Midnite E panel ?

verdigo

I have a Midnite e-panel MNE125AL. This link http://www.solar-electric.com/epaforouin.html shows that it is good to go for my Outback inverter. ( GVFX3648 ) The Outback FX series inverter installation manual states a requirement for a 60a breaker for "AC hot in" and a 30a breaker for "AC hot out". It also states that 6 AWG wire should be used for AC connections. The Midnite e-panel is pre-wired with 8 AWG wire and all 50 amp breakers.

Is there something I'm not getting here?

Thanks again.

Dennis

Vic

Re: Midnite E panel ?

Hi verdigo,

I am not a Code expert, and know little about all of the e-panels, but;

1. MidNite Solar is a real expert company. They do not offer sub-standard hardware.
2. This e-panel is NEC Compliant, ETL tested and listed for a specific application. If your use is listed as a permitted application for this e-panel, then it is compliant.
3. #8 AWG THHN cable @ 75 degrees C, is rated for 50 Amps in conduit/raceway, and 70 Amps in Free Air. Short runs of cable in metal boxes can often be considered Free Air, and so on.
4. 50 A AC on one of the Outback 48 V Inverters equates to about 6,000 watts. This is well above the continuous current capability of these OB Inverters.

Know that MN knows what they are doing, and you can trust them, IMHO.

Just my opinions, Good Luck with that installation. Vic

vtmaps

Re: Midnite E panel ?

verdigo wrote: »

It also states that 6 AWG wire should be used for AC connections. The Midnite e-panel is pre-wired with 8 AWG wire and all 50 amp breakers.

When you say the ePanel is prewired with #8, I presume you are referring to the wiring between the buses and and the breakers. Did the inverter come prewired to the ePanel, or is that something you will do? If you do it, you can use #6 between the inverter and the buses. Once you connect to the buses, you should assume (as Vic mentiond) that Midnite has done it correctly. Rated ampacity of wire depend on many things. For example, a bare wire may be rated higher than an insulated wire which may be rated higher than an insulated wire in conduit.

--vtMaps

verdigo

Re: Midnite E panel ?

vtmaps wrote: »

When you say the ePanel is prewired with #8, I presume you are referring to the wiring between the buses and and the breakers.

Did the inverter come prewired to the ePanel, or is that something you will do? If you do it, you can use #6 between the inverter and the buses. Once you connect to the buses, you should assume (as Vic mentiond) that Midnite has done it correctly. Rated ampacity of wire depend on many things. For example, a bare wire may be rated higher than an insulated wire which may be rated higher than an insulated wire in conduit. --vtMaps

Yes, The e-panel comes with a ground bus, "AC hot in", "neutral", and "AC hot out" connection blocks. Two 50 amp breakers wired and assembled as an inverter bypass interlock, and a 50 amp breaker used as an AC disconnect on the AC side.

I am not worried about the wire handling the current so much as it passing inspection to be grid connected. Just wondering why the difference between Midnite, and Outback on the specs. The e-panel and inverter were separate purchases.

Vic

Re: Midnite E panel ?

Hi Dennis,

From a blurb for the MidNite e-panel that you noted in your first post.

" ...The MidNite Solar E-Panel ... comes with all the properly sized over-current devices like circuit breakers and DC disconnects as required by the national electric code. All MidNite E-Panels are ETL listed to UL and CSA standards and can be used in residential and small commercial installations ..."

This e-panel is a LISTED item, and as long as you follow the installation instructions regarding wire size and type, and conduit/raceway uses, there should be NO problem at all. It will have an ETL sticker on it, and as such, should be beyond question, in my opinion.

Personally, would recommend using #6 AWG THHN - THWN ... etc rated cables for all of the AC ins/outs that you need for your part of the installation. For very long runs from any genset, or to the building using the power, perhaps a larger sized cable might be needed.

And use appropriate cable sizes and types for your DC interconnects, as well, protected (conduit/raceway etc), as required by the Code that your inspecting Authority requires. Plus any additional requirements that that AHJ might have.

Have Fun! Just my opinions, Vic

verdigo

Re: Midnite E panel ?

Its suppose to be fun. That's what the original intent was anyway. Thanks for the reply's. I guess I'll just continue on with everything the way it is using the 6 AWG wire. I just keep thinking the inspectors is going to think I just reached into a bucket of breakers and what not and used the first thing I put my hand on. The auto transformer has 25 amp breakers. Can't wait to fire this thing up.

Dennis

vtmaps

Re: Midnite E panel ?

verdigo wrote: »

Can't wait to fire this thing up.

I just noticed in your signature that you already have your batteries, and "None of this stuff is working yet". How long have the batteries been sitting around waiting for a charge?

--vtMaps

verdigo

Re: Midnite E panel ?

Yeah. I have had them for 6 or 8 months. Initially I kept them charged them in pairs with an auto charger. I have had the DC side of the system up for quite a while now on 1120 watts of panel with the classic hooked up to batteries. Actually we have a good sun day going on here, and I am doing an EQ with solar today. Hope to get the inverter inverting today as well. If I do I may cycle the batteries and check the cells tomorrow with a hydrometer. I have set it to EQ for one hour. The batteries have never sat without re-charging for more than a couple of weeks and it has been pretty cold out as well. I am only 20 or so min into the EQ now and they are only taking 2 amps. The array usually will put out 16 amps when I first turn on the classic, and will drop quickly afterward. Yesterday it was floating at a half an amp. Do you think 1.5 hours is long enough for an EQ?

Thanks

Dennis

Cariboocoot

Re: Midnite E panel ?

Equalization is not a function of current. It is sustained higher-than-normal charging Voltage for the purpose of forcing the cell SG up in any that may be lower than than acceptable. Nor should it be judged on a basis of time. Actually measuring the specific gravity is the key to doing an EQ charge, starting with an initial reading. If there is no or very little difference between cells there is no need for the EQ process at that time.

By the way, if you have questions about MidNite's products they are very good about answering them. You can't beat getting the info straight from the manufacturer and they have an excellent customer service reputation. I suspect the difference is from Outback planning on max charge & max output rate at the same time (60 Amps * 120 Volts = 7200 Watts) and MidNite's sizing is more realistic. So long as the wiring suits the breakers it will work.

verdigo

Re: Midnite E panel ?

Cariboocoot wrote: »

By the way, if you have questions about MidNite's products they are very good about answering them. You can't beat getting the info straight from the manufacturer and they have an excellent customer service reputation. I suspect the difference is from Outback planning on max charge & max output rate at the same time (60 Amps * 120 Volts = 7200 Watts) and MidNite's sizing is more realistic. So long as the wiring suits the breakers it will work.

From my leaning experience viewing and discussing various topics on this forum I gathered as much about the Midnite products. I didn't intend to imply there were quality issues with them, although reading back through it my comments may have come off that way.

I will take your advice and contact the manufacturers for any more questions.

Thanks

Dennis