The Battery Thread (Solar / Inverter)

[isie]

How is this any different than using the battery terminals?

they do the same thing but different pros and cons.
if you connecting 2 batteries and don't want them to move and pull the cable between them out - use a busbar, its solid - but its entire surface is exposed so a bit more prone to shorting if a lose cable or wire makes contact

 

[wingnut771]

Bat terminal is flimsy , i asume holding 2 lugs could compromise it and let it heat up.

they do the same thing but different pros and cons.
if you connecting 2 batteries and don't want them to move and pull the cable between them out - use a busbar, its solid - but its entire surface is exposed so a bit more prone to shorting if a lose cable or wire makes contact

but this is about the fact the mecer battery can't parallel.

 

[isie]

but this is about the fact the mecer battery can't parallel.

lol I was just answering the question on what a busbar is

 

[johnjm]

Hi all

Was hoping for some help matching some solar and an MPPT to my existing 2.4kva ups system.

The intention is to have it on standby in case loadshedding gets longer than usual (abs the fact we have had power outages lately as well)

I high brand on solar panel would you recommend? I’ve seen Canadian and JA. Is Mono or poly the way to go? I’m not interested in going off grid. 1000w max from the panels would be fine in sunlight.

And I terms of MPPT sizing, I’m eyeing a victron 100/50 so I guess I’ll need to ensure that the panels are arranged in series/parallel to ensure it remains in the specs.

My UPS is 24v. Help appreciated. Want to order it and just install, and also keen to know where the preferred place is to buy the wiring and other stuff like mounts for a tile roof.

So tempted just to buy one panel and play around with it together with a cheap PWM but would rather do it properly.

Oh sorry, is there any MPPT charger out there that can switch between PV, Eskom and batteries dependant on power demand ?

 

[TheChamp]

Hi all

Was hoping for some help matching some solar and an MPPT to my existing 2.4kva ups system.

The intention is to have it on standby in case loadshedding gets longer than usual (abs the fact we have had power outages lately as well)

I high brand on solar panel would you recommend? I’ve seen Canadian and JA. Is Mono or poly the way to go? I’m not interested in going off grid. 1000w max from the panels would be fine in sunlight.

And I terms of MPPT sizing, I’m eyeing a victron 100/50 so I guess I’ll need to ensure that the panels are arranged in series/parallel to ensure it remains in the specs.

My UPS is 24v. Help appreciated. Want to order it and just install, and also keen to know where the preferred place is to buy the wiring and other stuff like mounts for a tile roof.

So tempted just to buy one panel and play around with it together with a cheap PWM but would rather do it properly.

Oh sorry, is there any MPPT charger out there that can switch between PV, Eskom and batteries dependant on power demand ?

A 100/50 means 100V, 50A, right? Do you have the full specs? Because I suspect a smaller charge controller can do the job just fine, unless there's something specific you were going for in that particular model.

 

[TheChamp]

Another question, if you are going to spend over R5k for a charge controller, why not just buy a 3kVA PSW inverter with a built in 1000W MPPT?

 

[wingnut771]

Another question, if you are going to spend over R5k for a charge controller, why not just buy a 3kVA PSW inverter with a built in 1000W MPPT?

Link?

 

[TheChamp]

Link?

BlueSolar MPPT 100/50Default Title

BlueSolar MPPT 100/50 A solar charger gathers energy from your solar panels, and stores it in your batteries. Using the latest, fastest technology, BlueSolar maximises this energy-harvest, driving it intelligently to achieve full charge in the shortest possible time. BlueSolar maintains battery...

thepowerstore.co.za

Synapse Axpert VM 3kVA/2.4kW 24V Solar Inverter

Synapse Axpert VM 3kVA/2.4kW 24V Solar Inverter

www.solar-shop.co.za

 

[johnjm]

A 100/50 means 100V, 50A, right? Do you have the full specs? Because I suspect a smaller charge controller can do the job just fine, unless there's something specific you were going for in that particular model.

Yeah thanks, 100v 50A, but that’s where I’m a little confused as what would suit the existing UPS.

You are right about the inverter change, cheaper than a stand alone MPPT, a recommendation would be awesome, and if it can mix grid, battery and solar that would be a massive plus.

 

[johnjm]

BlueSolar MPPT 100/50Default Title

BlueSolar MPPT 100/50 A solar charger gathers energy from your solar panels, and stores it in your batteries. Using the latest, fastest technology, BlueSolar maximises this energy-harvest, driving it intelligently to achieve full charge in the shortest possible time. BlueSolar maintains battery...

thepowerstore.co.za

Synapse Axpert VM 3kVA/2.4kW 24V Solar Inverter

Synapse Axpert VM 3kVA/2.4kW 24V Solar Inverter

www.solar-shop.co.za

Yeah Its a no brainer. Recommended panels to go with that? I wonder I configurable it would be in terms of customisation.

