12v -v- 24v -v- 48v

[TheMobileWanderer]

Making a plan for my electrical system and some Internet reading leads me to think I should do a 24v system.

Reasoning:
1. I shall be fitting an induction hob
2. I shall be fitting aircon
3. Wiring can be longer and thinner without issue
4. More usable power can be stored eg 100Ah at 24v gives more output than q00Ah at 12v. That should mean I can avoid a batteries upgrade and instead purchase a 24v - 12v invertor. (Cheaper)

Am I correct?
What other aspects should I consider?
Cost isn't the main concern. Value is the main concern.

 

[AdrianChen]

If starting from scratch, I would be very likely to choose 24v. Doubt there is very many components, if any that you can't get in 24v versions. If that were also true for 48v and all was readily available I would go with that. It's a few years back when I last looked, but back then even thoough 24v parts were available, not everyone stocked them. Some elements were available in 48v but cost more and normally had to be ordered rather than off the shelf - probably better now though....

P.S. Are you using a proprietary distribution system like Schaudt or CBE, or wiring your own panel?

 

[mikash]

4. More usable power can be stored eg 100Ah at 24v gives more output than q00Ah at 12v. That should mean I can avoid a batteries upgrade and instead purchase a 24v - 12v invertor. (Cheaper)

100Ah @ 24V = 200Ah @ 12V as far as energy capacity in Wh goes, but it i s also about the same size, weight and cost. In fact you could make a 100Ah 24V battery bank out of 2x 100Ah 12V batteries. So no significant benefit in cost or energy density gained.

 

[Carpmart]

48v all day if starting from scratch.

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

100Ah @ 24V = 200Ah @ 12V as far as energy capacity in Wh goes, but it i s also about the same size, weight and cost. In fact you could make a 100Ah 24V battery bank out of 2x 100Ah 12V batteries. So no significant benefit in cost or energy density gained.

Ok. Thanks. Still learning. Assuming each is 100Ah, I was thinking 2 x 12v joined in serial would store more of usable power (24v) than 2 x 12v in parallel (12v). That made me think i could use 2 serial batteries to store the same juice as 4 x 12v parallel and the saving of 2 batteries was greater than the, then, necessary cost of upgraded charge controller and power invertor etc.

Does any of that actually make sense?
If not I'll draw my plan and seek guidance.

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[mikash]

Ok. Thanks. Still learning. Assuming each is 100Ah, I was thinking 2 x 12v joined in serial would store more of usable power (24v) than 2 x 12v in parallel (12v). That made me think i could use 2 serial batteries to store the same juice as 4 x 12v parallel and the saving of 2 batteries was greater than the, then, necessary cost of upgraded charge controller and power invertor etc.

Does any of that actually make sense?
If not I'll draw my plan and seek guidance.

It's the same amount of energy stored whether the two batteries are in series or in parallel. Ah's are always in relation to the voltage. Between different voltagers you have to compare the watt hours instead. So 100Ah @ 12V = 1200Wh, 2 x 100Ah @ 12V in parallel = 200Ah * 12V = 2400Wh and 2 x 100Ah @ 12V in series = 100Ah * 24V = 2400Wh. So whether they're in series or paralle, they are equally sized battery banks, physically as well as in energy capacity.