Best Of
Re: what happen to my Inverter when i connect it to output of UPS
You connected the AC output of your new inverter to the existing UPS output of your office? If so, then the inverter was damaged.
Most likely, one or more of the MOFSETs (output transistors of the inverter) have been blown. It is possible that you could replace them and get the inverter going again... But usually more than just the transistors themselves are damaged, many times the drive circuits for them are damaged too.
Realistically, it is probably time to purchase a new inverter and start over.
Good luck,
-Bill
Most likely, one or more of the MOFSETs (output transistors of the inverter) have been blown. It is possible that you could replace them and get the inverter going again... But usually more than just the transistors themselves are damaged, many times the drive circuits for them are damaged too.
Realistically, it is probably time to purchase a new inverter and start over.
Good luck,
-Bill
BB.
1
Re: Conect XW voltage too inaccurate for LFP charging?
FWIW, and being the sort who doesn't mind tinkering some, I think Dave's notion of isolating the inverter to test makes sense. If it still can't reasonably accurately read voltage, it would rule a lot out.
On the business side of it, I can understand where Schneider is going, and maybe why. I might do it differently, but it's their choice to make.
On the business side of it, I can understand where Schneider is going, and maybe why. I might do it differently, but it's their choice to make.
Estragon
1
Re: Best way to charge 12v battery. 36v 12v MPPT
Batteries are designed (and by nature) to "hold" a stable voltage, regardless of the current going in or going out (within limits). A 12 volt battery will hold around 11.5 to 15.5 volts in normal operation.
A solar panel is often called a "solar battery". That is really not correct. They are "current sources" and not voltage sources. More or less, the solar panel will output current (into the appropriate load) proportional to the amount of sun hitting the panel.
Yes, it is possible to connect a 36 volt panel to charge a 12 volt panel--But this is not an optimum setup. For example, say you have a panel that is 36 volts and 5 amps (36v*5a=180watt). If connected directly to a 12 volt battery and charging the battery, the battery will hold (for example) 12 volts. However, the power (Watts) going into the battery will be less (12 volts * 5 amps = 60 Watts). In this example, you will be wasting 2/3rds of the panel's Wattage. A PWM (pulse width modulation) type charge controller (less expensive solar type charge controller) is just a computer "on/off" switch
If you used a MPPT (maximum power point tracking--more expensive) type charge controller, it sort of acts like a voltage transformer. Taking high voltage/low current and down converting to low voltage/high current to support your battery/DC loads. In this (made up) example, it would look like (ignoring losses and other details):
But--We can suggest a range of solar panels that work with your existing battery bank. Nominally we would suggest a 5% to 13% rate of charge. 5% is good for weekend/summer usage. 10%+ is better for full time off grid. However, RVs usually have weight and space/size limitations, and that we just have to work withing those specifications.
But, for a general idea, say you have a 200 AH @ 12 volt battery bank:
If your panels are >>~18 Volts Vmp, then you would need a MPPT type charge controller.
Those are the basics, but your needs and details are what matter. Tell us a bit more about your power needs (like how many Watt*Hours/Amp*Hours per day you need, size of your battery bank, where/when you will be camping most, will you need/have a backup AC genset, etc.).
-Bill
A solar panel is often called a "solar battery". That is really not correct. They are "current sources" and not voltage sources. More or less, the solar panel will output current (into the appropriate load) proportional to the amount of sun hitting the panel.
Yes, it is possible to connect a 36 volt panel to charge a 12 volt panel--But this is not an optimum setup. For example, say you have a panel that is 36 volts and 5 amps (36v*5a=180watt). If connected directly to a 12 volt battery and charging the battery, the battery will hold (for example) 12 volts. However, the power (Watts) going into the battery will be less (12 volts * 5 amps = 60 Watts). In this example, you will be wasting 2/3rds of the panel's Wattage. A PWM (pulse width modulation) type charge controller (less expensive solar type charge controller) is just a computer "on/off" switch
If you used a MPPT (maximum power point tracking--more expensive) type charge controller, it sort of acts like a voltage transformer. Taking high voltage/low current and down converting to low voltage/high current to support your battery/DC loads. In this (made up) example, it would look like (ignoring losses and other details):
- .36 volts * 5 amps = 180 Watts from panels
- 180 Watts from panel / 12 volts at battery = 15 amps into charging the battery bank
But--We can suggest a range of solar panels that work with your existing battery bank. Nominally we would suggest a 5% to 13% rate of charge. 5% is good for weekend/summer usage. 10%+ is better for full time off grid. However, RVs usually have weight and space/size limitations, and that we just have to work withing those specifications.
But, for a general idea, say you have a 200 AH @ 12 volt battery bank:
- 200 AH * 14.5 volts charging * 1/0.77 panel+controller deratings * 0.05 rate of charge = 188 Watt array minimum
- 200 AH * 14.5 volts charging * 1/0.77 panel+controller deratings * 0.10 rate of charge = 377 Watt array nominal
- 200 AH * 14.5 volts charging * 1/0.77 panel+controller deratings * 0.13 rate of charge = 490 Watt array "cost effective" maximum
If your panels are >>~18 Volts Vmp, then you would need a MPPT type charge controller.
