Stand alone PV for remote locations

teardropper
teardropper Registered Users Posts: 6
New poster here. Have a little experience with PV. Used a UniSolar 64 watt thin film PV and a couple of Trojan T-105 golf cart batteries in my RV when I traveled/livied in a for a couple of years. I got a little hands on experience. Now I want to use those panels as the basis of a charging station I can use in some of the remote places I sometimes go to. Like the Black Rock Desert. I'll use the panel, a small controller, new T-105 batteries, and a 1000 watt Statpower inverter. Pretty straight forward. I'll keep the batteries in a plastic case, side by side. My question is how to mount, and where to mount, the controller and the inverter, to be as weather proof as need be. Rain is not my main concern, but one of them, it's the dust I don't know about. Pervasive, sticky dust is common. Will I need to mount them in a box to keep the dust out, will they need to be vented, is heat build up a problem with either, or can I seal the controller in plastic? I'm probably not being very clear here. I want to use it in the desert and it's all outside. Any suggestions? I want to ask long time users of this forum to bear with me... Thanks, Mark

Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations

    Plan on 1/2 gallon of water /day, to wash the panels off, here's the gizmo I built for Black Rock
    http://ae-zone.org/2009/09/mikes-monolith-and-other-solar-systems/
    Now linked to my facebook page, which is open access to this album:
    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2074858&id=1196643274&l=7e66e96c3c


    I used a sheet of plywood, and some furring strips to build a triangular box, with the batteries in the bottom, as ballast.
    Trace C-12 controller was installed inside, and a couple hinges and propstick finished it off. w/out batteries, weighs about 50lb, and won't walk away by itself.
    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 ,

  • teardropper
    teardropper Registered Users Posts: 6
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations

    Interesting cart. Does the panel fold down? Is the two wheeler part of the set up? Did you mount the controller and the inverter in the wooden case? How about dust protection? This is a nice little unit. Do you still use it there?
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations

    http://www.mike-burgess.org/images/Mono_2005_CS_061.JPG
    http://www.mike-burgess.org/PVinfo_1.html

    The top is hinged, and folds flat to the rest of the chassis. Has a prop stick to help aim panel.

    Built very heavy and sturdy, and has been used to demo solar power in many venues.

    The AEZ website that had my construction plans, was re-organized, and I have to locate masters of the plans.
    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 ,

  • teardropper
    teardropper Registered Users Posts: 6
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations

    It looks like from your photos that you have your controller in the box but exposed to the elements. No adverse affects from playa dust? Do you leave your inverter out, too? And there was no damage to your panel, either? Thanks, your photos and help are much appreciated. Mark
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,433 admin
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations

    In general, the electronics need good cooling (if operated near maximum current/power levels). And while you can purchase conformal coated electronics (Morning Star C.C. many of their controllers)--dust is still going to be a big enemy.

    There are a few devices that are sealed (Outback makes some larger sealed inverters, and probably so does Xantrex)--but you may end up needing to build yours into an outdoor rated metal box--and possibly even need to provide shade (for example, a metal plate bolted on to the outside of the box with an inch or so of air gap for circulation).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations

    When the panel is oriented properly, the CC is shaded. The POS 300W inverter is never run near 300W, mostly around 80 daytime, and about 10 at night - for LED light strings. 2 group 27 batteries fit in the base, and the panel manages to charge it up pretty well.
    plans:
    http://72.9.246.186/~aezone/aezone/Designs/monolith/monolith.html
    Now linked to my facebook page, which is open access to this album:
    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2074858&id=1196643274&l=7e66e96c3c
    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 ,

  • teardropper
    teardropper Registered Users Posts: 6
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations

    Looks good. Might be able to make it work. I'd look at those plans if you have them. Am still concerned about the dust on the controller but it sounds like you used yours in the open without bad affects.
  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations

    Idle thoughts:

    Big, vented metal box.
    Cooling fan (i.e. computer-type "muffin" fan).
    Furnace filters adapted to block the dust.
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations
    Big, vented metal box.
    Cooling fan (i.e. computer-type "muffin" fan).
    Furnace filters adapted to block the dust.

    This dust we're speaking of, is fine clay/silt from a dry lake bed. You can smell it in clothes even after a couple washings. Takes 5 or 6 to get it all out. It just zings past filters. Wet humidifier mats are about the best filter, and you get cool air from it too.

    But sheltered under the panel, the C-12 does not seem to inhale much dust, and it's been ticking since 2000 or so.
    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 ,

  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations

    While I think the morning star sunsaver is a sealed unit Sold by NAWS;

    http://store.solar-electric.com/ss-6.html

    I know ASC makes a line of low amperage Charge controllers that are fully sealed or "epoxy encapsulated" My original worked well for me, then was used on my dads pontoon boat that lived in salt water!
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations
    mike90045 wrote: »
    This dust we're speaking of, is fine clay/silt from a dry lake bed. You can smell it in clothes even after a couple washings. Takes 5 or 6 to get it all out. It just zings past filters. Wet humidifier mats are about the best filter, and you get cool air from it too.

    But sheltered under the panel, the C-12 does not seem to inhale much dust, and it's been ticking since 2000 or so.

    I was thinking about the micro-allergen type filters as being possibly effective:
    http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/Green/EnergyConservation/FurnaceFilters/PRDOVR~0643440P/Filtrete%2525AE%252BMicro%252BAllergen%252BFilter.jsp

    It's a tough situation, that's for sure!
  • teardropper
    teardropper Registered Users Posts: 6
    Re: Stand alone PV for remote locations

    Well, I finally got a response from the manufacturer of the controller. They say, yes, the dust will hurt it. It must be in a sealed container. Yes, a sealed container. Since it a 15 amp unit and I will be drawing less than 4 for one 64 watt panel, the heat build up will not be significant. No venting is required. I probably build a clear plexi box with a lid, something I can see through to the gauges and led lights and still keep the dust out. I want to thank everyone who helped me, here. This is a great forum, and I'm probably not done with the questions.