Could you expand this a bit please? I think I understand your reply but there were a couple other questions posed such as whether the situation of simultaneous charging/discharging is more damaging. Depending on the context I expect it could be - here is my thinking and feel free to correct as I don't have a ton of experience with this other than owning an electric/hybrid car.
I think you could have two or three contexts, in theory, to using solar power. First, it's perfect to top up your house batteries so long as you're not running an air fryer on the boat daily. That said, when you are low on stored power and looking for what you could get from solar or a gas generator to try to run the engine, solar and a generator will likely help, a bigger bank will also help to delay that scenario but unless you can charge from a slip, it will likely be hard to keep up with demand from what I've read. If your bank is seriously depleted and you keep going the power from a solar panel or generator or both will be flowing into a nearly completely depleted battery and if pulled off right away the battery will stay depleted- having power flow in and out at this low state might be damaging (? not a statement of fact). If this is the case is it better to charge an external battery and continuously deplete it or allow it to charge something and then discharge it?
On Sep 27, 2023, at 5:17 PM, Matt Foley <matt@sunlightconversions.com> wrote:
They are correct you can't! Not because it will damage the battery, it's just physically not possible. Energy is either flowing in or out.
If the load is greater than the charging source, it will pull from the source(s) simultaneously. If the load is less than the charging source, it will power the load and charge the battery.
You are fine. Happy motoring.
Matt Foley
Sunlight Conversions1-201-914-0466
ABYC Certified MarineElectrical Technician
On Sep 27, 2023, at 4:50 PM, rholden@orcon.net.nz wrote:
Hi All
Very fundamental beginner's question here.
I currently have a 160amp hour 48-volt closed cell battery bank running a thunderstruck 10KW motor and all works well. ( Looking forward to lithium in the future).
QUESTION: If I am charging the battery using solar panels - or in some cases a generator - can I run the motor at the same time?
There a several claims on Google search that you cannot charge and discharge a battery bank at the same time.
If you are running solar panels ( which I am about to install) - I can't imagine that you switch them off each time you want to run the motor.
Can someone please clarify if I can charge and discharge simultaneously, or will this damage the batteries or create other issues?
The expert help from this group is very much appreciated.
Richard
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