Best Inverter/Controller location

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Comments

  • JoeContiRC
    JoeContiRC Registered Users Posts: 16 ✭✭
    Lumisol said:
    What's the thing in the diagram labeled inverter/controller then? Just a mislabeled controller?
    My mistake - I believe I wrote above that I am not using an inverter .. sorry about that :) 
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thank you for that - but I am running a 100% 12v system. No inverter here :) 
      [  You mean a 100% DC system at 12V.  I have a couple spots using 12V AC from a transformer. ]
    Then each wire has to be thick enough to have less than 2% voltage drop under max load.    The cost of all that extra copper wire will likely be more than upgrading to an inverter to prevent the voltage loss problems.  Sorry.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • JoeContiRC
    JoeContiRC Registered Users Posts: 16 ✭✭
    mike95490 said:
    Thank you for that - but I am running a 100% 12v system. No inverter here :) 
      [  You mean a 100% DC system at 12V.  I have a couple spots using 12V AC from a transformer. ]
    Then each wire has to be thick enough to have less than 2% voltage drop under max load.    The cost of all that extra copper wire will likely be more than upgrading to an inverter to prevent the voltage loss problems.  Sorry.
    I see your point and a valid one too - just trying to use what I have to power a hobby room with 3 strips of LED lights for about 10 hours a week - nothing else 
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Depending on the quality of the LED drivers, they may work ok. but you mentioned low voltages, did the light get low too ?
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • JoeContiRC
    JoeContiRC Registered Users Posts: 16 ✭✭
    mike95490 said:
    Depending on the quality of the LED drivers, they may work ok. but you mentioned low voltages, did the light get low too ?
    I am getting 13.4v at the light toggle switch .. when I turn it on it drops by 1.1v - but I know that is due to the inadequate wires i am using until the new wiring gets here .. the whole lighting unit you see above it putting a 2.5A load on the system - voltage showing in picture was after a very long period of usage one evening.