batteries to get your operating voltage. I think you will find you are a bit short with only one 200W panel, but that may depend more upon electrical usage during the day besides charging.
No I am using flooded forklift batteries. Currently I am using 4 - 24v 1200 AH batteries in a series parallel configuration for a 48V system. Like you agm batteries seem rather short lived but this here is a very harsh environment for batteries with the high temperatures, SW Texas. Lithium batteries are becoming more common here and with them come stories of fires, bulging cases, and very early failure. I don't have first hand knowledge except in one instance so I don't know if it's because of improper installation/settings or the nature of the beast. A friend who swore by them has had an early failure and is now switching to forklift batteries.Are you using AGM batteries for your off grid setup? Every agm battery I tried is typically dead by end of year 3. I’m seeing that good quality Lithium Iron Phosphate (LifeP04) batteries have more capacity and can be a decent deal if bought in bulk (and the cell quality is good).
Im kind of neutral on the solar panel stuff, but it does interest me. Mainly I don’t want to waste a bunch of money on something that half works as expected. With that said, what is a marginal amount to spend in order to run something in the home and see any payback on it? Even if its just the hot water heater and a couple lights and ceiling fans? Is it better to buy several small inverters or one big single expensive one. Controller as well? Does the panels/batts go bad any faster or slower not being used, or is it a deterioration on a curve as the panels/batts being used and amount of load, or no difference? I know batteries just sitting will go bad, too.
I don't think you'll find any savings in running an electric water heater off solar.Im kind of neutral on the solar panel stuff, but it does interest me. Mainly I don’t want to waste a bunch of money on something that half works as expected. With that said, what is a marginal amount to spend in order to run something in the home and see any payback on it? Even if its just the hot water heater and a couple lights and ceiling fans? Is it better to buy several small inverters or one big single expensive one. Controller as well? Does the panels/batts go bad any faster or slower not being used, or is it a deterioration on a curve as the panels/batts being used and amount of load, or no difference? I know batteries just sitting will go bad, too.
Im more along the lines of having options, in the event the power goes down or needing heating besides on grid. Just an extra layer of protection or some sorts. I get it, it’s why I haven’t even attempted it, because the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. Figure a fireplace is better option, since it simpler and just requires hard work.I don't think you'll find any savings in running an electric water heater off solar.
That's a big draw item when it's heating. It would take a large system to keep a 40 gallon heater going.