Question/Advice

[Rollin Ollen]

It's time to upgrade to Lithium. I have a friend that suggested I use two 200 Amp Hour REDODO Batteries. I have very little knowledge about manufacturer quality. Any comments re this battery?

Redodo 12V 200Ah Plus Lithium Ion Battery | Deep Cycle Power

Get the reliable 12V 200Ah deep cycle battery for camping, solar systems, and boats. It's the perfect 200Ah lithium ion battery. Long-lasting power you can trust!

ca.redodopower.com

I have done a little research on my own, but again, my knowledge is very limited. I have looked at Renogy Core Series 12 - 200 Amp Hour and discovered that there are features that I think will be useful because we summer in Canada where temps can be pretty cool no matter what month it is plus it is Blue Tooth capable for monitoring.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...200Ah_20Core_20Battery_UM_A0.pdf?v=1751943170

The price difference is $531 for the Redodo and $699 Cdn for the Renogy. I'm okay with either price as long as the quality is there.

I have 4 roof mounted (tiltable) panels. Two 150 watt and two 200 watt so 700 watts total. I have one controller that is a Victron MPPT 100/30. I believe it is capable of handling Lithium. My coach runs on 50 Amps. Should I upgrade the controller to a Victron 100/50? The company that installed the two 200 watt panels for me installed the 100/30 controller without letting me know a 50 was available. And now I am confused. I also have a Samlex Solar SCC30AB mounted on a wall that came with the coach when I purchased it. It controlled the original two 150 watt panels. The coach came prewired for two sets of panels. Both are being used.

30 Amp Solar Charge Controller | SCC-30AB | Samlex America

Surely I don't need two controllers do I? The one mounted on the wall gives me readings and the one mounter in the battery compartment is also lit up. See pics I built a cage for the Victron as it is mounted in the battery compartment. I also keep my leveling blocks in there so I just added some protection.

I also know that I will need a DC to DC charger. Renogy list one with MPPT. and Redodo list one as well. I strongly suspect the charger is not compatible with other batteries so one would go with the one built by the battery manufacturer.

Any suggestions will be appreciated. Just an FYI I will not be doing the installation. I will have someone a little more savy than me do it.

Thanks in advance

 

[Neal]

Will's forum here is a good source of knowledge for Lithium's. Some here have installed on their own, I used Solar Energy Systems in Nappanee, IN to do mine.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

You definitely need the two controllers.

A 30a controller is good for 360w of panel, so one needs to be a 40a minum.

One controller for different rated panels, will work,but in a negative manner. The only way it could be configured would mean upgrading both controllers. Doing controller to at least a 60a controller could make one controller function, but only in a serial/ parallel configuration.

I personally would use 2 controllers.

As far as lithium? Look up Will's channel on YouTube for what he has reviewed. I no longer comment on that battery type.