Breakers, Box, Charge Controller

Zakarume

As i have said before i am upgrading and redoing my battery bank. What i need to know is.
I have 2 Charge controller (Midnite classic 150 and Midnite Kid)
I want to run the wires from CC to batteries, but run them through the Midnite Baby Box. http://www.solar-electric.com/baby-box.html

1.Midnite classic 150. Is this a good breaker http://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-mnepv-150-volts-80-amps-array-breaker.html. Only be used up to 2000 watt array on a 24v battery bank when all is done in future
2. Midnite Kid up to 500 watts when all is done in the future.  Is this also http://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-mnepv-30-amps-circuit-breaker.html

I know some of these question might be repeating myself but trying to make sure it is done right. 

vtmaps

If you can spare the space, go for the big baby box.  The breakers you mention are sized OK... just make sure the ampacity of your wiring exceeds the breaker size.  

Those din rail breakers are polarized.... do you know which side goes to the controller and which side goes to the battery?

--vtMaps

Zakarume

Have not gotten the breakers yet. Just getting feedback right now to make sure i get the correct ones and i do it right. I checked to size difference between both boxes and really not that much different, just a few inches. So i will go with the Big Baby box. If you can link the breakers and box

Vic

Hi Zak..,

vtmaps is correct,  the MN Baby Box,  is tiny.

The Big Baby is considerably larger.   So this box will handle ONLY  the CC output breakers  ...  meaning that the Input breakers for the CCs are in a different box?   As you know,  each of these two CCs will require an input breaker,  as well as an output breaker.

Also,  as you know,  the Big Baby will accept four DIN Rail breaker spaces,  that 80 A double-wide breaker occupies two spaces,  and the MNEPV 30A breaker occupies only one space,  but there would not be enough space to also have two MNEPV input breakers in the BB box,  as well.

FWIW,  Vic

Zakarume

I am going to get the Big Baby Box along with busbars. Just now making sure i get the right breakers. If anyone can link the 2 breakers please do so. In case you are still wondering. Will get a Midnite classic 150 and Midnite kid. Wire size 6 gauge

Vic

Zakarume said:

I am going to get the Big Baby Box along with busbars. Just now making sure i get the right breakers. If anyone can link the 2 breakers please do so. In case you are still wondering. Will get a Midnite classic 150 and Midnite kid. Wire size 6 gauge

 1.  OK,  but,  first,  it is you who has Linked to those two breakers on the Wind-Sun site ...   what additional information do you need?

  2.  Did ask you about just where the additional breakers that are needed by the Charge Controllers  --  the Input breakers for each CC?  These can be MNEPV breakers,  BUT,  if they are not in another box,  you will not have room  for two input breakers,  the 80 Amp breaker,  which requires TWO DIN spaces,  plus the other output breaker  the MNEPV   30 A ...  this is five spaces  where four are provided.   SO,  is there another box that holds the two,  necessary additional breakers  --  the input breaker for each CC.

Here is the info for the BB box on the MN site:
http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=122&productCatName=Small Breaker Boxes&productCat_ID=10&sortOrder=2&act=p

Just trying to be clear,    Vic

Zakarume

Sorry. This is what i have decided overall.
1. http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=122&productCatName=Small  This Box only with Busbars
2. http://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-mnepv-150-volts-80-amps-array-breaker.html.  For my array using Midnite classic 150 up to 2000 watts
3. http://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-mnepv-30-amps-circuit-breaker.html. For the smaller 500 array using Midnite Kid

I hope this explains it better. A total of only 1 box, 2 breakers (30 & 80 amp)

zoneblue

you can also get the big baby in a versiion that takes the panel mount breakers. They come in a one pole 80A, and are unpolarised.

Vic

Hi again Zak..,

OK,  fine on your decision ...
BUT,  have tried to ask the following question twice before ...

WHAT ARE YOU DOING/GOING TO DO FOR THOSE TWO NECESSARY (ADDITIONAL) CIRCUIT BREAKERS ON THE INPUT OF EACH CC??  Are they in (or going to be in) another MN Box,  with MN breakers ?? ?    ?    What is the plan,  if one might ask?

And,  YES,  one does think about the MNEDC-Quad box that will accept up to four small Panel Mount breakers.  The DC Quad is a bit deeper than is the BB Box,  and is steel,  if that matters,  IIRC:
http://www.solar-electric.com/installation-parts-and-equipment/midnite/elenanddcdi/mnedc-quad.html

Here are the PM MNEDC breakers:
http://www.solar-electric.com/pamodccibr.html

FWIW,    Vic

Zakarume

I dont know any other way to explain this. All i want to do is get the Big Baby Box. Install it. Run the wire from Midnite Classic to the 80 amp breaker and run the 2nd wire from midnite kid to amp breaker and then to batteries.. Thats it

Vic

Zakarume said:

I dont know any other way to explain this. All i want to do is get the Big Baby Box. Install it. Run the wire from Midnite Classic to the 80 amp breaker and run the 2nd wire from midnite kid to amp breaker and then to batteries.. Thats it

Great!    And each CC will WANT an additional breaker or DC-rated Disconnect on its INPUT.  These breakers will accept the output of any Combiner Box that is required on their input terminals,  and the output of each of these additional breakers  (or possibly,  but not likely,  a Disconnect switch)   will be connected to the INPUT of each CC.

These additional breakers that are mentioned,  above,  are really REQUIRED  --  they will be something that you will also WANT,   IMO.

That is all,  sorry for all of the SHOUTing,    Just FWIW,   Thanks,    Vic

Zakarume

Vic sent you a private message

Xizang

None of these boxes seem to be outdoor weatherproof.   Anyone have outdoor boxes?   In particular, heavy gauge non-metallic (plastic) breaker boxes that would be suitable for marine use?   Saltwater has a habit of quickly eating up most metals (except maybe stainless and titanium)

Photowhit

I can't recall the brand, but I've rebuilt a positive ground combiner 'plastic' box for my combiner box;

There are people making combiner boxes from non conductive material. Try;

http://shoals.com/

http://www.imagineinstruments.com/solar_combiner_box.html

I know you want inexpensive as well and I haven't seen a breaker box for inverter size breakers in a non-conductive material. This likely has to do with the smoke hazard if inside as Zoneblue(?) or maybe Dave(?) has said in a pervious thread.

You might want to just build one your self, hunt down a Non-conductive box, even used (try craigslist and eBay)since you will likely need many wires passing through the case, hunt down the proper water proof wire restraints and drill out the box your self. I added 4 to the above box.