Those are the basics, but your needs and details are what matter. Tell us a bit more about your power needs (like how many Watt*Hours/Amp*Hours per day you need, size of your battery bank, where/when you will be camping most, will you need/have a backup AC genset, etc.).
-Bill
BB.
3
Re: Solar Generator batteries losing battery charge
+1 on it being time for a full load test. Your batteries may be near end of life.
> 5 minutes after water heated before taking readings
You need more like 5 hours if you are going to use voltage to determine SOC. Ie, measure resting voltage, apply load for 25% of batteries rated AH capacity, wait 5+ hours, measure voltage again.
> 5 minutes after water heated before taking readings
You need more like 5 hours if you are going to use voltage to determine SOC. Ie, measure resting voltage, apply load for 25% of batteries rated AH capacity, wait 5+ hours, measure voltage again.
jonr
1
Re: Newbie ready to go off grid
Yep - Apple, Samsung and Microsoft pull that to get new sales. Disgusting.
softdown
2
Re: local power company discourages solar installs
A year late, but you should see the asinine rules here in japan for solar. have to use one of the "approved" companies to install, they will not let you shop around for lower prices on parts, theirs or the road, and a hook up and unhook up fee that runs around 1k USD either way. all designed to make as much money on every inch of the transaction as possible. We put in 8k of grid tie about 4 years ago and we break even on it by the time you get finished taking it in the backside on every little thing supposedly at the 15 year mark we will start making money on it...not holding my breath. just built a 3.8k system for my cabin as the power is always dropping out for weeks at a time and up there due to lack of users, they are pushing a new plan with the central government to have the ability to either drop service, or make the end user pay for any repairs on lines etc. if the users on that line are not profitable for them. mind you all of this was paid for by taxes many years ago before the power companies were privatized Japan...land of the socialist government.
Re: Well, if you want lithium...
Ampster said:Interesting article. I was also surprised to see that Lithium batteries have the same market share as Lead Acid batteries. You wouldn't know that from reading forums like this.
Since LFP has been in use off grid for over a decade elsewhere, I wonder if the debate will still be going on in another ten years here. By that time there will be some new nano depleted uranium technology battery, or whatever, available which wI'll be .pondered whilst still using an ancient technology, lead acid, The King is dead, long live the King. Lead acid is on its way out, just like dinosaurs, it's called evolution or progress.
mcgivor
1
Re: LiFePO4 balancing / voltage limiting
Thanks for the info! Very nice to hear that as I was told that a couple years ago by an engineer at LG. I was translating Korean on google and there were some pauses that I thought weird. He said the same thing with the efficiency and I was skeptical after 25 years of lead acid and how it just degrades right from the start.
Nice to be past the fire season hump! Where I live the fire danger from wildfire is 2 weeks after the last rain. It almost never rains in the next 4 months so we are knee deep in it now. In the old days the insurance guys would look on google earth to actually see the terrain and how safe you had made the dwelling. Now they just say no.
It seems the Insurance companies learned nothing last year from the really bad fires. They said they were going to do physical inspections of the homes and base their rates on how safe the exterior of the home was. I think they just thought it was cheaper to raise everyone's rates.
Take care and again thanks!
Nice to be past the fire season hump! Where I live the fire danger from wildfire is 2 weeks after the last rain. It almost never rains in the next 4 months so we are knee deep in it now. In the old days the insurance guys would look on google earth to actually see the terrain and how safe you had made the dwelling. Now they just say no.
It seems the Insurance companies learned nothing last year from the really bad fires. They said they were going to do physical inspections of the homes and base their rates on how safe the exterior of the home was. I think they just thought it was cheaper to raise everyone's rates.
Take care and again thanks!
Re: Lithum, Battle Born battery, claims of peformamce and origin
Almost all manufacturers in China will make OEM with your logo, whatever you wish, Softdown Batteries, never have a hard landing, our batteries keep going when others have crashed, choose Softdown Battery , call us direct, call us collect, but call us today! The number is 1 800 BATTERY, 1 800 228 8379 "Warranty may be shorter than it appears, actual product may differ from promotional pictures, void where prohibited, batteries not included".......wait a minute isn't that what I buying ! ?softdown said:First post contains marketing text rather than engineering. Good chance they make nothing and simply resell with a large mark up.
Battle Born do assemble batteries from outsourced cells, they confirmed that in response to an inquiry, I do believe they they are attempting to do the right thing, but their prices are currently too high for what they are, just an option.
mcgivor
3
Re: How to mothball a depleted battery bank
When you bought the new batteries, you likely paid a "core charge" for the recyclable part of the batteries, and if you traded in your dud batteries, you could have avoided the $40 core charge / battery
Sometimes you can still sell them at the recycle yard $10 ea. but keeping old batteries around on float, and watering them till they die completely, is a lot of work.
Sometimes you can still sell them at the recycle yard $10 ea. but keeping old batteries around on float, and watering them till they die completely, is a lot of work.
