DIY Combiner

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puresolar
puresolar Registered Users Posts: 8 ✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
I am looking at building my own combiners for my panels. Before I dothough, I have a few questions.

1) What would the difference in power loss be for these two setups
Note:(1 series is 360 watts at 48 volts)

4 series of panels running 50 feet to a combiner, and then 3 feet to a charge controller
4 series of panels running 3 feet to a combiner, and then 50 feet to a charge controller

2) in the above scenario, do you believe the power loss is enough to cause concern?

3)What are the pros and cons of adding a lcd display to a combiner box to be able to show output of any combination of 4 series of panels series or all at one time?
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    Re: DIY Combiner

    Can't answer, till you tell us :
    VmaxP of panels
    Amps max of panels.
    total volts & amps in each string
    Wire gauge.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

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  • mikeo
    mikeo Solar Expert Posts: 386 ✭✭✭
    #3
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    Re: DIY Combiner
    A: 4 series of panels running 50 feet to a combiner, and then 3 feet to a charge controller
    B: 4 series of panels running 3 feet to a combiner, and then 50 feet to a charge controller

    A is the answer in most cases since each string is 1/4 the total amps and wire costs seem to go up exponentially with gauge. This is a balancing act depending on the current levels, wire gauge and distance. You can use a wire chart calculator to estimate the trade offs.
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  • puresolar
    puresolar Registered Users Posts: 8 ✭
    #4
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    Re: DIY Combiner

    Panel specs are:
    •205 Watts
    •33.2 Voc
    •26.6 Vmp
    •8.36 Isc
    •7.71 Imp


    array info would be:

    max voc = 135.386666667V < 150.0V Vin Max
    Min Vmp = 104.661333333V < 62V Vb Max
    Max Vmp = 107.594666667V
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