Setup and help with the wizard

[plongson]

Wow, where to start...

I have a new system that we just fired up and I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the setup parameters in the controller. Here is some background before I start.

1.) Midnite Clssic 250
2.) 16 Rolls Surrette 400Ah (two strings of eight for 800Ah) 48vdc.
3.) 10-235 watt panels fixed, no tracker 37.56voc 8.56 Isc
4.) Rest of the system is Magnum Energy stuff

My questions are around how to set the parameters asked by the wizard. What are the BEST settings and not the most conservative?

1.) Current Limit?
2.) Absorb Voltage?
3.)Absorb Minutes?
4.) Float Voltage?
5.) EQ Voltage?
6.) EQ Time?

Can you give me some solid numbers to input these values?

This seems to be an amazing controller and will obviously do tons more than I'm ready for right now. I just need to get off to a good start with a fresh set of $$$ batteries.

THANKS!!! in advance.

Paul

[dapdan]

Paul,

I have set up two system with similar equipment, namely the batteries and controller.

This is what I have used for the 48v install:

1. I have the current limit max out...so whatever that number is for your controller.
2. Absorb voltage 57.6v (surrette suggest 2.36-2.5 Vpc)
3. Absorb minues is set to minimu of 120.
4. Float voltage I have set to 54.4v
5.EQ voltage is 64v (surrette suggest 2.6Vpc)
6. I have used a minimum of 120mins, but have used 180mins at times. I think you should be ok with 120mins

Cheers...
Damani

[plongson]

Dapdan... you the man!

THANKS! Those are the numbers I will plug in!
I really appreciate the help
Paul

[Vic]

Paul,

Re the Asorb settings:

The time and voltage interact.  In the winter,  when PV input is often limited,  setting the Asorb voltage higher can help,  if it is likely that you will not have sufficient time to get through the Asorb stage.  Using a quality Hydrometer will help you monitor weather your battery bank is getting fully charged.  It is a very good idea to carefully monitor the SGs frequently,  until you are sure that you are are fully charging the bank.  Also,  the Asorb time will  need to be longer when the bank is more deeply discharged.

Surrette recommends 63.9 volts as max EQ,  IIRC.  And recall that they recommend the minimum voltage setting (at or above 61.9 V) that gets the job done in  a reasonable time
period.

Check the Surrette site for the Solar Battery Manual,  which specs charger parameters,  maintenance, etc:
http://www.rollsbattery.com/files/userfiles/SolarBatteryManual.pdf

  Good Luck,  Vic

[plongson]

I checked the SG this morning with just about one day being online and I had 1250 or 12.50  What is the target when the battery temp is around 50*f?

[Vic]

Paul,

At 50 degrees F,  you should subtract 8 points from the reading,  according to my thermometer.

Looks like you are doing fairly well in charging your bank, at 1.250-60.  Think that you were saying.  Perhaps a bit more Asorb voltage,  or a bit more time.

Congrats on your new system.    Vic

[plongson]

Hey Vic, Had to travel to Elko to a gold mine but I read your reply.

When I get back I'll make some adjustments. It's had a few days being uninterrupted or discharges so it will be interesting to see what the SG is.

I see you are running a Kubota 21kw genset. We have a Kubota SQ1200 rated the same and love it. So far the interaction with the magnum stuff is great. I really like the AGS-N auto start, is that what you have too? It works using the manual start but I haven't got it to start on it's own.

The parameters are voltage range, amp usage range and state of charge (SOC) and an OFF position for each one. I was wondering if only one parameter can be used at a time because when I had a voltage range of 47-58 and a testing known amp draw of 10a (on) - 6a (off), it would not start automatically.

Just wondering if you had the same device and had a trick up your sleeve.

THANKS, Paul

[Vic]

Hi Paul,

My Kubota is the SQ-3250 USA.  It is a great genset.  Very solid and well-built,  QUIET and fuel stingy.  Just ran it this AM,   to get some High-Rate charge on the batteries.  Like to do that every two or so months.  Would love to find another SQ 3259 genset for the new site that we are working on.

I do NOT use AGS.  Do have the Xantres AGS that is designed for the SW series inverters,  but do not use it -- always manually start the generator.  Seldom need to run it,  but it is nice to have it if needed.  And,  I know nothing of your AGS,  sorry.

Hope that you came back from NV with a truck full of gold, at little or no cost!

Good luck with the new system,  and residence.   Vic