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Post by Jimmy on Oct 17, 2017 11:27:05 GMT -8
Hey thanks for all the interest. To answer a few questions. I have the panels running in series parallel. Positive to negative all the way except 2 positives and 2 negatives joined from the last 4 panels. My 2-- 12 volt batteries are wired to 24 volts. I have a 1500 watt aims 24 volt pure sinewave inverter.
I really cant give you the temp. Please tell me can I plug an I pad into the controller What app would I use? Is this what you are getting these reading from?
I have a baylite model Pzem051 it gives me the present voltage of my battery, the watts I am drawing from house. This is very neat because I can plug and unplug devices to tell me how much each item is using. I gives me the total kw the panels have produced from start. It also gives me the amps but 6.74 on a cloudy day today but I don't know if that is what is being produced or used. It has been flawless for 2 years. 1000 was the total allowed for 24 volts but I was told don't push it. Ten panels would be too close.
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Post by Jimmy on Oct 17, 2017 11:41:40 GMT -8
I turn it off at about 7pm and turn it on first thing in am. I already replaced two batteries after 2 years. One of them was just under warranty thank goodness. If you want to use it at night buy a lot more batteries. I like to keep the batteries at 80% or higher. Renogy said that the controllers they have will not talk to each other.
I plan to go to 1500 watts with a new 60 amp controller. 1500 because of the size of configuration fits better in the area that I have as opposed to 1600 watts. Does anybody know if one configuration is better than the other? Other than just another 100 watts.
Also does anybody know the rated efficiency of 100 watt renogy panels? I don't see it advertised. I was wondering if there is a reason. Other companies tout their efficiency.
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Post by tattoo on Oct 17, 2017 14:01:10 GMT -8
Jimmy it sounds like a great system and something to think about... I'm thinking of things to ask you but one that pops to mind is... You do have power/electricity to run at night from the grid, right? My system is an off grid setup....
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Post by rabird on Oct 17, 2017 15:37:50 GMT -8
Why do chargers need to talk to each other? is their logic incomplete?
I;m no further help as I'd go with another charger and 24v panels and more batt capacity.
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Post by Jimmy on Oct 17, 2017 15:47:15 GMT -8
Yes I have electricity to turn to when I shut off solar. I put a new panel right next to my electric panel and powered it from the inverter. I pulled some wires from the electric panel and put them in the new panel which is charged by solar. The solar receptacles are dead when I shut it off at night. Some receptacles in the house are dedicated electric some are dedicated solar. I use heavy duty extension cords throughout the house to compensate.
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Post by tattoo on Oct 18, 2017 4:17:10 GMT -8
What is the advantage in having the panels in series/parallel? I just ordered a 60a CC and I am thinking of adding more panels so what is the advantage? If there is any??? I'm staying 12v on this system and going to do another in a few months....
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Post by rabird on Oct 18, 2017 5:41:11 GMT -8
all series and ya run up against the input V limit esp with small 100w panels
all parallel and you have more voltage drop with the same size wire
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Post by tattoo on Oct 18, 2017 6:23:39 GMT -8
all series and ya run up against the input V limit esp with small 100w panels all parallel and you have more voltage drop with the same size wire Ok I think I understand, so what I'm thinking of doing is 8 total panels. 4 stringed together in parallel and the other 4 together in parallel and tie them together in series then go to the CC.... Now with that said is the an advantage to that set up rather than just 6 panels in series like I have them now? I guess what I'm asking is will it charge any better.... My panels are only about 15 feet away from my CC and the rest of the system.... |
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Post by rabird on Oct 18, 2017 6:47:25 GMT -8
4x23 = 96v vs 6x23 = 138v, transforming from 96 to 12v more eff than from 138 (should use Vmp voltage 68v vs 100v). 6 in series in close to the 138v/150v input limit. 800 watts is more than 600 watts. voltage drop will increase if you use the same size wire, 6A all in series vs 12A with 2 strings. 15' away, 6A, 10 gauge = .185v X Vmp of 100v = 18.5 watts lost to voltage drop 15' away, 12A, 10 gauge = .37v x Vmp of 68v = 25 watts lost to voltage drop +200 watts - less 7 more watts of power loss = more power! the above calcs are at max current which you likely don't see unless it is cold, sunny and pointed at the sun! www.genuinedealz.com/voltage-drop-calculator^^^ ignore voltage, it does not change vd, just the % calc. Note: due to clipping one can use in excess of 800 watts, like 3 string of 4x100, in less than idea conditions you get more power, in perfect conditions the controller would clip the excess over 60A at the battery. You could likely do that with the 40A controller ( 2 strings of 4) and get closer to 40A more often. |
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Post by Jimmy on Oct 18, 2017 11:56:03 GMT -8
Renogy just upt the price of the 60amp mppt commander controller 40 dollars to 450. Now I'm looking at going with PowMr. 60 amp mppt controller for 159 dollars. I will have to go to 12 100w panels instead of 15 but I will save lots of money. This controller maxes out at 1440 watts. I think 1200 watts will do what I want. Wire it in series parallel. Three groups of 4. Does anyone have any knowledge of this controller. What will my voltage and amps be to the controller with this configuration?
