Installing panels

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plongson
plongson Solar Expert Posts: 115 ✭✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Might be a silly question, but how do you go about hooking up and installing panels? In the middle of the day when they are producing, it looks like you could get in trouble when you get a good series going. Essentially a "hot" system.

Do you wait and do it at night or throw a blanket over the array??? I never worried about small RV systems, but this is different.

Just wondering...
3500w solar, 800AH with Rolls Surrette, Magnum inverter, Midnite charge controller, Kubota 21kW diesel genset...private well...and just recently connected to city power for additional options...nice to have options 
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #2
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    Re: Installing panels

    Yes, just put a blanket over them and their output will drop to a point where there is little risk of arcing.
    Lot of people use the cardboard from the package they came in.
    And to those who think it isn't necessary: better safe than sorry.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
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    Re: Installing panels
    Cariboocoot wrote: »
    ...
    And to those who think it isn't necessary: better safe than sorry.

    The MC connectors are not rated to connect/disconnect under power, and their low restistance contacts will burn off - then you are screwed, because you have voided the warranty, the mfg will look in the contacts, see arc marks, and laugh you out the door. (That's why the factory connectors are part of the panel warranty, don't cut them off)
    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 ||
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #4
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    Re: Installing panels
    mike90045 wrote: »
    The MC connectors are not rated to connect/disconnect under power, and their low restistance contacts will burn off - then you are screwed, because you have voided the warranty, the mfg will look in the contacts, see arc marks, and laugh you out the door. (That's why the factory connectors are part of the panel warranty, don't cut them off)

    Yes I know. We've explained this before. Let's just hope the non-believers don't try it on some 400+ Volt GT array, eh? ;)
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