Mixed system - Schneider and Midnight Classic or Outback
Hi Folks – As you see from below, I have a Schneider system (inverter, AGS and charge controller). I am working through my various options for adding more PV power. The problem is that I can only add another 1500watts of PV until I run into current handling issues with my 6AWG PV cable run.
I know that
adding a second charge controller would be the easiest way around this problem but
adding that second PV run has it’s own issues in terms of routing another PV
cable from the roof to my mechanical room (current PV cable was installed during
construction phase).
So, I am considering reconfiguring my PV array to run at a high voltage which
means getting a new charge controller. I had first thought to use Schneider’s
100/600 controller (although it’s expensive) but the starting PV voltage needs
to be very high (230VDC) for it to even run. That high PV starting point makes
very poor use of my existing investment in panels and shading issues because of
very few strings. In addition, I’m not sure if I can get anything out of the
controller on very cloudy overcast days (one issue I am trying to improve on).
So my question – I see a lot of guys running Midnight Classic OR Outback charge
controllers which are available in higher voltage variants (250V to 300V). The main drawback in my mind
is having different components and thus the SW monitoring solution gets clunky
between the 2 different types of gear. So many guys seem to mix gear that it
mustn’t be that big a deal. Any advice on a mixed system and alternative high
voltage (not too high) charge controllers?
Comments
-
I'm running two Schneider inverter systems, a 48V 6848 and a 24V 4024. Both have Midnight 200 controllers feeding their battery banks. The solar for both system is running at 120VDC. I don't worry about remote monitoring at all. I prefer sitting in the utility room at sunrise, coffee cup in hand, to watch system parameters.
System 1) 15 Renogy 300w + 4 250W Astronergy panels, Midnight 200 CC, 8 Trojan L16 bat., Schneider XW6848 NA inverter, AC-Delco 6000w gen.System 2) 8 YingLi 250W panels, Midnight 200CC, three 8V Rolls batteries, Schneider Conext 4024 inverter (workshop)
Categories
- All Categories
- 220 Forum & Website
- 128 Solar Forum News and Announcements
- 1.3K Solar News, Reviews, & Product Announcements
- 189 Solar Information links & sources, event announcements
- 886 Solar Product Reviews & Opinions
- 254 Solar Skeptics, Hype, & Scams Corner
- 22.3K Solar Electric Power, Wind Power & Balance of System
- 3.5K General Solar Power Topics
- 6.7K Solar Beginners Corner
- 1K PV Installers Forum - NEC, Wiring, Installation
- 2K Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum
- 5.5K Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems
- 424 Caravan, Recreational Vehicle, and Marine Power Systems
- 1.1K Grid Tie and Grid Interactive Systems
- 651 Solar Water Pumping
- 815 Wind Power Generation
- 621 Energy Use & Conservation
- 606 Discussion Forums/Café
- 300 In the Weeds--Member's Choice
- 74 Construction
- 124 New Battery Technologies
- 108 Old Battery Tech Discussions
- 3.8K Solar News - Automatic Feed
- 3.8K Solar Energy News RSS Feed