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INLINE PV Power Meter?

Sanwizard

Solar Wizard
Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
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I am looking for an MC4 connected inline PV power meter than can display realtime PV power from my solar array, with one side from the array(source), and the other to the inverter(load). I already have three battery meters from AiLi and Victron.

I was testing the new string i put up, and was hoping the little Powerwerx monitor
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088KVWD9Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_GHKTR4ADN2S35DX85A67 would do the job, but I blew it up as soon as I flipped the DC breaker.
Those little Chinese meters are great for one panel, but not a string that puts out 250V and above. My meter was rated for 200 amps, but under 100V. It popped.

I know I can use the Inverter display, but I like the digital readout to get instant at a glance updates on PV power output. I also want to be able to check my strings before connecting to the Inverter.

Most hall sensors seem to need battery connections. I am looking foe a pure and simple inline PV connection. Are any out there that can handle around 400V and 40 amps? I want to display:
VOLTS
AMPS
WATTS.
Any insights appreciated
 
I rely on my solar charge controller to tell me what the panels are doing. The first couple of months in production, I was checking the stats a lot. After that, it just runs so I don't check it much at all.
 
That seems to be the concensus, but wouldnt it be nice to know how each string is running prior to just plugging it in to the inverter? I guess a DVM works for that, but those little inline monitors are sweet. I was hoping someone knew of one that handled a string of PV vs a single panel.
What do the commercial guys use? Probably very expensive.
 
I put 2 Drok Sensors with Shunts in a Carlon box with MC4 pig tails and ran my 2p10s arrays though it. 400-440VDC with wattage at ~3K - solid. Working great and bright enough to see and read from within 10 feet. Not instrument quality, but a quick read tells you what's going on. You could make a portable.

Amazon - Drok $40, Carlon $30.
 
I put 2 Drok Sensors with Shunts in a Carlon box with MC4 pig tails and ran my 2p10s arrays though it. 400-440VDC with wattage at ~3K - solid. Working great and bright enough to see and read from within 10 feet. Not instrument quality, but a quick read tells you what's going on. You could make a portable.

Amazon - Drok $40, Carlon $30.
Thanks! That sounds interesting. Do you need to hook the Drok's to your batteries?
 
That seems to be the concensus, but wouldnt it be nice to know how each string is running prior to just plugging it in to the inverter? I guess a DVM works for that, but those little inline monitors are sweet. I was hoping someone knew of one that handled a string of PV vs a single panel.

You wouldn't plug the PV directly into the inverter anyhow. Unless it's an all-in-one that includes an MPPT feature. Even then, you'll get PV input information from the device.
 
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