The Battery Thread (Solar / Inverter)

[wingnut771]

Don't mono's perform better with cloudy conditions?

 

[Slinetpixel]

Is mono a better option than poly?

Care to share where you purchased it from?

He has an amazing amount of knowledge and I suggest checking out more of his vids if you're interested in solar.

 

[Speedster]

I haven't watched the video above yet (will do so this evening) but my reading so far has pointed to half-cell mono perc being the way to go.

 

[B-1]

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.

Its typically used in caravans and 4x4 trailers etc where things run at the same voltage as the charge controller. So 12/24v led lighting and 12/24v fridge/freezers etc.
We also directly wired dc led lights and a few other things in a holiday cabin we had in the past that was off grid.
It doesn't make much sense to use it in larger installs as DC is not great for longer distances.

 

[johnjm]

Its typically used in caravans and 4x4 trailers etc where things run at the same voltage as the charge controller. So 12/24v led lighting and 12/24v fridge/freezers etc.
We also directly wired dc led lights and a few other things in a holiday cabin we had in the past that was off grid.
It doesn't make much sense to use it in larger installs as DC is not great for longer distances.

Thanks.

I’m torn between going for 2 or 3 panels. All will have to be in parallel though in order to stay within the voltage limits.

Would have preferred to get one or two and play around and test before doing the final install. Not keen for that route as I’m assuming one needs to keep the solar panels very much the same especially if in parallel.

I’ll have to speak to a sales person or technical person to confirm which roof mounts I must buy for which panels.

MC4 seems like a connector standard, much to learn here. Exciting stuff though

 

[TheChamp]

Thanks.

I’m torn between going for 2 or 3 panels. All will have to be in parallel though in order to stay within the voltage limits.

Would have preferred to get one or two and play around and test before doing the final install. Not keen for that route as I’m assuming one needs to keep the solar panels very much the same especially if in parallel.

I’ll have to speak to a sales person or technical person to confirm which roof mounts I must buy for which panels.

MC4 seems like a connector standard, much to learn here. Exciting stuff though

Decide on the solar panels you want after that you can buy the mounting hardware as a kit, depending on your roof type, they are standard for 72 cells panels and just differ on the roof type.

 

[spiff]

eskom-stage-3-load-shedding-implemented


some more motivation to get off escum

 

[johnjm]

OKay, can someone please check my calcs, Im going to order two panels for a series connection to the MPPT below.

The panels:
Spec sheet says Voc 39v, connected in series it will be 78Voc which is inline for the MPPT below.
Amps is about 9.5A - is this too low? Would it be better to place in parallel to increase it to 18A? Worried about voltage drops for a 15m run.
Or maybe ive got the Amps calc wrong.
The MPPT manual below recommends a best combination of two panels in series. But mentions Cells at 60, but does the panel below have 120 cells or 60 cells? so confusing.

Canadian Solar 305W Poly KuPower Half-Cell

Canadian Solar 305W Poly KuPower Half-Cell

thepowerstore.co.za

Edit, will be getting these instead

JA Solar 325W Mono Percium LW Silver Frame with MC4

JA Solar 325W Mono Percium LW Silver Frame with MC4 Rating: 325W Efficiency: 19.7% Width: 996mm Height: 1,657mm JAM60S09-325/PR KEY FEATURES Mono cell technology with high efficiency passivated backside - PERC - (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) for increased efficiency and yield. 5 Busbar...

thepowerstore.co.za

the MPPT charger

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

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

thepowerstore.co.za

Battery fuse
100A x 24v = 2400 which matches the inverter at 50% max overload of 1600w (2400w). Or should I go 150A?

Fuse holder for MEGA-fuse

Fuse holder for MEGA-fuse Downloads DATASHEET

thepowerstore.co.za

MEGA-fuse 100A/32V (1 pc)

MEGA-fuse 100A/32V (1 pc) Easy to use Fuse and fuse holder for DC protection between inverter and batteries and other connected items to a battery bank easy to install has protection cover to cover the fuse comes in various ratings

thepowerstore.co.za

Ill upgrade the batteries later once the above is up and running.

THanks guys! Stage 3 now has just pushed me over the edge to pull the trigger,.

 

[wingnut771]

OKay, can someone please check my calcs, Im going to order two panels for a series connection to the MPPT below.

