Energy Matters Forums

[Garyho]

The inverter would also be trying to run your AC load from the generator as well. Have you tried to start the generator with no load on the inverter?

What size is your generator?

[Tracker]

If it's one of these PCM5048 / PCM8048 / PCM-40CX / PCM-80CX then it would appear yes it could do it, have you tried it? If its one of the other versions, apparently no..

SOoo sorry... did not notice your comments etc.
Yes I have the 5048, and can't fault it, especially, as it seems to do what other CC's don't ..

I do use the two controls, one as an absolute low voltage cutout and the other as a charge-set function..

The relays have a TIME set, to the activation of the relay.. ie you can force the relay to stay on for 12hrs, once triggered..
This is how I force a mains-charge in off peak, otherwise I try to use the logic that...
I wish to use the least power from the GRID and everything available from the PV..
1.. I don't want to ever waste PV power.. ie if battery charged, then invert that PV potential to the house.
2.. I Want To run the special circuit during the PEAK period at a minimum (plus extra if Bat. Is full )
3.. only charge from mains IF the Battery voltage is too low at the end of the PEAK period ,
Otherwise it should recover next morning, and B4 the next peak..

The real dilemma happens when the NEXT day turns out to be dull, and the battery does not get pre-charged B4 the Peak.. generally, I then rely on the Lowest setting to prevent a low DOD.. and force an off-peak charge the next night..

That is my methodology ..???
..
.

[jackatwo]

Hi jackatwo if you have two panels in series to get the voltage high enough for 48v you only have 14 panels parrelled which makes 2800 watts total as i have a similar system running two strings of 5 x 190w panels which makes 950 watts total on trackers (need to add more panels),with a gsl 60/2 mppt charge controller and a 48v powerstar inverter thats running all my lights and power except for fridges and cooking,using a plc to control a generator and the power star for charging ,also have two airx 48v wind turbines but they don't add much.

I checked with my engineer and asked again for confirmation, he says differently
even though I asked this same question before installing they confirmed that I wire it this way and I will still have 5.4kw ,
I would like to hear what others in the forum think of this?????? I am sure it could be open for debate.

@ boatie0 »
On the powerstar 7 there is a or should be (Depends on where you bought it from)
a small hole in the front top left of the unit, you can adjust your power from that, be gentle with the switch and click very lightly clock wise, you can turn the power charger down to 25% this gives you less draw.
if you do not have this action then you have a copy of the powerstar 7.
when we sell the 6kw we say its a 6kw we do not tell our clients that it is 6 to 8 kw.

you should be using a bigger breaker 15amp circuit breaker is not used for a 15amp plug and I would suggest that you ask a qualified licensed electrician for help on this, as information through here is not guaranteed and if you were to do your own work and burn your home down you will not be a happy chappy specially as the insurance company will not honour your policy

[Privatteer]

No debate. Watts = volts x amps. Does not matter if series panels still adds up same. Amp hour ratting of batteries is dependant on voltage and does not increase when series so that is probably what you are thinking of.

[Tracker]

Hi jackatwo if you have two panels in series to get the voltage high enough for 48v you only have 14 panels parrelled which makes 2800 watts total .

Can't help thinking you are most confused... was the statement not made, that there were 28 Panels at 200w..

How do you get 2800 from that..

Perrrhaps I am confused..

In case you don't understand .... 28 by 200 is 5600w
It does not matter if you have one string of 28, or two of 14, or four of 7, you will always have 5600w
..
.

[Gordon-Loomberah]

If you have 4 strings of 7 and one of them is connected up backwards, then you'll have 2800W!

[Tracker]

HeHeHe.. - I like that one..

and if you had 2 strings together and another 2 in reverse, you have a VERY expensive solar shade..
..
.

[davidg]

If you had 2 strings together and another 2 in reverse..

I would have thought that was solar heater, they should get quite hot when the sun's out

[boatie0]

@ boatie0 »
On the powerstar 7 there is a or should be (Depends on where you bought it from)
a small hole in the front top left of the unit, you can adjust your power from that, be gentle with the switch and click very lightly clock wise, you can turn the power charger down to 25% this gives you less draw.
if you do not have this action then you have a copy of the powerstar 7.
when we sell the 6kw we say its a 6kw we do not tell our clients that it is 6 to 8 kw.

you should be using a bigger breaker 15amp circuit breaker is not used for a 15amp plug and I would suggest that you ask a qualified licensed electrician for help on this, as information through here is not guaranteed and if you were to do your own work and burn your home down you will not be a happy chappy specially as the insurance company will not honour your policy[/quote]

Thanks for the reply,
The 15A breaker is just the trip on the generator, I will have a look for the adjusting screw, but I do not recall seeing one. I have an electrician doing the install, but I just need to ensure the Generator I buy (larger diesel unit) will be adequate to run the charge circuit. At this stage I this inverter is a temporary option (due to$ restrictions), but eventually it will become a back up unit once I purchase a unit with a lower self draw value. The generator I am looking at is a Kipor ID 6000. This carries a 32A outlet and can be configured for an autostart situation.

Is there any other way of identifying if it is an original W7 or if it is a copy, all the documentation and signage on the unit indicates Powerstar W7. I purchased it from Blu-tach technology store.

[vk4akp]

Sorry I couldn't read all 15 pages of this thread, but I did read the first few.

I am currently looking at a Powerstar W7 (12VDC 3000/9000Watt version) for the off grid system I am designing here.

I will be using 6x 250Watt CSUN Panels & a Midnite Classic 150 MPPT controller. 2x 100Ah deep cycle lead acid batteries.

My question is. Have the latest models improved at all?
I see them on eBay for about $440 incl post.

I'm looking for a cost affordable option that won't require extensive modifications.

.-.-.