Recent content by PVorBust

Good points - thanks. This one is 5V 20A, so unsuitable for a variety of reasons (it just happen to be within reach). Having a voltage doubler is a complication I don't need for this project.

Thanks for your replies. One approach I've used elsewhere is not to tap into the "big" system, but simply add a dedicated (say 30W) panel and 24-12V DC-DC to spin a fan when ever there is light. I've installed this style in my workshop to stop is baking in summer (it would often get to 60C in...

Looking for an easy solution to power a (say 120mm muffin) fan at a remote site. Currently the setup is 100V from PV's that only feed a pump controller, so no batteries, no low voltage. Obvious solutions start with a DC fan, but I've never seen one Next is DC-DC converter with a suitable input...

edit: you were already doing what I suggested

Thanks - that would be difficult to setup here as 220V 3ph doesn't exist (we use 415V 3ph), so pumps are not available.

@kommando , apart from an academic interest, design vs manufacturing issue, I don't really care - it should not have failed. @gfjardim , what pumps do you use? and what inverters? Obviously I need something better than what I have.

update. The pump comes with a 2 year warranty and as it was 25 months, the best I could do was a bit of a discount on a new controller. The new controller worked for about a week before it too failed. "it must be the motor" I was then told. "Test the windings" Windings tested perfect. "Must...

This was discussed recently https://diysolarforum.com/threads/147-volts-dc-will-not-pass-thru-breaker-yes-breaker-is-on.72644/page-3#post-958803 A hostile environment certainly makes a grease attractive, but you need to know your rubber before you select your grease. A Dialectic Grease would be...

Following their own test procedures, it's the FETs that are blown. The two big electrolytics are across the supply, so don't work hard at all. I picked up the fresh FETs tonight, so I'll have them installed in the original controller early next week.

That's a good price - wish I could get them for that price.

Thanks for the reply. Normally these pumps ship with a 2m power cable, but I got this one built with full length cable so there was no need for underwater splices and sourcing waterproof cable - naturally, delivery was a bit slower, but it wins on several other fronts. Yep - it's an impeller...

I put in a bore a couple of years ago with a chinese bore pump (nominally 72V, 750W, 5m3/h) It worked well for two years and then the controller failed. The pump is 3ph which is generated from the (DC only) controller which has a few user configurable parameters, but is mostly locked down. The...

I think the only real purpose of having two serial ports is to simplifying the cabling (RS485 allows multiple devices to be daisy-chained on a single serial cable). Making a daisy-chain cable require some skill and the correct tools to make, where as two sockets allows the use of 'standard'...

I believe that is the key to the design - the less parts the installer has to juggle while trying not to fall off a roof, the better the chance the connector is assembled complete and correctly (it also removes the temptation to use a shell after loosing the gland).

Same with sex toys - never use silicon lube on silicon rubber. black o-rings are likely to be a nitrile rubber, while orange are probably a fluro-elasomer Vaseline will destroy latex, but is ok on silicone. You need to know your "rubber" before you pick your lube.