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Post by tattoo on Jul 19, 2017 8:00:46 GMT -8
Ok I've decided it's time to add a little more power back up. I have 4 400w panels and 4 6v batteries etc you know the drill it's a great system... I'm going to add one more panel as I'm sure the CC can handle it...
My question is how many more batteries can I add to the system that I have?? Without buying more of everything else? Thanks
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Post by rabird on Jul 19, 2017 9:11:47 GMT -8
100 watts/100 ah is a good starting place, that 5A/100ah or 5% charge is not a very high rate of charge.
does it fully charge from time to time? Do ya need more capacity?
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Post by tattoo on Jul 19, 2017 12:48:34 GMT -8
I have 4 100w panels now and I want to add one more 100w to make 500w total. I know my CC can handle one more panel...
Oh yea my batteries float almost everyday...I get about 4 hours of unshaded sun a day..
Yep I'm looking for more capacity so I can add a freezer to my set up.... How many batteries do you think I can add???
Many thanks rabird....
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Post by rabird on Jul 19, 2017 16:46:13 GMT -8
not sure I'd add any! just the panel
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Post by tattoo on Jul 19, 2017 17:32:10 GMT -8
not sure I'd add any! just the panel Really? I'm surprised at that.... So adding more batteries won't help keep from drawing them down when I add more draw to them? I've seen the batteries at 12.3v in the morning after using them a good bit over the night but they always come back on a sunny day..... I've also seen them after 4 cloudy rainy days at 12.1 but after two sunny days be floating again.... So they are charging just fine.... Cool that's why I asked... Thank you |
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Post by rabird on Jul 20, 2017 1:54:29 GMT -8
12.1v is as low as I want to go. You have enough power to recover after days of no sun.
So you add more power and more load. If this new load is not fulfilled by the added power than yes, you will deeper discharge the bank.
How much? How much does the freezer use vs how much will 100 watts provide. If the freezer was the only load what bank size/panels would it need?
I might wait and see about adding another pair of batts and/or more solar.
400w seems right for 400 ah of batt (for your current use), adding another 200 ah with only 100 w of extra solar !!! Again 5% charge is relatively low.
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Post by tattoo on Jul 20, 2017 4:55:59 GMT -8
Got ya, Thanks for the advice..... I'll get the freezer and see how it hold up....
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Post by tattoo on Aug 19, 2017 11:34:14 GMT -8
Ok I've added one more 100w panel which makes a total of 5 100w to my system. I have a 40w MPPT charge controller..... I added two more 215ah 6v batteries yesterday, now I have a total of 6.....
I just went and looked and it was up to 14.1 in direct sun so they are almost fully charged and it won't be long it should be floating if not tomorrow for sure...... And everything is running that runs 27/7... So I think that's very good....
Ok my question is do you think my system is maxed out with the 40w CC???
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Post by rabird on Aug 19, 2017 12:54:30 GMT -8
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Post by tattoo on Aug 19, 2017 14:07:39 GMT -8
You said a while back I could add one more panel and it would be ok so that's what I did...... How do I know if it's over charging??? I haven't seen more than 81v on my MT5 meter.... What's your thought on this??? I touched my CC earlier and it was worm but not what I would call hot...... I could keep my hand on it.....
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Post by tattoo on Aug 20, 2017 11:10:02 GMT -8
I've been doing some checking and the 100w panels Optimum operating voltage is 17.8 so that times 5 is 89v... I guess that's why I've never seen it over 81v... So in a perfect world it should never get over 100v am I right??? This time of year I only get 100% unobstructed sun about 2 hours a day because of the trees... Most of the rest of the day they are putting out 72v and less... Am I right in my thinking bird or others?  |
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Post by tattoo on Aug 20, 2017 12:15:23 GMT -8
1 String 2 Strings 3 Strings 4 Strings 5 Strings Max. Voc Max. Vin Min. Vmp Vb Max. Max. Vmp 1 Module 100 200 300 400 500 26.57 120.00 19.85 15.00 20.16 2 Modules 200 400 600 800 1000 53.14 120.00 39.70 15.00 40.32 3 Modules 300 600 900 1200 1500 79.72 120.00 59.55 15.00 60.47 4 Modules 400 800 1200 1600 2000 106.29 120.00 79.39 15.00 80.63 5 Modules 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Ok bird I think I did this right? If I understand what I did?? A string is how many panels I can run which is in green in 1 module. The 500 is in yellow with 5 modules..... Because of winter time cold temperatures at least that's what I understand..... My question is my 5 panels are in series + to - am I right... System Information Minimum Battery Voltage 12.00 Vdc Maximum Battery Voltage 15.00 Vdc Record Low Temperature -9.4 °C Record High Temperature 38.9 °C Configuration 5 Modules in Series Per String 1 Strings in Parallel 500 Watts Total Maximum input voltage exceeded on or near record cold mornings. Damage to controller possible in this configuration. A lower voltage configuration should be used to ensure safe operation at low ambient temperatures. I don't really understand what they are calling a module??? Thanks |
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Post by rabird on Aug 20, 2017 17:28:29 GMT -8
you have 1 string of 5 'modules' (panels). I don't know about your controller but often you are allowed to have extra and the controller just 'clips' the excess, especially mppt. Folks over power them on purpose cuz you rarely get 100 w out of 100w 'module', maybe sever cold but then the light angle sucks!
If ya ever get to bulk/bust/absorption set pt, the controller turns on/off fast. the off voltage is Voc (no power), the on voltage is the last mppt. I was under the impression the the 100v input limit was based on Voc or in your case Voc*5, 22v x5 = 110v. But off ought to be off as in disconnected!
as you can see from the string calculator you are at your limit for 40A controller.
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Post by tattoo on Aug 20, 2017 18:10:17 GMT -8
I have a Renogy 40a MPPT cc... Yes I knew I was at my limit on the CC at least that's what you said and I found out... And yes my angle sucks in the winter.... Which that could be a good thing??? I had no idea that cold weather could affect changing like it does?
So I guess that's why I've never seen more than 81V in direct sun.... The angle isn't optimum which in this case that's good....
So you think I should be just fine like I have my system like it is now???
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Post by tattoo on Aug 20, 2017 18:17:13 GMT -8
you have 1 string of 5 'modules' (panels). I want to ask this separate so I'm sure I understand?? 1 String 5 Modules 500 This is what I have because it's in series Right??? They told me there wouldn't be any math when I started this.... LOL |
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