Outback's 80 amp controller and two types of panels

Re: Outback's 80 amp controller and two types of panels

BB. wrote: »

What is the battery bank voltage?

-Bill

Battery bank voltage is 48v.

Batteries: Eight U.S. Battery L-16hc, 420 ah.

http://www.usbattery.com/usb_usl16hcxc.html

Re: Outback's 80 amp controller and two types of panels

Cariboocoot wrote: »

Well I see a big problem right away if what you wrote is what you meant:

5 * 60 Volts = 300 Volts. Waaay over the OB's max.

The Kyocera's are "12 Volt" with a Voc of 22.1 * 5 = 110.5 so no problem there.
The FM80 can handle something like 4500 Watts on a 48 Volt system so no problem there.
The only other problem is the question of Vmp and Imp of two different panel types; might not be very efficient.

And yes you want at least 1600 Watts of panel for those batteries.

The five Kyocera's panels are 12v wired in series then you get about 60 volts at about 7.5 amps for each of the two strings to small combiner box and going into the Outback Flexmat 80.

If the five Kaneka panels are 60v each and wired in Parallel, wouldn't you have 60v and about 6 amps; not 300v? Each string to a combiner box and down to the 80amp Outback.

Having the voltages about the same, and the amps within what 'appears to be' a workable match entering the controller, it "seems" the numbers are close. I just need some extra eyes and minds to help me see what I'm missing.

Thanks,
Bill

Re: Outback's 80 amp controller and two types of panels

Cariboocoot wrote: »

Nomenclature strikes again!

You said "60v panels in two parallel strings of five panels each". a "string of five panels" is five panels connected in series; hence 5 * 60 Volts = 300.

If they're all connected in parallel there are no "strings" and you just have 10 60 Volt panels in parallel.

What matters most in a parallel connection is the Vmp. The Kyocera's are 17.7 Vmp, so that's 5 * 17.7 = 88.5 Vmp for the string. The specs I find on the Kaneka's is 67 Vmp. In my opinion that's too far apart for proper operation. But perhaps the panels aren't these?

Sorry for the nomenclature error, I didn't understand that a string meant in a series and parallel was just group of the same panels... Learning curves take time, and I've not been in this solar power field all that long.... :roll:

Here is the description:

Kaneka 60-Watt amorphous silicon PV modules, with black anodized frames and MC4 connectors.

The Kaneka G-SA060 is a single junction amorphous silicon cell. Amorphous silicon (a-Si) has superior light absorption which maximizes performance and higher power in hot climates and cloudy conditions compared to crystal silicon (c-Si) cell modules.

The G-SA060 has a maximum system voltage of 530 Vdc and features by-pass diodes, lead free solder, dark anodized aluminum frame, four mounting and two grounding holes, 29" output wires with 3mm MC connectors. It is UL/cUL listed to UL-1703. 25-year output warranty. Japan


Volts open circuit: 91.8 volts DC
Volts at maximum power: 67 volts DC
Current short circuit: 1.19 amps
Current at max power: 0.9 amps

I understand what you and Bill are saying. It appears that they can produce power, but there seems to be a "Doughnut Hole" in their uses with low and high voltage being somewhat of their down fall. I'm just wondering how these panels are used and with what kind of controller?

Thanks,
Bill