E-panel to match Cotek ST1500 inverter ?

[Westbranch]

Which E-panel will best match up with the Cotek ST1500-124  inverter (w/ Auto Transfer Switch) with the least amount of fuss?

This Inverter is also sold under the Samlex brand.

Link to manual PDF is at bottom of this page :

http://www.skingcompany.com/Power_Inverters-ST1500-124_Samlex_America_Cotek_24V_1500_Watt_Pure_Sine_Wave_Power_Inverter_with_Transfer_Switch-P313.aspx

[Robin]

We make the Lite E-panels for unknown inverters. The Cotek is not going to be able to be installed to meet NEC, so you may be able to get by with a MNDC175. If you need the AC bypass breaker, then the MNE175LT will do the trick. I am guessing at the 175 amp breaker size. I have not done the math.

[Westbranch]

The Cotek is not going to be able to be installed to meet NEC .

Robin,  can you please expand on this aspect..
thanks

[Halfcrazy]

Basically what Robin meant was there are no conduit boxes or anything for this inverter. NEC (Electrical Code) does not allow for exposed battery cables.

Ryan

[Westbranch]

Thanks for the clarification Ryan.
Exposed anywhere in the circuit or just at the entry to the inverter?
Wasn't aware of the 'exposed  ' constraint.

[Photowhit]

Wow! I missed this. So my Prosine is no longer code compliant? When did this change? I thought only the AC side needed to be in a conduit. Where do they allow open cable or co I need a special battery now?

[Robin]

Exposed cables have never been allowed per the NEC. That is one reason you see home made plywood battery boxes. They run flex conduit from the inverter, E-Panel or what have you to the battery box. We make metal battery boxes and all of our E-Panels are capable of having flex conduit attached. You are also not allowed to have exposed batteries, AC wiring or anything like that. If wiring is at least 8 feet off the ground, it can be exposed. Hard to do that.

[Photowhit]

I was looking around and figured it wasn't correct, so with out covers the outback and magnum inverters aren't usable in a code restrictive enviroment.

I know this is off topic, and I understand, or think I understand "...If wiring is at least 8 feet off the ground, it can be exposed." not to be strickly true, as code changed recently making my 24 volt ground mounted array no longer code complient, as array voltages greater than 30 volts must have "restricted access"(I think that was the wording, NEC '08?) I took that to mean I could put a fence around the back of the array as there are no provisions for conduit.

So can I put the wiring in a restricted box or room so long as the disconnects are available? This sounds odd, but my CC, inverter and battery live outside. I have the electronics in a cabinet. Other than the battery cables all are in conduit, and I could run conduit to the power center, I have an old Trace(Pulse Enery) PC250.

I think we are currently pre 2008 in Missouri and I'm doing another ground mount array this year, but I understand there is a push to update to current NEC and even put other restrictions in Missouri in 2013. There is no enforcement in my county other than commercial use, but I'm worried about the future and would like to be code complient.

[LostLoon]

A bit of code I found the other day that I was never aware of-

NEC 348.12 Uses Not Permitted. FMC shall not be used in the following:...(3) In storage battery rooms...

Sort of an unusually specific requirement. It also makes approximately 97% of the battery based systems I have built non-compliant! I guess one can use LFMC but they sure are proud of that stuff once you get to the larger sizes...

[Vic]

For one of the first installs that I did,  was going to use 2.5" FMC.  The bend radius was nearly a "mile".  Could not use it without placing the inverters on the ceiling.  Have used EMT ever since.

In my area,  would be difficult to keep Rodents out of outside batt boxes.   Have seen many installations where the batt cables are OK,  but the RTS leads have been eaten through -- completely unconnected.  Not good for batt health.   Conduit is one's friend.  YMMV,  Vic

[Westbranch]

Vic, do you have any pics of a NEC compliant install?

[Photowhit]

I've had zero problems with rodents in my batery box, the electrical panel box is autonimous(?) and off the ground. I do sometimes have wasps building nests in the elctrical box, I made it tighter this year and haven't had that problem either. Mice love my 8'x3'x3' tool box/bench thingy just feet away.

No nesting materials, just 2 gallons of distilled water and a forklift battery, cables go through the wood into the electric box, Still using 4/O welding wire. 5 years and counting, 6 in Nov...

[Vic]

Wb,

I do have some pics,  but someone like Ryan who has been a real Pro installer for years  would probably be a good bet for some pix.  Will look for some,  and could take a few of a recent project,  altho,  my older digital cam is amazingly blind -- it has a 10:1 optical zoom,  and the F# must be over 100.  Need to step up to a new one ...

Photo..,  Glad that you have no Rodenta probs.   Here,  the mice will get into anything,  except a cargo container,  the Rats will gnaw into anything that they want to,  and all of them will pack in any bedding that they need.  Been a real problem the past two years.  Rats will gnaw through #14 AWG stranded and smaller wire,  and the rats and mice will  readily eat phone cable/RTS cable in a heartbeat.   The local area here is quite remote,  and many of us have moved into the natural habitat for these little beasties ... goes with the(ir) territory.   Keep cool,  Vic

[boB]

Just a couple of examples...

http://www.midnitesolar.com/gallery/galleryPhoto.php?menuItem=gallery&galleryCat_ID=1&gallery_ID=102

http://www.midnitesolar.com/gallery/galleryPhoto.php?menuItem=gallery&galleryCat_ID=1&gallery_ID=101

[nigel]

For one of the first installs that I did,  was going to use 2.5" FMC.  The bend radius was nearly a "mile".  Could not use it without placing the inverters on the ceiling.  Have used EMT ever since.

In my area,  would be difficult to keep Rodents out of outside batt boxes.   Have seen many installations where the batt cables are OK,  but the RTS leads have been eaten through -- completely unconnected.  Not good for batt health.   Conduit is one's friend.  YMMV,  Vic

Been there, done that, got the T shirt to prove it. Not only devoured the RTS cables but turned my batt box insulation in to nesting material.
Final solution have a dozen semi ferral cats !

Nigel