In order to run a 12-volt device on a 24 or 48-volt system, you would need to use a step-down converter, which, like an inverter, introduces power losses during the conversion process. There are an increasing number of appliances available for 24-volt and 48-volt systems, but not nearly as many as there are for 12-volt systems, and they are often more expensive in comparison. By using 12-volt lighting and appliances, you eliminate that loss. Inverters are only 80 to 90 percent efficient, meaning that during the conversion process, you lose up to 20 percent of your power as heat. If possible, it is more efficient to use your DC power directly, rather than using an inverter to convert it into AC power first. Some examples include radios, televisions, coffee makers, refrigerators, water pumps and low-voltage lighting. Availability of Appliances and Lighting: There is a large selection of appliances and lighting that are made specifically for 12-volt systems, due to the common use of such systems in boats, RVs and commercial trucks. Fuses for 24 and 48-volt systems are not as easy to find. Therefore, when a fuse blows in your system, a replacement can easily be found not only at automotive parts stores, but even grocery and convenience stores. Availability of Fuses: Many 12-volt solar systems and 12-volt inverters are designed to use standard automotive fuses. Inverters for a 48-volt system are typically even more expensive per watt than 24-volt versions. Typically, the 12-volt pure sine-wave inverters cost anywhere from 2/3 the price of 24-volt versions, up to the same price. The price difference is not as dramatic for pure sine-wave inverters, which perform better than modified sine-wave inverters for sensitive devices like computers or microwaves. This is especially true for 12-volt modified sine-wave inverters, which cost nearly half the price of similar 24-volt units. Inverter Cost: Because 12-volt systems are so common, many 12-volt inverters tend to be less expensive per watt than the 24-volt or 48-volt equivalents. Not many stores offer inverters for 24-volt or 48-volt systems and, if they do, they often must be special-ordered. They are often available at department stores, automotive parts stores and truck stops, making it easy to find a replacement should your current inverter fail. Many local businesses stock 12-volt inverters, which convert your system’s DC power into 120-Volt AC like your home uses. Inverter Availability: 12-volt systems are commonly used in personal vehicles, as well as commercial trucks, boats and recreational vehicles, or RVs, which makes finding 12-volt products easier than 24-volt versions. With a 24-volt system or 48-volt, there would be two-times or four-times as many batteries wired together to acquire the desired voltage, increasing both the complexity of the system and the number of possible failure points. Any time more than one battery is wired together, the system is only as good as its weakest battery. With 6-volt batteries in a 12-volt system, the configuration is more complex, with pairs of 6-volt batteries wired in series to make 12 volts, then each 12-volt bank wired together in parallel with the other banks to increase the amperage of the system. If you are using 12-volt batteries on a 12-volt system, the connections between batteries in the system are simply parallel, positive to positive and negative to negative. Battery Configuration: The most commonly-used batteries for solar systems are 6-volt and 12-volt deep cycle batteries. Four 12-volt panels or two 24-volt panels wired in series would be required for a 48-volt system. For a 24-volt solar system, you would need to specifically buy 24-volt panels or buy a matched pair of 12-volt panels and wire the pair in series, positive to negative panel to panel with the remaining positive and negative leads connected to your 24-volt charge controller. This means a panel can simply be connected in parallel, positive to positive and negative to negative, with your other 12-volt panels and directly into the charge controller. Availability of Solar Panels: Most solar panels sold today are wired for 12-volt operation from the factory. The 12-volt solar system is a common choice for off-grid homes because it is simple to set up and many of the components may be available locally, but there are also some serious disadvantages that need to be considered. There are many factors involved in selecting the voltage for your system, such as the pricing of the individual components, the availability of replacement components and the need to mitigate voltage losses in direct-current systems. Before you start building an off-grid solar system for your home, you will need to decide which voltage to use for the system and that choice will ultimately dictate what components are used to build it.
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