The Battery Thread (Solar / Inverter)

[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

 

[wingnut771]

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

As long as you keep V below max for MPPT.

 

[TheChamp]

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

You can, it won't be the optimal setup and won't be too efficient but it will work, as long as you make sure to stay below the maximum parameters.

 

[johnjm]

Thanks guys

 

[johnjm]

You can, it won't be the optimal setup and won't be too efficient but it will work, as long as you make sure to stay below the maximum parameters.

As a matter of interest, I was reading the manual for that MPPT, it says to connect the inverter directly to the battery and not to the load side. Why is that?

It also recommends best PV array setups as well which is quite nice.

 

[B-1]

As a matter of interest, I was reading the manual for that MPPT, it says to connect the inverter directly to the battery and not to the load side. Why is that?

It also recommends best PV array setups as well which is quite nice.

Its not rated for the current the inverter will draw. It would need much bigger terminals and circuitry to carry those loads.

 

[TheChamp]

As a matter of interest, I was reading the manual for that MPPT, it says to connect the inverter directly to the battery and not to the load side. Why is that?

It also recommends best PV array setups as well which is quite nice.

Yes, I saw the solar setup ideas in the manual. I think the reason you don't connect to the load side is exactly what @B-1 said.

 

[johnjm]

Its not rated for the current the inverter will draw. It would need much bigger terminals and circuitry to carry those loads.

Ah thanks, makes sense. What could you attach to it? I’m thinking of maybe putting a light circuit on for the house, that way say, all bedroom lights are eskom independent if that makes sense. My DB is split that way so it’s pretty easy to do so (the electrician who installed the UPS spent hours splitting and marking off all the wiring ... what a champion)

Edit
Never mind, I’ll have to have another inverter for that, mission.

 

[Neuk_]

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

Can you run the Victron MPPT's as stand alone unit? In other words without a Victron controller unit?

 

[Neuk_]

My future FIL sent me this, a bit excessive but a well engineered solution...

 

[insect]

I have a one of those Victron MPPT controller units the 75/15 I think, been running it about 6 months with the bluetooth module - awesome little device.

I use it with a Victron Phoenix inverter and a 290w panel for off grid setup - only runs my Raspberry pi 24/7 and I plug the guest bedroom into it during load shedding.

 

[Geoff.D]

A guy up the road from us has an array of 6 x 3 solar panels on his roof. What would that imply regarding the size of his solar supply?.
It is also configured to be a no break supply to his house.

 

[AchmatK]

A guy up the road from us has an array of 6 x 3 solar panels on his roof. What would that imply regarding the size of his solar supply?.
It is also configured to be a no break supply to his house.

Will need to know the panel rating. They could be anything for 200w to 450w per panel.

 

[johnjm]

I have a one of those Victron MPPT controller units the 75/15 I think, been running it about 6 months with the bluetooth module - awesome little device.

I use it with a Victron Phoenix inverter and a 290w panel for off grid setup - only runs my Raspberry pi 24/7 and I plug the guest bedroom into it during load shedding.

View attachment 1016009

Care to share what panels you use?

 

[insect]

Care to share what panels you use?

Currently I just have one of these on the roof - Enersol 290W Monochrystalline Solar Panel

 

[TheChamp]

Can you run the Victron MPPT's as stand alone unit? In other words without a Victron controller unit?

Yes.

 

[johnjm]

Currently I just have one of these on the roof - Enersol 290W Monochrystalline Solar Panel

Is mono a better option than poly?

Care to share where you purchased it from?

 

[AchmatK]

Is mono a better option than poly?

Care to share where you purchased it from?

Mono tends to perform better than poly.

 

[insect]

Is mono a better option than poly?

Care to share where you purchased it from?

I got it from Geewiz last year just before lock down for 1.7k - you can also try artsolar.net for panels.

Quick Facts. Monocrystalline solar cells are more efficient because they are cut from a single source of silicon. Polycrystalline solar cells are blended from multiple silicon sources and are slightly less efficient.

I have seen a couple of videos regarding mono vs poly, most of them state: buy which ever is cheapest as the difference in performance is neglectable.

 

[TheChamp]

Shop around for panels and buy at the best price, the store doesn't have to be a popular one. Mono and Poly wouldn't make a noticeable difference so don't get stuck on that.