The panels:
Spec sheet says Voc 39v, connected in series it will be 78Voc which is inline for the MPPT below.
Amps is about 9.5A - is this too low? Would it be better to place in parallel to increase it to 18A? Worried about voltage drops for a 15m run.
Or maybe ive got the Amps calc wrong.
The MPPT manual below recommends a best combination of two panels in series. But mentions Cells at 60, but does the panel below have 120 cells or 60 cells? so confusing.

Canadian Solar 305W Poly KuPower Half-Cell

Canadian Solar 305W Poly KuPower Half-Cell

thepowerstore.co.za

the MPPT charger

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

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

thepowerstore.co.za

Battery fuse
100A x 24v = 2400 which matches the inverter at 50% max overload of 1600w (2400w). Or should I go 150A?

Fuse holder for MEGA-fuse

Fuse holder for MEGA-fuse Downloads DATASHEET

thepowerstore.co.za

MEGA-fuse 100A/32V (1 pc)

MEGA-fuse 100A/32V (1 pc) Easy to use Fuse and fuse holder for DC protection between inverter and batteries and other connected items to a battery bank easy to install has protection cover to cover the fuse comes in various ratings

thepowerstore.co.za

Ill upgrade the batteries later once the above is up and running.

THanks guys! Stage 3 now has just pushed me over the edge to pull the trigger,.

Looking at the charger, it says max 72V (maybe I read wrong) so you want to be a bit below that. Amps not as important as MPPT can throttle that but if voltage is too high, then boom.

That's why @TheChamp suggested 4 x 250W, so 2 in series won't go over voltage limit then 2 strings in parallel to get amps up.

 

[B-1]

Thanks.

I’m torn between going for 2 or 3 panels. All will have to be in parallel though in order to stay within the voltage limits.

Would have preferred to get one or two and play around and test before doing the final install. Not keen for that route as I’m assuming one needs to keep the solar panels very much the same especially if in parallel.

I’ll have to speak to a sales person or technical person to confirm which roof mounts I must buy for which panels.

MC4 seems like a connector standard, much to learn here. Exciting stuff though

I would just go with 3 the installation is a schlep and doing one or 3 don't make too much of a difference but adding another one is enough work to end up putting it off indefinitely.

 

[B-1]

OKay, can someone please check my calcs, Im going to order two panels for a series connection to the MPPT below.

The panels:
Spec sheet says Voc 39v, connected in series it will be 78Voc which is inline for the MPPT below.
Amps is about 9.5A - is this too low? Would it be better to place in parallel to increase it to 18A? Worried about voltage drops for a 15m run.
Or maybe ive got the Amps calc wrong.
The MPPT manual below recommends a best combination of two panels in series. But mentions Cells at 60, but does the panel below have 120 cells or 60 cells? so confusing.

Canadian Solar 305W Poly KuPower Half-Cell

Canadian Solar 305W Poly KuPower Half-Cell

thepowerstore.co.za

Edit, will be getting these instead

JA Solar 325W Mono Percium LW Silver Frame with MC4

JA Solar 325W Mono Percium LW Silver Frame with MC4 Rating: 325W Efficiency: 19.7% Width: 996mm Height: 1,657mm JAM60S09-325/PR KEY FEATURES Mono cell technology with high efficiency passivated backside - PERC - (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) for increased efficiency and yield. 5 Busbar...

thepowerstore.co.za

the MPPT charger

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

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

thepowerstore.co.za

Battery fuse
100A x 24v = 2400 which matches the inverter at 50% max overload of 1600w (2400w). Or should I go 150A?

Fuse holder for MEGA-fuse

Fuse holder for MEGA-fuse Downloads DATASHEET

thepowerstore.co.za

MEGA-fuse 100A/32V (1 pc)

MEGA-fuse 100A/32V (1 pc) Easy to use Fuse and fuse holder for DC protection between inverter and batteries and other connected items to a battery bank easy to install has protection cover to cover the fuse comes in various ratings

thepowerstore.co.za

Ill upgrade the batteries later once the above is up and running.

THanks guys! Stage 3 now has just pushed me over the edge to pull the trigger,.

Chuck in a DC breaker as well for the panels and battery bank.

 

[johnjm]

Looking at the charger, it says max 72V (maybe I read wrong) so you want to be a bit below that. Amps not as important as MPPT can throttle that but if voltage is too high, then boom.

