positive ground update

sam csam c Registered Users Posts: 16 ✭
in Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum #1
installed a flexmate 80, what a difference!. batts at float by 1pm, going to add more batts.
I now have 3 panels that are not being used (sunpower 48v 215 watts) the ground problem ( +) if I understand what i have read, is not going to be a problem at this voltage,?, 48 to 12,
I have been playing with the 3 extra panels by cutting them in and out of the circuit to keep the 80 at 75 amps output, early am, cloudy days,
is there a device to do this automatically
thank all of you for the help, SAM

Comments

  • DirtLifeDirtLife Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭
    #2
    Ahh interesting. Having enough panels to peak the Felx even on poor days. Have you reached out to Outback about just leaving the three on and over powering the guy? Perhaps it will accept the extra 15 to 18 amps and just waste it on good days? Maybe you could set up a strong excess use: water heater, air pump/ water pump storage up hill?
    I see this was ten years ago. You still with us Sam? 

    Also I’d like to hear how your life is going with that positive ground system. I’m knowingly walking into one now. 
  • TecnodaveTecnodave Registered Users Posts: 412 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    There is an issue with overpowering MPPT controllers. I am doing that with my MidNite controllers. I many stormey days in a row and when foul weather drops down on me I switch in extra banks for added power. This works well but the problem arises when you would be expecting total cloud cover, then cloud cover dissipates to full sun. The controller will not be able to use the extra power and will not operate the panels at MPP, the input voltage rises dramatically causing extra heating in the controller. My Classic's fans run continuously , Kid's are running noticeably hotter. Heat is the arch enemy of electronics. I normally run the Classis at 2400 watts out of the rated 2700 watt capacity , but switch in an extra 1200 watts /panels for cloud cover. My Kid's are rated about 800 watts at 24 volts but I am running 1200 watts /panels in in foul weather.  I am very hands on my solar system and am a amateur weather forecaster, logging into national weather service several times a day to see the satellite data,storm patterns.

    I would not recommend doing this if you can't keep an eye on things all the time. If I have to leave for any reason I assume that I will get full sun and switch out the extra banks.

    david
    2 Classic 150, 2 Kid, 5 arrays 7.5 kw total  2ea.  2S6P Sharp NE-170/NE-165, 1ea. 12P Sanyo HIT 200,  2ea. 4/6P Sanyo HIT 200, MagnaSine MS4024AE, Exeltech XP-1100,  2 Banks L-16 battery, Rolls-Surette S-530 and Interstate Traction, Shunts with whizbangJr and Bogart Tri-Metric, iCharger i208B  dc-dc buck/boost converter with BMS for small form lithium 8S 16650 or LiFePO4,
  • mcgivormcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,020 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Tecnodave said:
    There is an issue with overpowering MPPT controllers. I am doing that with my MidNite controllers. I many stormey days in a row and when foul weather drops down on me I switch in extra banks for added power. This works well but the problem arises when you would be expecting total cloud cover, then cloud cover dissipates to full sun. The controller will not be able to use the extra power and will not operate the panels at MPP, the input voltage rises dramatically causing extra heating in the controller. My Classic's fans run continuously , Kid's are running noticeably hotter. Heat is the arch enemy of electronics. I normally run the Classis at 2400 watts out of the rated 2700 watt capacity , but switch in an extra 1200 watts /panels for cloud cover. My Kid's are rated about 800 watts at 24 volts but I am running 1200 watts /panels in in foul weather.  I am very hands on my solar system and am a amateur weather forecaster, logging into national weather service several times a day to see the satellite data,storm patterns.

    I would not recommend doing this if you can't keep an eye on things all the time. If I have to leave for any reason I assume that I will get full sun and switch out the extra banks.

    david
    Weather forecasting is something I've abandoned, it seems I can manipulate weather, water the plants it rains, run the generator the clouds disappear, wash the clothes clouds move in, it's uncanny how that works.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery bank 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah FLA 24V nominal used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • jonrjonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,281 ✭✭✭✭
    edited February 12 #5
    Most MPPT controllers are designed to self-limit their input power to a level that they are designed to handle.    Electronics can run pretty hot without damage.

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

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