Xantrex / Schneider GT Sizing Tool Found
sub3marathonman
Solar Expert Posts: 300 ✭✭✭
From long ago Xantrex had a great tool for calculating how many panels and strings could be used with the solar charge controller. Then it disappeared, apparently never to return.
But I have found the new and improved version called the Conext Designer Sizing Tool. I downloaded it from: http://solar.schneider-electric.com/product/conext-designer/ At first I thought people were supposed to buy it, because it has a "Where to Buy" link, but it is free.The strange thing is, you have to go down the page and it is then listed as "firmware" to click on, then you can choose for Windows or Mac. It has a large database of solar panels, and you can put in the specs for a panel if it isn't listed, so that is pretty good.
It then tells you based on your string/panel choices if you're doing excellent, good, or if there is a warning. It won't let you pick an unacceptable combination though, so apparently even with a warning it is still worth calculating if it will really work or finding out the times when your choices won't work.
I actually liked the old version better though, as it listed the string/panel numbers in a little chart, with green being good and red being questionable. It is tougher to figure out now, as you've got to enter each possible choice instead of seeing it in a chart.
I thought this might help some people, as for some reason Schneider has made it very difficult to find, and has also left the link to the old tool with a non-working website, which almost made me give up.
But I have found the new and improved version called the Conext Designer Sizing Tool. I downloaded it from: http://solar.schneider-electric.com/product/conext-designer/ At first I thought people were supposed to buy it, because it has a "Where to Buy" link, but it is free.The strange thing is, you have to go down the page and it is then listed as "firmware" to click on, then you can choose for Windows or Mac. It has a large database of solar panels, and you can put in the specs for a panel if it isn't listed, so that is pretty good.
It then tells you based on your string/panel choices if you're doing excellent, good, or if there is a warning. It won't let you pick an unacceptable combination though, so apparently even with a warning it is still worth calculating if it will really work or finding out the times when your choices won't work.
I actually liked the old version better though, as it listed the string/panel numbers in a little chart, with green being good and red being questionable. It is tougher to figure out now, as you've got to enter each possible choice instead of seeing it in a chart.
I thought this might help some people, as for some reason Schneider has made it very difficult to find, and has also left the link to the old tool with a non-working website, which almost made me give up.
Comments
The chart with the green and red selection chart is there it's just a little farther in. Gives nice print out of system after its planned.
Nice to have capabilities for the Chargers back again. That sizing tool has been missing for some time.
new2,
Do not know your exact situation, but, 18ea 260 STC watt PVs are 4680 W nominal. At customary de-rating, this could represent about 3600 W nominal output.
At 48 V battery voltage, this represents about 75 A output from a CC that that had that capability, about 68 A at Vbatt of 53 V, and about 62 A at a reasonable Vabs for Flooded batteries (at least those that are vented).
Not horribly over-PVed, but do not know Schneider's stance on over-PVing their CCs. That 60 A SCC is an OLD design ... But, agree, that it is often best to use integrated components of a power system that are from the same vendor.
All FWIW. Good Luck, Vic
You are planning on running this CC very close to its maximum rating. It is convection-cooled, so the temperature of the air surrounding the CC, along with Vin and Vout, will ultimately dictate just how much output current/power it chooses to produce from the available PV input.
You appear to be under the Max speced total Isc available from the PVs, for the several 260 W PVs that just looked at. You know best about the environmental conditions at the target site for this installation. And the temp coefficient of Isc is not large, but, when you identify the PV modules that you will actually use, you will probably want to look at Isc totals for the PV strings, and the Max total string Isc at your max temps ... this becomes a bit difficult to do in an absolute manner, but probably will want to look at this with some reasonable estimate of cell temps with assumed irradiance.
Do not know if the Scc monitors Max input current (there is probably no input current sensor, or at least not a very accurate one), but who knows. And if the historic maxinput current is stored in the Warranty Void Data area of the SCC's memory ...
Looks like you plan to run six strings of three PVs, so, at least this is divisible by two, if you choose to go with two CCs, in the beginning, or later, after some testing.
We cannot know how your system will evolve over time, and upgrades that you might make to batteries, PVs, etc. But, seems that with your existing 420 A Flooded batteries, the typical Max charge rate of about 13% of 20-hour Capacity is less than the absolute Max of the CC's capability, FWIW.
This SCC has a relatively low output current. One wonders if Schneider will be modernizing the SCC, and if so, what might its output current be.
One might try a single SCC to start with, while leaving the ability to easily add a second one, or perhaps sub in a more capable CC, later, if one should appear.
And so on ... It is often a good idea to NOT run power production hardware at full output for extended time periods, and charging batteries can be an extended time period of time. It is difficult to advise what one should do, especially in these large grey areas of how hard to push CCs, future upgrade paths, etc. But only you have the ability to make that decision, as you know.
Good Luck, Vic
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
E-mail [email protected]
What type, voltage&ah rated battery bank?
-Bill
Offgrid in cloudy PNW
MacGyver'ed museum collection of panels, castoff batteries and generators - ready for state of art system install ....
The software (in general, I have not looked at this specific software) does not "care" about the down stream loads (of which, GT connection through a hybrid inverter is "just another load").
-Bill
All that info is in my signature. Schneider mppt 60-150...48 volt system, 420AH.
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
E-mail [email protected]
Yes I understand 3500 watts, which is fine for now. I think if the array is about 4000 watts in size on less than optimal conditions it would help keep the output up as mentioned in previous posts. I will size the wires a bit bigger to the CC. #4 AWG
Conext Designer will produce a very nice summary print out of system and it can save the system for later recall or modification.
Therfore since you gentleman are the authorities on these system I ask is their any advantages of using the schneider vs the outback,apart from the obvious cc being 60a and 80a and inverter being 6000w and 8000w.
money is always a factor however I only plan on doing it right the first time.
Thanks for the link to the tool. It has been quite helpful. One thing I noticed, and maybe it was just me, is that it doesn't seem to calculate the wire lengths correctly? For example I put in cable length of 2 metres from the MPPT charger to the battery and the tool shows it is calculating for 22metres. Seems strange, and it gives me a large power loss due to wire size because of this. Anyone else seeing this?
I am experiencing the same thing, looks like a bug in the tool?