A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

General Category => System Design and Layout => Topic started by: eastpoint turbine on August 10, 2013, 10:57:45 AM

Title: combiner box
Post by: eastpoint turbine on August 10, 2013, 10:57:45 AM
Hi to all, finally got my classic 150 and combiner box  mnpv3  I cannot see anyway these breakers can fit into the box
250 amp----(fa1--80--16--825-12a-bg
max voltage      125
hertz                 dc
delay                 16
trip amps            313

60 amp    (ca1-x2-17-774-321-1
   I have the feeling these are the incorrect ones
please advise me on the correct ones
    Jason
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: Halfcrazy on August 10, 2013, 11:17:00 AM
Can you post pictures or links to the breakers? It sure sounds like the wrong breakers for that box. The MNPV3 uses MNEPV breakers http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=183&productCatName=Breakers&productCat_ID=16&sortOrder=16&act=p (http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=183&productCatName=Breakers&productCat_ID=16&sortOrder=16&act=p)

Here is a link to our breakers page maybe you can find the ones you have here and we can tell you what they would fit in? http://www.midnitesolar.com/products.php?menuItem=products&productCat_ID=16&productCatName=Breakers (http://www.midnitesolar.com/products.php?menuItem=products&productCat_ID=16&productCatName=Breakers)
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: eastpoint turbine on August 10, 2013, 12:12:06 PM
Below is a link to the 60 amp one I purchased.

http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=197&productCatName=Breakers&productCat_ID=16&sortOrder=11&act=p
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: dbcollen on August 10, 2013, 12:58:25 PM
Those are the wrong ones, you need the MNEPV breakers that are din rail mounted.
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: mahendra on August 10, 2013, 01:05:45 PM
yep those are definitely the wrong type you need the din rail ones for combiner boxes.
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: eastpoint turbine on August 10, 2013, 01:16:50 PM
Thanks guys, glad they were only 6 of them
now back to my 1 st post and question , how best to connect the six 24 v panels through the combiner and to the classic 2 strings of 3 or 3 of 2
  jason
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: mahendra on August 10, 2013, 01:19:38 PM
u need to know the specs of the panels ,your nominal battery voltage,and take into consideration on wire run length and cost.
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: mahendra on August 10, 2013, 01:24:50 PM
and before u do all of that u need to make sure u can connect two charge controller to that combiner,the only way i know that is possible is it must accommodate two separate sets of array (in your case i am thinking two arrays in strings of threes).think Ryan(halfcrazy) would be more appropriate on this.
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: mahendra on August 10, 2013, 01:26:20 PM
oh sorry yours is an mnpv 3 i think you may need an additional combiner.Check with the experts i may be wrong.
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: vtmaps on August 11, 2013, 07:28:24 AM
Quote from: eastpoint turbine on August 10, 2013, 01:16:50 PM
Thanks guys, glad they were only 6 of them now back to my 1 st post and question , how best to connect the six 24 v panels through the combiner and to the classic 2 strings of 3 or 3 of 2

We need more details... what is your system voltage?  What is Vmp, Voc, and Isc of your panels?  How long is the cable, and what gauge is the cable from combiner to controller? 

In your original post you asked about putting a 250 amp and a 60 amp breaker in the combiner box.  What were you planning to protect with that breaker? ... I've never heard of a string of panels that needed a 250 amp (or even a 60 amp) breaker.  Your panels should have a "series fuse" rating, and that is the size breaker you should put in the combiner. 

Don't forget to put a lightning arrestor in your combiner. 

btw, Midnite sells a mnpv3 with built in MC4 connectors.  Very cool.  You may need to inquire about it... last time I looked it wasn't listed in their catalog.

--vtMaps
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: mahendra on August 11, 2013, 01:27:01 PM
all true i think you need to to do some home work before you buy next time.
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: eastpoint turbine on August 11, 2013, 02:36:46 PM
Hold it fellows hold it, I may have jumped in at the deep end of the pool  and not made things clear from the beginning , so let's all forget the past and start  anew.
  my system consist of one 10 ft  24v Dan Bartman/Hugh piggott turbine,600 Ah Hawker batteries, 4 panels totalling 1020 watts, one magnum 4024 pea inverter. This has been working for me for over a year, WITHOUT a charge controller. I want to add 2 more panels ,was advised to get a CC and combiner box   etc  etc,
   Some say don't use more than 2 panels /string,   some say string all MPPT will charge the batt.!!!!!! just asking for your expert advise
     Jason
Title: Re: combiner box
Post by: Halfcrazy on August 11, 2013, 03:05:27 PM
what are you using for a charge controller? How far is it from the pv to the charge controller? And what make and model of panels do you have? Maybe you have the specs on them?

Ryan