A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

General Category => System Design and Layout => Topic started by: alyaz on January 17, 2013, 08:42:59 PM

Title: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: alyaz on January 17, 2013, 08:42:59 PM
Would love to see how you have three controllers running three separate solar arrays set up on your 'solar board.'

I need to have our controllers / solar components re-organzied as time has passed/progressed.

thanks... :-)
Title: Re: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: dgd on January 27, 2013, 06:34:18 PM
Quote from: alyaz on January 17, 2013, 08:42:59 PM
Would love to see how you have three controllers running three separate solar arrays set up on your 'solar board.'

I need to have our controllers / solar components re-organzied as time has passed/progressed.

thanks... :-)

Just curious but with 1.5kw existing panels and another 1.5kw waiting why are you using three controllers?
The two classics could easily handle 1.5K each.  :) ... and talk to each other with 'follow me' setup

Have I misunderstood you sig line and you actually have 1.5kw Sharp panels into a Classic and another 1.5Kw Sharp panels into the Apollo?
If so then the two Classics (150s?) could still handle half the total 4.5Kw each if battery is 24v or greater.

dgd
Title: Re: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: Halfcrazy on January 27, 2013, 08:13:59 PM
I assume you are asking about the physical installation not the function? Here is a picture of my 4 Classics.
Left to Right:
Windy-Has a Bergey XL1 on it
Solar LV-Has 3000 watts of Solar World 165's wired 2 in series
Solar HV-Has 3200 ish watts of suntech panels wired 5 in series
DC Genny-Has a DC generator feeding it

I used the MNDC15 breaker box with a 250 amp breaker wired directly to the batteries to handle the current and distribute to the 4 Classics.

Ryan
Title: Re: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: vtmaps on January 28, 2013, 12:02:30 PM
Quote from: Halfcrazy on January 27, 2013, 08:13:59 PM
Here is a picture of my 4 Classics.

Very neat!  It looks like your battery-inverter cables are in a different conduit than your classic-battery cables.  What's in your battery box (besides batteries)?  Do you have buss bars, fuses, disconnects, etc in there?

Also, I was under the impression (perhaps wrongly) that code requires that your equipment NOT be directly above the battery.  I struggled to configure my equipment so that my E-panel was not directly above my battery box.

--vtMaps
Title: Re: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: alyaz on February 03, 2013, 12:09:04 PM
Quote from: dgd on January 27, 2013, 06:34:18 PM
Quote from: alyaz on January 17, 2013, 08:42:59 PM
Would love to see how you have three controllers running three separate solar arrays set up on your 'solar board.'

I need to have our controllers / solar components re-organzied as time has passed/progressed.

thanks... :-)

Just curious but with 1.5kw existing panels and another 1.5kw waiting why are you using three controllers?
The two classics could easily handle 1.5K each.  :) ... and talk to each other with 'follow me' setup

Have I misunderstood you sig line and you actually have 1.5kw Sharp panels into a Classic and another 1.5Kw Sharp panels into the Apollo?
If so then the two Classics (150s?) could still handle half the total 4.5Kw each if battery is 24v or greater.

dgd

My 3 arrays are all in somewhat different locations on the property, the three arrays have different sets of specs and quality of sunlight during the day.  Just thought it would be best to try and maximize the sunlight on all three arrays.
Title: Re: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: alyaz on February 03, 2013, 12:14:59 PM
Quote from: Halfcrazy on January 27, 2013, 08:13:59 PM
I assume you are asking about the physical installation not the function? Here is a picture of my 4 Classics.
Left to Right:
Windy-Has a Bergey XL1 on it
Solar LV-Has 3000 watts of Solar World 165's wired 2 in series
Solar HV-Has 3200 ish watts of suntech panels wired 5 in series
DC Genny-Has a DC generator feeding it

I used the MNDC15 breaker box with a 250 amp breaker wired directly to the batteries to handle the current and distribute to the 4 Classics.

Ryan

Very nice setup.  Thanks for the picture.  Mine should be buttoned up today and will get a picture posted soon. 
Title: Re: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: alyaz on February 03, 2013, 09:16:13 PM
finally....   :P
Title: Re: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: Westbranch on February 03, 2013, 10:56:26 PM
Correct me if  am missing something, but it looks like 1 Delta and 1 SPD??
Title: Re: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: alyaz on February 03, 2013, 11:23:45 PM
yes, you're right...  the previous installer put a delta on the ac side ...  ???  input please...    cause ever since i saw 'halfcrazy's' setup, do you need an arrestor on each controller, etc?

unfortunately, out this way, you are lucky to find an electrician so you have to do your own homework....
Title: Re: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: Westbranch on February 04, 2013, 12:26:57 AM
for example from the MN library, http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/Magnum-AE120-240_with_DC-GFP.pdf.
I am just starting my assembly, but the recommendations have been for lots of SPDs if you have lots of lightening on DC in and AC out, CC , arrays and.......?
Title: Re: Anyone with three controllers / three solar arrays?
Post by: alyaz on February 04, 2013, 12:47:05 AM
copy, thanks for that...