That's why @TheChamp suggested 4 x 250W, so 2 in series won't go over voltage limit then 2 strings in parallel to get amps up.

The MPPT MAx open circuit is 100v which this falls under. The 72v is the max battery charging voltage it can supply. I reckon its good.

 

[TheChamp]

After you've checked to make sure you don't go over te max Voc it's the Vmp you want to pay attention to, that relates directly to the MPPT range, if the minimum is 30 and your Panel Vmp is 33V you are not going to get the best out of your system, at the minimum of 30V and 72V you would want you combined panel string to be between 45 to 50ish volts.

 

[TheChamp]

The MPPT MAx open circuit is 100v which this falls under. The 72v is the max battery charging voltage it can supply. I reckon its good.

It's actually the max of the MPPT range.

 

[wingnut771]

The MPPT MAx open circuit is 100v which this falls under. The 72v is the max battery charging voltage it can supply. I reckon its good.

You won't me charging your 24V battery at 72V tho.

 

[TheChamp]

I see the confusion, minimum of the MPPT range is your battery voltage plus 2V, so at 24V it will be 26V to 72V at 12V it will be 14V to 36V.

 

[johnjm]

I see the confusion, minimum of the MPPT range is your battery voltage plus 2V, so at 24V it will be 26V to 72V at 12V it will be 14V to 36V.

Thanks for the help guys. I spoke to the technical support and the Voc is 100, so two panels in series will be 80Voc, within the spec and on the upper range.

The V nominal is max 72v on the MPPT, and the panels are 33v each max, so 66v in series which is within the 72v of the MPP voltage max, and good to be on the upper limit.

I ended up ordering it from geewiz because that power sore above wanted to charge R690 for delivery due to fragile goods. Geewiz charged R59 delivery lol.

I didn’t order any accessories, but might just get the DC cables in the meantime and maybe a few MC4 connectors once I chat to my electrician.

But now I need to find someone who will do the install on the roof side...


Exciting times ahead. Or tears.

 

[johnjm]

Hi guys, me again

So you think a 30A MPPT charger could be matched with this battery? It say recommended initial charge should be 30A, not too worried as I can use the UPS to charge it initially and then let solar float charge it on most days.

What is also confusing is that it’s a hybrid and apparently both AGM and Gel, which is weird.

https://www.livestainable.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Datasheet-30.pdf

Edit, for some reason the data sheet shows a 12v, it’s this one, a 24v

OmniPower 24V 240Ah Deep Cycle Rechargeable AGM / GEL Hybrid VRLA Battery Pack - LiveStainable

Buy OmniPower 24V 240Ah Deep Cycle Rechargeable AGM / GEL Hybrid VRLA Battery Pack - Based on 20 years' experience in research and development, the OmniPower

www.livestainable.co.za

 

[wingnut771]

Hi guys, me again

So you think a 30A MPPT charger could be matched with this battery? It say recommended initial charge should be 30A, not too worried as I can use the UPS to charge it initially and then let solar float charge it on most days.

What is also confusing is that it’s a hybrid and apparently both AGM and Gel, which is weird.

https://www.livestainable.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Datasheet-30.pdf

Edit, for some reason the data sheet shows a 12v, it’s this one, a 24v

OmniPower 24V 240Ah Deep Cycle Rechargeable AGM / GEL Hybrid VRLA Battery Pack - LiveStainable

Buy OmniPower 24V 240Ah Deep Cycle Rechargeable AGM / GEL Hybrid VRLA Battery Pack - Based on 20 years' experience in research and development, the OmniPower

www.livestainable.co.za

Normal AGM (type of plates) still has liquid in them, you can hear it if you shake the battery. Gel, the "liquid" is gel, so you won't hear anything when you shake it. Don't equalise gel batteries, equalising creates bubbles which is fine for flooded but no go for gel. It's not weird to get a hybrid, should offer many cycles.

You'll be fine with 30A or less. Less is always kinder on the battery, just takes longer.

 

[gbyleveldt]

Normal AGM (type of plates) still has liquid in them, you can hear it if you shake the battery. Gel, the "liquid" is gel, so you won't hear anything when you shake it. Don't equalise gel batteries, equalising creates bubbles which is fine for flooded but no go for gel. It's not weird to get a hybrid, should offer many cycles.

You'll be fine with 30A or less. Less is always kinder on the battery, just takes longer.

AGM is gel