MPP Solar 12v 1KvA AGM setup - need advice

Hi All,

I'm in the process of setting up my first solar system on a remote piece of land with no grid power. I have the MPP Solar 12v 800w All-in-one and have acquired the following parts:

2 Rich Solar 160 watt Poly panels
2 Weize 12v 100aH SLA AGM batteries
1 black 6 AWG 12 inch battery cable ( for paralleling batteries)
1 red 6 AWG 12 inch battery cable ( for paralleling batteries)
1 black 6 AWG 5 foot battery cable (for connection from battery bank to All-in-one)
1 red 6 AWG 5 foot battery cable (for connection from battery bank to All-in-one)
1 Renogy 20 foot 10AWG solar MC4 cable set (for connecting the panels to the All-in-one)
Anderson XT60H male/female power plugs (to use for easy connection/removal of solar panels from the All-in-one)
1 12 gauge 25 foot HD extension cord (for AC in and out after cutting)
1 Surge Protector Power strip with 15A breaker

I have a few questions before I assemble the system:

1. the User manual says I need a 10A AC breaker between the inverter and the AC input. I'm using Will's setup so I'm cutting an extension cord and wiring it up to the AC in and AC out. I was going to put the surge protector Power strip with the 15A breaker connected to the AC out for plugging in AC appliances. Do I need to get a second power strip with 15A breaker that I plug into grid power first and then plug in the AC input cord? (for me grid power is a 2k inverter generator)

2. Since I'm using 2 paralleled 12v AGM 100aH batteries, Will mentioned that I will need a fuse between the battery bank and the All-in-one on the positive side terminal. Since I'm using 6AWG cables and I'm only going to be powering some LED lights and a few small appliances, do I need more than an 80-100 amp fuse here? (or do I need a fuse at all)

3. I have an extra Rich Solar 160 watt Poly panel but wasn't sure if I can just add a third solar panel to the system? That would max out the charge controller so I couldn't buy a fourth panel without risking frying the charge controller (built in 40A rated)

thanks,

Swamperdog

Hi Swamperdog,

Welcome to the forum!

Will doesn't often give personal consulting, but many forum members are happy to help you.

Your list looks quite complete.

1.
The generator, is it pure sine wave generator??
Sadly most are modified sine wave... and if it is, it's not advised to use as grid together with the MPPSolar.
And yes, if you love your gear, better invest the few dollars in a breaker.

2.
"few small appliances"
if any of them have a motor, like microwave, refrigerator, pump, those do need pure sine wave.
Modified sine wave will work for a short time, but it get more hot, and less efficient. if you use longer the motor will burn.
(Note: I am using long time (years) a grinder on modified generator, and that one seem to have no problem, but it run only short time)

the few small appliances... How many watts are they together, if you switch them all on?
I hope less then the 800W inverter.
12v system, 800 watts is max 80A.
If you love your gear, better invest the few dollars in a breaker.

Personally I will never buy Lead Acid again. with the current pricing they are cheaper then Lead Acid, lighter, and last 5 to 7 times longer.
Yes, at purchase actually cheaper (if you don't mind DIY)
Some locations to buy: diysolarforum link

But, if I read correctly, you already have all the parts.

3.
Don't worry about that!
If the controller is rated for 40A, you can use it at 40A
How many days do you expect to really get the 160w from the panels??
It is a theoretical max under most optimal conditions.
realistic you get between 120 and 140 watts, on a good sunny day.

fhorst said:

Hi Swamperdog,

Welcome to the forum!

Will doesn't often give personal consulting, but many forum members are happy to help you.

Your list looks quite complete.

1.
The generator, is it pure sine wave generator??
Sadly most are modified sine wave... and if it is, it's not advised to use as grid together with the MPPSolar.
And yes, if you love your gear, better invest the few dollars in a breaker.

2.
"few small appliances"
if any of them have a motor, like microwave, refrigerator, pump, those do need pure sine wave.
Modified sine wave will work for a short time, but it get more hot, and less efficient. if you use longer the motor will burn.
(Note: I am using long time (years) a grinder on modified generator, and that one seem to have no problem, but it run only short time)

the few small appliances... How many watts are they together, if you switch them all on?
I hope less then the 800W inverter.
12v system, 800 watts is max 80A.
If you love your gear, better invest the few dollars in a breaker.

