Dead Brat

[BobWhite]

Hi everyone, Sadly enough I managed to foolishly kill a brat, I am curios as to how and reviewed my actions prior to its death! The good thing is that it was able to go threw an operation and brought back to life. (It gets a second chance) The only thing I can come up with is that the panels were quite high in power but not the cause! I did power up the Brat or attempt to while power was coming in at 67 volts from the panels Voc.  (forgot to turn the Panels off) and (forgot to take them out of series) STUPID I know! I'm cleaning up my system and doing it right but I would like to know what could happen by doing this? Please give it to me strait. I have it fused at 20 amps and never have had a fuse blow but if one did and I replaced it without shutting the panels off is a big reason I would ask this question. 

[Westbranch]

A bit more detail as to how many in series ad parallel etc will help us understand what the system suffered...

and what was the life saving action you took???

[BobWhite]

A bit more detail as to how many in series ad parallel etc will help us understand what the system suffered...

and what was the life saving action you took???

Thank you Westbranch,
Specs:

Suncase MX 60                                      235

Module power Pmax, W                      235

Rated voltage Vmpp, V                       29.8
Rated current Impp, A                         7.88
Open circuit voltage Voc, V                37.0
Short circuit current Isc, A                  8.45
Maximum system voltage, V               600

Module efficiency %                           14.0
Cell efficiency %                                 16.1
Max series fuse rating A                     15

2 in series to the Brat charging 2 lifeline gpl 31t batteries in series, the resting voltage was 25.2 volts according to the pentamatic meter.

Sent it in and had it repaired.
I would throw in a picture but haven't figured how to do that yet.
Walt

NOTE: should I ask what can or should be the result of powering up a CC with incoming power from the panel ON?

[tecnodave]

Bob,

I don't have a Brat but from what I understand........put your panels in parallel.... There is NO advantage in series hookup with a PWM type controller. For a 24 volt system use a array voltage around 36 volts........a 72 cell mono or poly panel is perfect for this.....unfortunately you have 60 cell panels that have a lower voltage but you will get way more power in parallel.


Best way to destroy any solar controller........too much input voltage.....usually terminal....
I destroyed a BZ500 with 4 75 watt thin film panels (72 vmp. 92 v.o.c. ). In parallel on one surprise freezing morning , V.O.C. zoomed up to 112 volts and toasted the BZ on impact

When first connecting up....battery first ...then input.

When powering up for day.....turn on power to brat with panels connected

td

[BobWhite]

Thank you TD!
I did have 2 panels in parallel when I first set up the brat and very happy with its performance. Unfortunately I put the panels in series to run another system but didn't put them back before going back to the brat. I thank you for the recommendation on panels and will look into a good match and hook both Brats up permanently and properly! Ill take my time and do it right.

Walt

[BobWhite]

I can see there isn't any interest in this topic, either you don't know, or how stupid can I be! I'm lost on that question but thought someone would know the answer as it should be simple I'm sure! Any ways might just let it be, your all great.

Walt

[Westbranch]

this question?

NOTE: should I ask what can or should be the result of powering up a CC with incoming power from the panel ON?

what does the manual say?

IF it was a Classic it says power up from the battery first... then PV

At the bottom of page 8 in the manual

First turn on the disconnect/breaker to the battery. 
Next turn on the breaker/disconnect to the solar panels
and finally turn on the breaker/disconnect to the loads (if any)


If an Error is present the LEDs will indicate the error code (See Error Codes on page10)

[BobWhite]

this question?

NOTE: should I ask what can or should be the result of powering up a CC with incoming power from the panel ON?

what does the manual say?

IF it was a Classic it says power up from the battery first... then PV

WB, I do understand that, I've read the manual! My question is why! I'm not looking for because we say so, I'm looking for the reason it needs to be booted up in this manner or what are the consequences if you don't? Is it that it will melt down, maybe just explode in your face or just not do anything for the day because you didn't do what I want you to do when I wanted you to do it!
I'm looking for the end result of having power to the CC from the panels before powering up the CC? What is going to happen? Shorten the life of the CC or it just wont work, period.

[BobWhite]

this question?

NOTE: should I ask what can or should be the result of powering up a CC with incoming power from the panel ON?

what does the manual say?

IF it was a Classic it says power up from the battery first... then PV

At the bottom of page 8 in the manual

First turn on the disconnect/breaker to the battery. 
Next turn on the breaker/disconnect to the solar panels
and finally turn on the breaker/disconnect to the loads (if any)


If an Error is present the LEDs will indicate the error code (See Error Codes on page10)

If you don't know what happens you will never know what happened when the time comes!!

I do thank you WB!!! For your interest!!!

Walt

[Westbranch]

I just scanned the error codes and It looks like they have all the bases covered with what it can tell you is wrong. 

Though if it's like the Classic, you will not see anything if the Brat was not (battery) powered on first.

It should appear as if it was dead...the reason? is the PV does not provide any power to the Brat from what I can see...

[BobWhite]

I just scanned the error codes and It looks like they have all the bases covered with what it can tell you is wrong. 

Though if it's like the Classic, you will not see anything if the Brat was not (battery) powered on first.

It should appear as if it was dead...the reason? is the PV does not provide any power to the Brat from what I can see...

Thank you WB, I appreciate as to how you keep on top of these little things! I will try to abide with the rule's but still like to know the reasons behind the rule. In my line of work its hard to fix a problem if you don't know the cause!

Thank you again!!!

Walt

[Highflyer]

Wait,

I think you might be asking about the PWM controllers "wiring."  Battery voltage is the reference.  Without the battery, the brat does not know what to do with the power coming from the panels. 

Don't know if this help, or if I am going to get a scolding, but I can take it!! 

[BobWhite]

Wait,

I think you might be asking about the PWM controllers "wiring."  Battery voltage is the reference.  Without the battery, the brat does not know what to do with the power coming from the panels. 

Don't know if this help, or if I am going to get a scolding, but I can take it!! 

Brian,

No scolding from me! That makes since to me, I think everyone tries to help and I really appreciate that! I'm thinking that nothing will happen right away but will most likely shorten the life of the controller. I am trying to attach a photo of what I did to the Brat. I've put a classic in its place for now until I can set it up for the brat correctly and feel good about the way its set up, I think I'm asking to much from it. And most likely at its max so ill down size and add another brat to the system, one brat with one 24 volt panel and one battery bank. I'm thinking 200w panels at 24 volts and 2 group 31 agm in series for 24volts. That should be a safe set up.