Wiring Diagrams Resource

gregbyst

Hi everyone. I've been learning about solar the past month or so and I have purchased most of what I need. I haven't gotten my combiner box for my solar panels yet or any of my wires or fuses for pretty much anything. Is there a handy resource available anywhere that will show me how the wiring is supposed to be configured including where to put fuses/breakers/battery switches, and how to properly size those things? 

Thank you.

BB.

Welcome to the forum Gregbyst,

We can help you with the calculations and configuration... Can you tell us a bit more about your system?

Battery bank type/size of batteries/number of batteries/12 or 24 or 48 volt system
Solar array size of panel, number of panels, Vmp and Imp of panels
Solar charge controller brand, model, and size
Rough location of system (nearest major city)
Any information on system energy usage (Amp*Hours at XX Volts, Watt*Hours per day, type of loads, full time or weekend usage, etc.)

-Bill

mike95490

So much of what you are asking about, is site specific.   If everyone used a 18' con-ex box, oriented N-S on a 20deg tilt., then there can be a generic plan.   I want the batteries in a doghouse outside.   I need the batteries inside for winter warmth.  I put my panels landscape........  It just goes on and on...

gregbyst

Thanks for responding! 

My battery bank will be four 200ah AGM batteries total wired in series and then parallel. It will be a 24v 400ah battery bank. 

My solar array is 9 (6 on the roof and 3 as a ground array) 260 watt, 30.7 Vmpp, 8.5 Impp panels AND 3 (on the roof) 130 watt, 57.11 Vmpp, 2.28 Impp panels. 

I live in Long Beach, CA and we are living in it full time. 

I will attach links to the amazon of the stuff I have purchased/plan on purchasing. 

DC to DC step down converter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B4HLLWJ/ref=crt_ewc_title_srh_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AXLVUUCJK6134

Solar combiner: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSYSU3G/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1SP98WGWASGYA

Inverter (includes auto transfer switch and charger): https://www.amazon.com/SUNGOLDPOWER-Inverter-Battery-Frequency-Converter/dp/B00DE97PH0/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=24v+300+watt+inverter+charger&qid=1602222898&sr=8-12

Charge Controller ( I think I have to return this one and get a different one which ill explain below): https://www.amazon.com/OOYCYOO-Controller-Regulator-Blacklight-Lead-Acid/dp/B07T63R5TK/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=ooycyoo+100+amp+charge+controller&qid=1602220585&sr=8-2

Battery Shut Off switch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XTDSD4B/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A67FFQ1POP4BF

Positive and Negative Bus Bars: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZZGV5G/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Battery Monitor: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0824X5MKM/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0824X5MKM&pd_rd_w=ivs1W&pf_rd_p=7d37a48b-2b1a-4373-8c1a-bdcc5da66be9&pd_rd_wg=F2FHS&pf_rd_r=YWRYMM8B4CP1XJ17C90Q&pd_rd_r=e54ca37f-3a0c-4518-908f-797533f067c1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFVRzhOM0lSM05RMlImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzMTgzNDgzQlNaVFpPWEdZUkkmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDEwODIzOTk1RDFBVUM3UjgwNCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

I know I will also need the wires and connectors for the panels and for the charge controller to the batteries, for the batteries themselves, for the inverter, the 120 AC wires from the inverter to the AC/DC power converter RV brain, and various fuses (though Im not very knowledgeable about where exactly to put them and what rating). 


I think I need a different charge controller because I called Midnight solar (the company for the solar combiner I am going to purchase to confirm that it would do the trick for me) and tech support told me I should wire my panels in series not just have all of them parallel. Since I have odd numbers I have to wire them in triplets instead of Pairs. My charge controller is only rated for 92 volts, and wiring them in triplets will increase the voltage too high for it to handle. He said you have to look at the panels VOC though not the Vmpp. The reason he gave for all this was because my panels will not charge my 24volt battery bank effectively unless the voltage is higher to compensate for when the sun is not as strong/direct on the panels such as in the mornings and evenings. My other alternative would be to downgrade to only 8 panels, wire pairs of them in series and then wire the four pairs in parallel. That would keep me under the 92 voltage limit but I don't want to lose 260 watts of my system. 

I want to run my AC off of solar power when the sun is shining and maybe for a small amount of time off battery power. I do have a generator though so I'm not too concerned with it but I'd rather it be a back up than a regularly used thing. I think on average we run the AC 4-5 hours a day which uses like 1600 watts continuously with everything else. When the AC is not running we use around 300-500 watts for the day and at night we use around 175 watts an hour. 

gregbyst

BTW, I forgot to mention I plan on having a separate charge controller for the 3 panels that are different. I just haven't looked into getting one yet as that can wait a while. One thing I'm confused about though is how will the two chargers know how to interact with each other if they're both charging the batteries? Do they even need to or is charging the batteries from two different sources okay? 

mike95490

I would like to make you aware that the batteries and their replacement expenses, will likely be more that the the electricity you save.

If this is for emergency backup too, then keeping the ice cream in the freezer cold for 3 days, is priceless.

gregbyst

No it's for my fifth wheel. My gf and I will be boon docking and living that way for the foreseeable future, so the cost will definitely be worth it. 

Dave Angelini

Since you may or may not have bought this gear, I would urge you to consider the store here also for purchase. They sell quality equipment that they support, along with manufacture support down the line. Much of what is on Amazon is a 30 day decision and then you are on your own with chinese companies that may not be around when you need them. I like Amazon so do not get me wrong. 

If this is long term and you will depend on it, just an FYI.

gregbyst

Dave Angelini said:

Since you may or may not have bought this gear, I would urge you to consider the store here also for purchase. They sell quality equipment that they support, along with manufacture support down the line. Much of what is on Amazon is a 30 day decision and then you are on your own with chinese companies that may not be around when you need them. I like Amazon so do not get me wrong. 

If this is long term and you will depend on it, just an FYI.

Thanks for letting me know! I am buying warranties for the expensive items so they will last me at least 5 years. Do you think that's fine?