More = longer runs ?

Question

Ok im trying to run a swamp cooler to keep my shed cool I have 3 12 volt deep cycle marine batteries and my solar array totals 108 watts as for now I can almost run the cooler all day but the charge controller starts warning me that the batteries are low with about 1 hour left to run . If I add more batteries will the cooler run longer without the low battery warning coming on .

I have 2 BP Solarex Millenia MST-431 solar panel 45 watt each but I tried to hook both of them up without the other 108 watts of ICP panels and I melted the side of the 25 amp charge controller I have and now im not sure what I need to use these other panels maybe a larger controller . Im just trying to learn to use the sun for power in my shed and as you can see im new at this .

Answer 1

Likely not. You need to add more solar panels to keep the batteries up.

And you may find you do want another battery to absorb all the energy from a larger solar array so it will run on past sunset, and/or reduce the cycling on the batteries, which helps life.

Be sure to build in protection against shorting in the solar panels, and against one bad battery draining the others and/or causing a fire.. Schottkey or similar diodes are appropriate.

Answer 2

Yes u could add 3 12v in parallel just like what u have.
I may have something that will help more. There is a chemical called jet dry ,and I did cool our house in Bestow cal. with a swamp cooler and the real trick is to wet the pads well. The jet dry makes the water super wet as it reduces the surface tension so the same water will wet the pads much wetter and will cool better . This evaporates more water and cools better as long as the humidity is low. Each Cubic centimeter that u evaporate will absorber 60 calories. Good luck

Answer 3

More heat from batteries?

Answer 4

Hey! Same question!

Let me know how it turns out.