Edit
So why does this thing that I have cost more than double that one?

 

[TheChamp]

Yeah thanks, 100v 50A, but that’s where I’m a little confused as what would suit the existing UPS.

You are right about the inverter change, cheaper than a stand alone MPPT, a recommendation would be awesome, and if it can mix grid, battery and solar that would be a massive plus.

It's not expensive enough to mix grid and solar, but it's a great package that gives you other capabilities.

There's the one I posted above and the same thing from Solar UPS Electric, I bought an MPPT charge controller from them some time ago.

Synapse Offgrid Inverter 2.4kW 24V DC, 1000W MPPT – Solar UPS Electric

www.solarups.shop

The MPPT range is 30 to 80V so It's a tricky one to maximize for the voltage rating and good current for charging.

I would suggest 4x 250W, two connected in series for about 60+V and connected in parallel to the inverter for just under 20A.

You can play around with combinations that gives you the best current but still falls within 30 to 80V.

 

[johnjm]

It's not expensive enough to mix grid and solar, but it's a great package that gives you other capabilities.

There's the one I posted above and the same thing from Solar UPS Electric, I bought an MPPT charge controller from them some time ago.

Synapse Offgrid Inverter 2.4kW 24V DC, 1000W MPPT – Solar UPS Electric

www.solarups.shop

The MPPT range is 30 to 80V so It's a tricky one to maximize for the voltage rating and good current for charging.

I would suggest 4x 250W, two connected in series for about 60+V and connected in parallel to the inverter for just under 20A.

You can play around with combinations that gives you the best current but still falls within 30 to 80V.

appreciated

 

[The_Ogre]

Yeah Its a no brainer. Recommended panels to go with that? I wonder I configurable it would be in terms of customisation.

Edit
So why does this thing that I have cost more than double that one?

Because you didn't come ask here first

 

[TheChamp]

Yeah Its a no brainer. Recommended panels to go with that? I wonder I configurable it would be in terms of customisation.

Edit
So why does this thing that I have cost more than double that one?

What is that?

 

[johnjm]

What is that?

It’s the current UPS. They are still selling for 12k although it was obviously less 6 years ago. I know it’s modular but have no idea why it’s double the price or more of something like the link you sent me.

https://www.mantech.co.za/datasheets/products/HOME-UPS.pdf

 

[wingnut771]

It’s the current UPS. They are still selling for 12k although it was obviously less 6 years ago. I know it’s modular but have no idea why it’s double the price or more of something like the link you sent me.

https://www.mantech.co.za/datasheets/products/HOME-UPS.pdf

12k! WTF! You can get a Axpert King 5kW that blends grid power with solar for that price. Another 8k and you can get a sunsynk that can feed into the grid.

 

[TheChamp]

It’s the current UPS. They are still selling for 12k although it was obviously less 6 years ago. I know it’s modular but have no idea why it’s double the price or more of something like the link you sent me.

https://www.mantech.co.za/datasheets/products/HOME-UPS.pdf

Also no idea.

There are other options of MPPTs, so you don't have to buy an inverter if you can buy a cheaper charge controller. I bought the Epever Tracer, the 30A version, you are going to get at most 20A from your panels so you don't really need a 50A controller. It has an LCD screen so you can see anything that's important to monitor.

Epsolar Tracer 3210AN 30A MPPT 100V Charge Controller - 12V/24VDefault Title

Epsolar Tracer 3210AN 30A MPPT 100V Charge Controller - 12V/24V

thepowerstore.co.za

 

[TheChamp]

The MPPT range is 26V to 72V, mine has a maximum solar power of 780W so maybe look for the 40A version, it has 1040W max for solar.

 

[johnjm]

Also no idea.

There are other options of MPPTs, so you don't have to buy an inverter if you can buy a cheaper charge controller. I bought the Epever Tracer, the 30A version, you are going to get at most 20A from your panels so you don't really need a 50A controller. It has an LCD screen so you can see anything that's important to monitor.

Epsolar Tracer 3210AN 30A MPPT 100V Charge Controller - 12V/24VDefault Title

Epsolar Tracer 3210AN 30A MPPT 100V Charge Controller - 12V/24V

thepowerstore.co.za

Thanks again, this seems to maybe be the better option. Tempting to replace the inverter etc but prefer an easier modular solution I suppose . Excellent.

 

[johnjm]

The MPPT range is 26V to 72V, mine has a maximum solar power of 780W so maybe look for the 40A version, it has 1040W max for solar.

Or maybe just do two panels or 330/360 each? Seems the easier choice probably