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PV Combiners => Standard non-disconnecting PV Combiner Discussion => Topic started by: mirra on May 18, 2020, 01:21:54 PM

Title: mnpv6 with 2 controllers
Post by: mirra on May 18, 2020, 01:21:54 PM
hi all

question can in split mnpv6 to run 18 295 solar panels in two controllers

split 3 strings one side and 3 string to other  ?
Title: Re: mnpv6 with 2 controllers
Post by: ClassicCrazy on May 18, 2020, 01:36:34 PM
I did that before  I cut the breaker buss bar in half and taped up the ends to make sure they wouldn't touch . Though one problem is I think the buss bar only comes with one terminal  lug that fits into it . ( looking at some photos now not sure if the breaker buss bar comes with one or two lugs - I see photos of both ) So you need to figure out some other way to attach the wire to  the other half. And then you need to decide if your negatives can share the common negative buss bar or if those need to be isolated from each other too.

Larry
Title: Re: mnpv6 with 2 controllers
Post by: mirra on May 18, 2020, 02:04:23 PM
thanks Larry

how can i know if i can share all the pv grounds?  i  have 2 fm 80

Title: Re: mnpv6 with 2 controllers
Post by: Vic on May 18, 2020, 02:11:26 PM
Hi mirra,  Welcome to the Forum.

The last time that I used an MNPV  6,   IIRC,   the upper positive busbar (the combined output,  that feeds the CC input),   was segmented  --  two busses,  that overlapped  --   for use with a single Charge Controller (CC),   or separated,  when feeding two  CCs.

At that time,  believe that there might have been only a single Lug for connection of the positive  cable,   feeding the CC,   that came with that Combiner.   IIRC,   each half of the positive busbar had a square hole,  that accepts cable Lug/s.

If the CCs need isolated negatives from each PV Array,   the MNPV6 has provisions for mounting a second Negative busbar (but this busbar needs to be purchased separately).

Here is some info on the MNPV Combiners,  with a diagram that shows an MNPV6 feeding two separate CCs:
EDIT to fix link:
http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/MidNite%20PV%20Combiners%20explained%20w%20diagrams.pdf

Vic
Title: Re: mnpv6 with 2 controllers
Post by: Vic on May 18, 2020, 02:14:26 PM
Hi mirra,

I am NOT Larry,   but  only Schneider CCs,   the MNKID,   and one,  or two oters  --  the Bluesea (?) and perhaps the PT-100  CCs must have separate grounds for each array,   for battery-based systems.

Vic
Title: Re: mnpv6 with 2 controllers
Post by: Vic on May 18, 2020, 02:26:25 PM
The following Combiner manual DOES refer to cutting the single busbar,   so it is not clear (to me),  what is the state of current-production MNPV6es:

http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/MNPV3_6_REV-H_10-010-1__manual.pdf

FWIW, Vic
Title: Re: mnpv6 with 2 controllers
Post by: boB on May 18, 2020, 08:53:39 PM

Vic, that first link appears to have been a link to a file on your local computer ?

boB
Title: Re: mnpv6 with 2 controllers
Post by: Vic on May 18, 2020, 09:54:07 PM
Hi boB,

Thanks,   indeed,   â€¦   had tried to save the Pic of just that one diagram,   but could not   â€¦   gotta phone call,   and did not ever get back to test that link (as we usually do).

SO,   near the bottom of the following doc,   there is a pic of a dual CC with split Positive busbars:

http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/MidNite%20PV%20Combiners%20explained%20w%20diagrams.pdf

Edited the prior Post with the defective link.

Thanks.   Believe that the exactness of just what the present configuration of the MNPV6 busbars,   buss lugs,   etc IS now,  is not clear to me.  There were some changes,  with the advent of Fuses,   HV,   etc.

Thanks for awakening me,  boB.   Vic