Array sizing/configuration determination

[Westbranch]

I was looking all over the MN site looking for a tool/chart that would allow me to compare 2 totally different array possibilities eg  '12 V' panels vs  '22 V' (GT) panels..... but I cannot find one anywhere on the MN site. 

I see that you can choose the voice of choice to guide you through the set up but that is too late if you have to choose/buy one of the models first..

Location where the tool /chart can be located?

[Halfcrazy]

We are working on it boB has to finalize a few menu items so Rob can get it all tuned up I will try to get it done as soon as possible

[Halfcrazy]

Ok here is the wizard as it was Rob is working on the new one but the string sizing and voltage drop portion should stay the same. Feel free to play with it and note any issues or questions here on this thread. If the site asks for a Password it is Controller with a Capitol C.

http://www.midnitesolar.com/classic/classicCP.php

[keithwhare]

Working through the online simulation, there are three screens that have you enter the Latitude & Longitude. The first one allows me to select Haiti using cross hairs. The second uses cross hairs but doesn't go farther south than 30 degrees N latitude. The third one allows me to enter the numeric lat & long.

Why 3?

Why doesn't the second go farther south than 30 Degrees N?

[Halfcrazy]

I suspect that is a bug in the early online version we should have our latest version up any day I just wanted to bring this one out to have the string sizing etc online I will pass this on to the engineer's though to make sure.

[niel]

there was also a section that didn't want to accept a voltage as low as 12v as i was trying to bring it down from i think 48v. it is vague to me exactly where i saw that, but i think it might've been for acceptance voltage settings.

[Vic]

Have been playing with the Wizard Simulation,  and it is cute ...  guess that this is very similar to what ships as code within the Classic (?)

EDIT:  I like a number of the features in the Wizard.  Nice to have Lat/Long input,  nice that it inferrs panel charactericts from  a couple data points, the wire size suggestion is another surprise ...   and would never expect a built-in Wizard to prescribe BOS solutions by P/N !

However,  as cute as this all is,  I am wondering if there is a plan,  any time soon,  to have more of an on-line, tabular string size/Classic product selector.  In trying to look at a numnber of different panel/string/Classic product scenarios,  one needs to start over a number of times,  re-entering all of the data again (at least for trying a certain  of options).   It would seem nice if there was  one entry of Lat/Long, bank size,  Bat voltage etc,  and try this and that  to one's heart content.  

If one wants to look at the tradeoffs twix a Cl 150 vs a CL 200,  it seems a bit tedious.   Aslo comes up when guessing at the lowest temperature for the site and so on.

And noticed a couple of things in the simulation:
1. When the Hyper Voc is approached or exceeded,  one of the questions asked of the user is something like Classic X?   I do not know what this is,  and have been unable to successfully satisfy this question.

2.  Is there any concern about the wire size computation ?  Ran one array where 1/0 wire was proposed @ 0.39% drop,  With the same CL 150 controller,  ran half the number of four panel strings,  and the proposed wire GA was #6 AWG with a stated drop of 0.78% ... must be something (among many) that I'm missing.

Know that you folks are very busy,  and do not wanna rag on you ...   Thanks,     Vic

[Kent0]

This spreadsheet is hardly competition for the simulation in terms of cuteness.  But you don't have to run the whole simulation to try various PV arrays.

This is a work in progress.  Batteries above 48 volts aren't considered.  There may be other problems too.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Vic]

Hi Kent0,

Thanks for sharing UR spreadsheet.  I do not have Office,  and hav'nt run a .xls in years.  Will poke around on the web to find a way to run it.

Thanks again,  am sure that it IS cute !           Vic

[Kent0]

Try Open Office The Free and Open Productivity Suite.

[Robin]

The Wizard is not yet perfect. I will direct Rob to pay attention to these threads. You guys are better at breaking it than we are. Just not enough time to test every combination, so keep it up and keep on commenting.
As far as Maverick not being listed.... Maverick is a dealer. The list on our website is for stocking distributors. A few of them also sell retail. You can get units now at Wholesale Solar. Maverick has some if he will answer the phone. Naws will soon have some and also Sun Electronics. All of the distributors will be getting them. DC Power has some now. Just keep on asking and I will try to keep you all up to date. These things will be very hard to get your hands on for quite some time unfortunately.

[joeedens]

I've tried to find any info about string sizing for the classic but can't seem to find it anywhere.  I don't have a clue about how to find the info using the wizard.  The online manual doesn't even mention string sizing.  I tried to down load the excel file that was mentioned but I get a message that says the file is encrypted and can't be opened. I'm using a Mac so maybe that is the problem.  Can someone help me out on how to find a string sizing tool for the the classic 250? 

[Vic]

Hi Joe,

This is on the midnite.com site,  mouse over to and press the enter button on the front panel,  and play around:

http://www.midnitesolar.com/classic/classicCP.php

Have Fun,  Vic

[Westbranch]

Joe, I just tried the simulator and it is stuck..  when you press the "Enter" button it should act just like the Classic does?

I just downloaded the XLS file and it works fine..

HTH

Ryan can you check the simulator please, it is the May 16/10 version according to the screen (if there is another one)

thanks
Eric

[Vic]

Eric,

Been a while since I've run the Wizard simulator ...  Try pressing the lower right button 'Main Menu' once or twice,  when 'Wizard' is displayed on the left of the screen,  press 'Enter"   and so on.

I was wrong in the above post ...   This may work ...   or ...  ??   Vic