HEPL!
Ready to pull the trigger on Li batteries.
Looking for my optimum/best set up.
We plan to expand it later. So…
1) The Installed Gear
Jaboni Charge Controller, 50 Amp
WFCO Converter WF-9855-AD, 55 Amp
WFCO Inverter WF-5220, 2000 Watts
2 Solar Panels, 670 Watts Total
2) The Power Sponges
A/C Main, 15k (Soft Start)
A/C Bedroom, 15k (Soft Start)
A/C - Heat Pump, 15k (Soft Start)
Residential Fridge - Samsung
The usual - Microwave, TV (2), Furnace (35k btu), and Fireplace
3) My Battery Ideas (LiFePO4)
12v, 100Ah (2) (BMS w/ Shunt)
12v, 200Ah (1) (BMS and Bluetooth)
12v, 270Ah (1) (BMS w/Shunt)
I want my Fridge to keep things cold/frozen on our (generally) 2 day drives to location.
Also, would like to run an A/C for a bit to cool down during our 1 overnight stop.
Optimally, would like the same during a 2-3 day boondock.
(Not interested - yet - on a generator)
Thought on the batteries? Recommendations on others? Other observations?
THANKS IN ADVANCE
R/
First, I would recommend you switch to Lithium batteries, their advantage over Lead Acid is significant and the Lithium prices have dropped to the point that it just makes sense to upgrade to Lithium batteries.
Second, I recommend you read the thread "Affordable Solar..." pinned at the top of the Solar and Generator forum. This will answer many of your questions about Solar, Lithium batteries, and energy requirements needed to, for example, run an Air Conditioner. This also gives you solid recommendations on how to design your system, but, to install it in phases (follow the link to: "Installing Your Solar System in Phases").
When looking at your list of batteries, it seems like you are looking at BattleBorn's catalog. I would recommend you consider the more value priced options available from Amazon. As an example: a couple of weeks ago, I priced 12v, 100ah, Lithium (LiFePo4) batteries and found several priced at $178 as well as one priced at $152, all of them included free shipping. As always, when shopping for value priced Lithium batteries, I recommend you search for a YouTube video showing a teardown of your prospective choices to determine if the brand meets your quality and power storage expectations. Also, I always recommend installing your batteries using a Buss Bar instead of simply wiring the batteries together.
Since you are looking at the higher amp hour batteries, I recommend you pay special attention to the rated power output of each battery's BMS. For the most part, the 100ah batteries are rated at 100 amps of continuous power output, consequently, if you install 4 batteries, using the Buss Bar method, your maximum power output would be 400 amps. On the other hand, if you chose a pair of 200ah batteries, and they were only rated for 100 amps continuous power output, you would be limited to only 200 amps of maximum power output. 200 amps of power is not enough energy to feed a 3,000 Watt Inverter, whereas the 400 amps from the 4, 100ah batteries would be able to power that Inverter.
As kb0zke alluded to in his response, you can configure your system as 24 volts. There are other advantages to a 24v system versus a 12v system besides reduced cable size, the biggest advantage is when using your Inverter, the Inverter only has to increase the voltage 5 times with a 24v system, compared to 10 times with a 12v system. This gives you better efficiency when using your Inverter.
You already have a decent sized Solar system installed, if you installed a large battery bank (800ah to 1,000ah) and a Victron Multiplus II Inverter, you could achieve your stated goals with minimal cost and effort. This is what I recommend. With the Victron Multiplus II (with 2, 120v outputs) you can have 120 volts throughout your whole coach and with 800ah to 1,000ah of battery storage, you could run one Air Conditioner for a few hours whenever necessary. This system would easily meet your needs during your two day travels as well as meet your needs for a 2 to 3 day boondocking stay.
As a future upgrade, I might suggest you consider installing a DC-DC Converter in your Tow Vehicle if you wanted to extend your boondocking days, especially, if you were traveling every few days, this would allow you to top off your batteries since you only have 670 Watts of Solar.
Good luck and please let us know what you choose.