diy solar

diy solar

Recent content by Phil.g00

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    Vertical mounted bi-facial panel question

    I planned to parallel E & W sides through a single MPPT. Theoretically, they are working at different times of the day.
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    Vertical mounted bi-facial panel question

    In June 2021 there was a news article about Longi achieving the best bifaciality factor of any panel. I believe this was related to commercially available panels, not laboratory achievements. At that time, I had some professional calculations done. I anticipated the bifaciality factor would...
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    Hot to test 160amp DC breaker? Welding machine?

    Even at 200A it will take some time to trip. If you can manually operate the switch successfully in both directions at 30A, it is bi-directional and you have done due diligence. A uni-directional MCCB/MCB will not survive that. As for establishing the current threshold tolerance, well do you do...
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    Hot to test 160amp DC breaker? Welding machine?

    Stick a knife or hacksaw blade alongside it. If there is a magnet inside it, there is no need to test, it isn't bi-directional. You won't need 160A to test it if it isn't bi-directional. It won't be able to break much less than that ( in the wrong direction) if you just manually switch it. Just...
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    LF 280 and LF 280K cells

    BMS capacity aside, and assuming all cells are healthy. I think you would get away with paralleling an old cell with a new cell at a cell level, as opposed to parallel strings. ( with a single adequately rated BMS). If you were to run things as parallel strings then a second BMS would be needed...
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    DC breaker capacity ?

    Maybe, maybe not. It depends on several factors; it is a risky assumption. Indeed dangerous with a directional DC MCB.
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    Mitigating Mini-Dips in Off-Grid System

    So is that just a bunch of huge capacitors across the battery? They look like they are series instead of parallel; what was the rationale behind that?
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    DC Circuit Breaker for Hybrid Inverter

    Sorry gents, I have missed this lively discussion for a while. The MCBs I tested were from a company called YRO. I tested them actually to trip for overcurrent conditions, and they don't have any magnetic attractions or repulsions. Other than that, I have no affiliations and make no guarantees...
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    Devising a solution short overcast winter days

    I have also considered using a DC generator as a solution. This is what I may try when I get around to it. A 96V DC generator through an MPPT. I think that way, the DC voltage can vary, and the MPPT can fine-tune the voltage to the desired charging stage. I haven't shopped around particularly...
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    Pairing Victron Equipment with different brand SCC's.

    My system has expanded over the years, but if I recall correctly, once I got a Venus device and a BMV shunt, that VRM even reported the total DC from the Outbacks. I had to enable the "has DC system" setting in VRM or something like that. As I said, there have been various expansion stages, and...
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    Pairing Victron Equipment with different brand SCC's.

    I ran 4 x Outbacks Mppts without any shunt or Venus device in the system on a Victron Phoenix for at least two years. There was also no comms between the Outbacks. I just used the same settings on each of them and all worked away independently.
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    DC Circuit Breaker for Hybrid Inverter

    You'd do well to notice these symbols on your switchgear: They are important to identify what equipment is rated for what purpose. Note: Not all switches are rated to break load current and not all circuit breakers provide adequate isolation.
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    DC Circuit Breaker for Hybrid Inverter

    There will be no current in the circuit to start a fire if the first half does its job. But like I said prove it by testing, don't take some random guy's opinion over the internet when your house could burn down.
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    Solar system for Irish small business - component enquiry

    I am in Ireland, but my self-installed scheme is in another country. I don't have any personal knowledge of Irish installers, other than the general knowledge that if you choose to avail of a grant they must be SEAI-approved.
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    DC Circuit Breaker for Hybrid Inverter

    Yes, half the unit will do the job regardless of the current direction. A different half depending on the direction of the current.
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