Energy Matters Forums

[australsolarier]

and then the midnite classic has an arc fault feature. and ground fault feature. midnite provides a free website where you can log into your midnit classics. they can be connected to either 3 in series or 2 for 48v systems. you can calibrate the voltage. they have excellent customer support and a really good forum. like davidg said the can be wired up for follow me mode at very little expense ( it's actually a telephone cross over wire cable, ethernet cable can be used but needs the proper telephon plugs) they can be programmed to do all kinds of things. i don't think anybody would look back and hanker for a pmw charger. you can also hook up infinite number of solar panels, though they do not say anything about it in their manuals. you can limit the output. they can work together with their shunt to go to float mode at a programmed end current. they can even limit the current going into the battery, independent of what else is drawing power.
you can actually chat with the designers when some interesting question comes up. they will explain why certain things are like they are. they are listening to proposals and sometimes do them.
that's just what comes to mind.

[Hastings]

I really didn't think it would be this hard to design my solar system. The confusing thing for me is, there are too many different hardware options demanding different front ends to the back end and this where its gets frustrating and add in my reticence around electricity and you have a "deer in the headlights" effect.
Of course the standout here is "Budget", not to mention the individuals prejudices towards this brand or another.
Its interesting to read Davidgs advice, however he being an electrician means he has to play by the rules which are black and white. On the other hand, Jules version of fun, I think, lye's in the grey area and thats where I habitat for now. (Using 2nd hand bits and pieces)
For a newby, who will never grasp the intricacies of solar, It would be fantastic if there were a series of design cheat sheets for 12/24/48v systems detailing the jump up of equipment with increase in volts, setting everything out from start to finish.

[jules]

I think one of the problems with the replies you're received is that due to the fact that you have several threads running on the topic of your system, some of the fundamental details, particularly your budget of $8k, aren't being factored in.

Could I suggest that another way to look at this would be to come up with a series of components that fit your power needs and get somewhere close to your financial target. I'm fairly sure that RPC suggest components for a series of systems from v small to large, so perhaps you could check out their ideas. If there are two zones where you could save money by going second hand it's batteries and panels. There's stacks of second hand panels around at the moment from people who are upgrading their grid-tied systems and you'd be unlucky not to get 10 years service out of a good set. Batteries are harder but I've managed to get great service out of used sets so it is possible. I can't see a way to put together a useful working system with your propose budget without making savings like this. Add new batteries and new panels and the cost is inevitably closer to $20,000 with the controller, inverter, board, wiring, fuses, switches etc.

Of course we all have to follow the rules and I wouldn't suggest any shortcuts on that score.

[davidg]

Davidgs advice, however he being an electrician means he has to play by the rules which are black and white.

Rules yes, however I'm not doing the install, so you can be somewhat flexible but NEVER skip doing it properly, it WILL come back to haunt you at some stage in the future. I do and have done a lot experimentation with equipment I base advise on the experiences of those experiments and the results that come from them. then there is this piece of advise "do it right do it once!" that will save you money.

[Hastings]

[quote="jules"]In this thread you're dealing with batteries and in another, cable sizing

Theres a good reason for having "many" threads. Im trying to understand each component separately without the complication of a whole lot of info all at once, but this didn't happen.

[LeighC]

There are quite a few guys that don't believe in MPPT to be worth the extra money & use all lower voltage solar panels & use a Plasmatronics PL20 or a Dingo 20/20 driving a SSR (solid state relay) with a lot more current flowing (more panels) The SSR has to sit on a heat sink though.
I would rather a MPPT because it is more versatile a can be used with a wider range of voltage though,
My Outback MX60 has been going for about 12 years & has not missed a beat & I have only added an extra cooling fan.
Cheers - Leigh

[jules]

There's a good reason for having "many" threads. Im trying to understand each component separately without the complication of a whole lot of info all at once, but this didn't happen.

So how's the "totality" going then?

Jules