Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Discussions about solar power and solar energy projects.
Solar98632
Posts: 246
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:10 pm

Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Post by Solar98632 » Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:41 pm

I decided to wire my panels not using the connectors.
The panels I have been ordering no longer comes with the connector ends.
So using that to my advantage, I have chosen not to go with connections but rather to run a line directly from the panel connection to a combining box.

This should reduce resistance I am going with 10 gage.

Due to it raining I didn't want to open the access panel.
At any rate second reason, is to have fewer lines to deal with..or we'll have
At least only 10 cords to deal with than having good 20 to deal with.
Here is a picture of what it is I have done.

Oh..yes it made a complete seal .

I found out that as you turn these bolts, they close up the hole.
So tell me what you think of this idea.
Has any one else tried this?

Oh I plan on inserting it in PVC Electrical conduit ...so..I can slightly recess is in to the ground so I don't mow over the lines.
Attachments
20170119_162301-1-1.jpg
Used an extension Cord instead of the connectors less clutter .The better.
20170119_162301-1-1.jpg (252.69 KiB) Viewed 27393 times

Solar98632
Posts: 246
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:10 pm

Re: Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Post by Solar98632 » Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:54 pm

This is how I have the box set. The two main line go to the charge controller that is a harbor freight for now.

I added ring connectors for easier add on...
Main disconnect will be from the heavier black leads to the charge controller.
They will be a 60 amp circuit breaker.
Attachments
20170119_164409-1-1-1.jpg
20170119_164409-1-1-1.jpg (127.68 KiB) Viewed 27392 times

techman
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Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:49 am

Re: Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Post by techman » Tue Jan 31, 2017 10:05 am

You may remember that I did something along this line in the tiny house. I used boxes like this to give me a better connection. So, yes I think its a good idea.

Solar98632
Posts: 246
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:10 pm

Re: Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Post by Solar98632 » Sat Feb 11, 2017 10:05 pm

Thank you oh and congratulations. ..you are about to embark on a whole new Ultimate Diy...Child rearing lol...

It's not easy.


Well on to the subject...
I ordered that Zantex C-60 is what I chose.
I didn't go with a MPPT as they use up a lot of power, I mean I will be running 1kw for now.
Oh and they throw off a mot of heat.

The Zantrex has
Automatic Disconnect for night time
Full short circuit protection
Reverse polarity (on solar end)
Uses 5 ma max.
I can order a face plate.
Has adjustable bulk and float charge
Has an idiot light ( will be getting it's meter later.)

I also added a disconnect on the solar end.

My goal is to get up to 1 kw in the aray.

I later plan on upgrading my battery bank I am sticking with AGM s.

I learned a lesson too, the Zantrex was popping out from my 400 watt panels..and it shut down my he charge controller lol.

So I lost some power. I switched the ha panels on over.
On the Zantrex. I won't know what I am pumping out until I can figure out a way to measure the amperage with out disconnecting any thing. I think my meter is rated for 500 amps...I will double check on that.

I been ordering everything through Solar Boulevard.

Solar98632
Posts: 246
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:10 pm

Re: Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Post by Solar98632 » Mon Feb 13, 2017 9:49 pm

I want to recommend a really great site that Gene sent me to

http://www.solarblvd.com
I could not believe that I could find
100 watt solar panels for 80 bucks.
They have been very friendly and very helpful.

It is also where I got the Zantrex C-60 from
Xantrex C60 60A, 12/24V Charge Controller
Xantrex C60 60A, 12/24V Charge Controller
152ACCC60
Price: $199.00
only $157.61

That controller kicks rear by the way.
In si much that I had to dial down the dosing of Bulk Charge.
It had made my inverter blush a bit of red.

It is a full 3 stage Charge Controller complete and that includes the MPPTs well known...Equalization... Yup. This is one sweet controller.

And so MrTroy, I learned something you for got to teach lol.
When setting your charge controller, make sure the inverters can handle the incoming charge lol.

At any rate, I sure found out how badly needed the bank needed a charging.

I did realize that they were that low.

I could hear the controller buzing that is for sure.

One thing to note, the reason why I had to dial down the power a tad was when an item kicekd off there was a brief survey of power.

I got red LED and then o got a brief chirp on my pure sine..it was to High of voltage.
So I dialed the Bulk down a tad and that fixed the issue.

So this charge controller is good for up to 1kw.

This will help when we use the appliances we have..
Soon we will be off grid on all sunny days...until we get new batteries we will have to plug in at night.
I have an idea on the type I want.

I have also located a nice sunny spot for the new stay.

I could not believe when I ran the 500 watt heater we only dropped to 12.8 and it stayed there.

The company ntroller remained in float mode.
Currently I have no way of checking on the power I am bringing. In.

It has to be some where at 600 Watts.between HF panels and the (4) 100 watt poly crystallines.


We are going for 1kw..we are going to run everything as much off solar as we can.

Today, I got the taste of pure power... And it felt like that From scene.

It was a great day

Solar98632
Posts: 246
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:10 pm

Re: Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Post by Solar98632 » Mon Feb 13, 2017 11:36 pm

Here is the Charge Controller in actuality.
Attachments
Zantrex C 60.jpg
Zantrex C 60.jpg (201.65 KiB) Viewed 27359 times

techman
Site Admin
Posts: 1329
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:49 am

Re: Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Post by techman » Fri Feb 17, 2017 10:35 am

Thank you for the congrats. Yes its going to be a whole new lifestyle for us.

I cant wait to find a place to move and settle into. I hope to take our solar panels and gear with us and set it up asap after we move.

I also look forward to more experiments and electronics. I am starting to get back into it these days.

Your system is looking pretty good.

My power inverters do not like the higher voltages either and sometimes complain. In equalize mode I have to shut down the inverter fully because it will power itself down if not.

Solar98632
Posts: 246
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:10 pm

Re: Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Post by Solar98632 » Wed Mar 01, 2017 8:41 pm

Thank you , hmm..I have fine tuned it to where it it won't go red..but stays at 14.3
Well save when I switch off all the power at once..Then it blushes for 1/4 of a second.the he won't alert but the pures in will give a brief beep.

Yup..you got a whole new diy...lol.
I well I learned from you and others.
I did some research and found what will work best for my family. .I look forward to seeing your experiments..

Oh now that we're getting sun...we're starting to rely more on it.

But we hope to get up to 1 kw. By this summer. .we want free ac...lol

Solar98632
Posts: 246
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:10 pm

Re: Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Post by Solar98632 » Tue May 16, 2017 9:12 pm

Update: we are at 800 watts and on a partly sun day, we were able to make 1.03 kwhrs.
I made chicken , fish sticks and French fries in the bread machine and ran our fridge at the same time.

If 800 watts can do this, I wonder what we will be able to do with either 1.5kw or 2 kw.
I have been able to use 633 watts continously on a sunny peiod.
I like to leave 200 watt wiggle room for charging.

My amorphous panels are only producing 75 watts of power..The wiring in all but 3 sets is gone..In a literal sense.

techman
Site Admin
Posts: 1329
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:49 am

Re: Setting up A New Solar PV ARAY

Post by techman » Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:49 am

you do want to have an equalize mode once a month to keep your batteries in shape. I have to shut everything down to do this but it is important. Maybe when you are going to be gone for a day.

With 800 watts of solar panels you should be getting a LOT more power each day. Thats nearly 1kw per hour.

I was getting a max of 3.6 kw back in my motor home with 1,200 watts of solar panels connected but only 600 worked at a time. They were pointed half SE and half SW for best all day output.

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