Recent content by uptopsolar

Welcome, excited to see what you end up doing!

Welcome!

You mention backup, so you plan to have energy storage as well? Do you have a battery in mind or are you asking for both?

Is this what you are looking for? https://unboundsolar.com/blog/federal-solar-tax-credit-guide

Curious, what's the model of the modules you got? Do you have that information? By set-up do you mean like if they will work well together and how to configure it?

I'm assuming you mean charging parameters, reading the context of your question. I'm particular super cautious and would get the parameters from the battery manufacturer. A lot of inverter/charge controller manufacturers often test their equipment with specific ESS or vice versa to make sure...

I don't know about getting stuck in charged state. If I saw it in that state when I didn't expect to, I would go to the MATE, OpticsRE or the Misc screen to see if I can find clues on what it thinks it should be doing and current target values. "Charged" state aside. In general, if it's...

When you are ready... here is a way to install a warning indication. Using the AUX and an audible or visual alarm. There is a fan in the example.

In general, to add newer identical lead acid batteries (mixing unidentical batteries is not a good idea) to an older battery bank would reduce the life of the new batteries. You can consider them the same age as the older ones.

What are the models of your mppt charge controller, modules and batteries? The datasheet specifications such as: Voc Isc Power Temp Coeff Charge parameters are important. Are your loads DC powered? Otherwise, you should have an inverter in there as well to convert the DC power from the PV...

I used to be your "neighbor" for a couple of years in Switzerland not too long ago, but now back in the states. Welcome!

Like any other electrical system, battery systems must have proper DC-rated overcurrent protection and disconnects to protect system conductors and to isolate the battery bank from the rest of the system to testing and/or maintenance. Batteries can deliver extremely high discharge currents, so...

First of all, good for you finding your own solution! Just for possible future endeavors many manufacturers offer string sizing tools to help configure your array to the solar charger or inverter. This helps expedite this process.

This article might help you as well. https://www.ecmweb.com/content/article/20891072/battery-sizing-basics#:~:text=The%20battery%20circuit%20breaker%20sizing,700A%2C%2065VDC%2C%2015%2C000%20AIC.

It is best to have some type of protection and ability to isolate energy sources. You can use circuit breakers to do this. This means at the battery, after or before the charge controllers on the DC side.