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Post by tattoo on Oct 18, 2017 15:13:56 GMT -8
4x23 = 96v vs 6x23 = 138v, transforming from 96 to 12v more eff than from 138 (should use Vmp voltage 68v vs 100v). 6 in series in close to the 138v/150v input limit. 800 watts is more than 600 watts. Ok Bird I totally agree, I don't understand 100% yet maybe 80% but I'm getting there..... If you will look at this kit on ebay Renogy-800-Watts-Premium-Complete-12V-Solar-Panel-Kit-Mono-Off-Grid ... This isn't what I'm buying but how are they using 800w of panels with just 60a CC? I'll wait to hear back from you before I ask you another question... |
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Post by tattoo on Oct 18, 2017 15:17:52 GMT -8
Renogy just upt the price of the 60amp mppt commander controller 40 dollars to 450. Now I'm looking at going with PowMr. 60 amp mppt controller for 159 dollars. I will have to go to 12 100w panels instead of 15 but I will save lots of money. This controller maxes out at 1440 watts. I think 1200 watts will do what I want. Wire it in series parallel. Three groups of 4. Does anyone have any knowledge of this controller. What will my voltage and amps be to the controller with this configuration? I'm not sure about the cheap CC, I don't know about that one you asked about but I read the comments from people that have bought them and most aren't real happy with them.... Bird likes the Grape CC that Home depot sells have you checked into them... I don't have anything that has blue tooth so they won't work for me... |
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Post by tattoo on Oct 18, 2017 15:47:25 GMT -8
Ok I have another question.... How do I decide if I need more amps or volts in my system? You know series or parallel? Or some of both?
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Post by rabird on Oct 18, 2017 16:02:40 GMT -8
If you will look at this kit on ebay Renogy-800-Watts-Premium-Complete-12V-Solar-Panel-Kit-Mono-Off-Grid ... This isn't what I'm buying but how are they using 800w of panels with just 60a CC? I'll wait to hear back from you before I ask you another question... 60A is at the battery, 800 watts / 60A = 13.33v, what's the problem? The kit I found has 2 split connectors for 2 strings of 4. a link is best! What is the issue? Is 800 watts more than 60A? Remember clipping, the controller can handle 3x rating! RTFM. So 2 strings of 4 in series, 4 in series is 4xVoc =? is that less than 138/150v input limit? The kit comes with 2 splitters to have 2 strings. RTFM, see page 10 and 11 that state the controller can have 2400w for a 12v system!!!!! cuz of clipping. In order to do that with 100 watt panels, groups of 4 @ Voc of 23 = 92v. Now the manual does state that 2 12v panels in series is BEST (12v) and 4 MAX How do you use 600 watts with 40A? watts is watts, a combination of V & A. The controller has limits for input voltage based on Voc of the panels and they add in series. Look at the eff charts at the end of the manual, the higher the input voltage the less eff to transform to 12v. Wire management, smaller wires are easier and cheaper to deal with. input is WATTS which is transformed in to watts at batt voltage. |
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Post by tattoo on Oct 18, 2017 17:21:49 GMT -8
60A is at the battery, 800 watts / 60A = 13.33v, what's the problem? The kit I found has 2 split connectors for 2 strings of 4. a link is best! What is the issue? Is 800 watts more than 60A? Remember clipping, the controller can handle 3x rating! RTFM. So 2 strings of 4 in series, 4 in series is 4xVoc =? is that less than 138/150v input limit? The kit comes with 2 splitters to have 2 strings. Yes that is the kit I was referring to. Sorry I didn't include a link... No problem I'm just trying to understand how they are using 8 panels with 60a but as you said that's at the battery and the CC will clip the extra power.... And that is what I have been talking about using two splitters and have two strings of 4 panels... LOL The more I'm getting to this the more I don't understand but I'm getting it..... Your a lot of help... Thanks |
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