Personally I will never buy Lead Acid again. with the current pricing they are cheaper then Lead Acid, lighter, and last 5 to 7 times longer.
Yes, at purchase actually cheaper (if you don't mind DIY)
Some locations to buy: diysolarforum link

But, if I read correctly, you already have all the parts.

3.
Don't worry about that!
If the controller is rated for 40A, you can use it at 40A
How many days do you expect to really get the 160w from the panels??
It is a theoretical max under most optimal conditions.
realistic you get between 120 and 140 watts, on a good sunny day.

Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the reply! The good news is that the 800w inverter built in to the MPP Solar All in One is pure sine wave so it sounds like I'll be good there. This is my learning system so I'll make sure to limit what I run with it. Right now, it will just be some LED lighting and then some experimentation with small appliances. I'll make sure to keep it within the system limits.

So for the three 160 watt panels I have, will I only have the option of wiring the three together serial? I'm assuming if I wired two together in parallel and then added the third in serial, that would be a problem. What do you think? I think the two parallel panels will appear as one 12v panel but at twice the amperage of the single panel. Let me know if I'm off here.

Thanks again for replying. I'm new to the small offgrid solar stuff! I hope you and family are safe.

Swamperdog.

Your MPP Solar inverter should be able to tell you the minimum (and maximum) voltage needed for the controller.
(PWM or MPPT)

24v PWM often start at 25 and have a max of +/- 80v
24v MPPT often start at 35 and max of 105

Some panels are 12, 18, 24, 36 etc volt.
Depending on your panels and MPP solar , you have your setup.

Without that information from the panels or the MPP solar, I can't give any advice

Hi,

Better late than never but here are the specs on what I'm using:

I have three Rich Solar 160 watt Polycrystalline panels:

Built-in Components

• RICH SOLAR 160 Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panel.
• Panel leads (pair): 12AWG, 3FT each.
• IP65 rated waterproof junction box, diodes are pre-installed.
• IP67 rated waterproof MC4 connectors.
• Corrosion-resistant aluminum frame.
• Anti-reflective, high transparency and low iron-tempered glass.

Specifications

• Maximum Power(Pmax): 160W
• Maximum Power Voltage(Vmp): 18.2V
• Maximum Power Current(Imp): 8.79A
• Open Circuit Voltage(Voc): 22.3V
• Short Circuit Current(Isc): 9.29A
• Maximum System Voltage(Vmax): 600V DC (UL)
• Weight: 25.5 lbs
• Dimensions: 58.7 x 26.8 x 1.4 inches

I am using the MPP Solar All-in-One system (1KVA 12V) with the following specs:

Features

• Pure sine wave inverter
• Built-in MPPT solar charge controller
• Configurable input voltage range for home appliances and personal computers via LCD setting
• Configurable battery charging current based on applications via LCD setting
• Configurable AC/Solar Charger priority via LCD setting
• Compatible to mains voltage or generator power
• Auto restart while AC is recovering
• Overload/ Over temperature/ short circuit protection
• Smart battery charger design for optimized battery performance
• Cold start function

Specifications

• Max. PV Array Open Circuit Voltage: 102Vdc
• PV Array MPPT Voltage Range: 15 - 80Vdc
• Min battery voltage for PV charge: 8.5Vdc
• Max Charging Current: 60amp
• Default Charging Current: 40amp

I'm configuring this as a 12v system and really want to use all three 160w solar panels either in parallel or serial. Would it be possible to get a second set of eyes on whether this will work? In the current environment, I can't afford to burn up a component and try to re-order something. (a lot of stuff is just not available anymore)

Thanks!

Swamperdog

That makes it really easy.

Your inverter need minimal 15v,, max 80v
your panels are 18v
3 x 18 = way below 80v

You should wire them in series.

Parallel might work, but at lower light conditions, the voltage is not yet your threshold of 15 volt.

In series when each panel starts making 5 volt, the MPPT can already use energy.

Thank you, thank you!! That really helps and I hadn't calculated the way you did. I'll post up here once I have things running. Stay safe and healthy!

Swamperdog

Swamperdog said:

Thanks so much for the reply! The good news is that the 800w inverter built in to the MPP Solar All in One is pure sine wave so it sounds like I'll be good there. This is my learning system so I'll make sure to limit what I run with it. Right now, it will just be some LED lighting and then some experimentation with small appliances. I'll make sure to keep it within the system limits.

So for the three 160 watt panels I have, will I only have the option of wiring the three together serial? I'm assuming if I wired two together in parallel and then added the third in serial, that would be a problem. What do you think? I think the two parallel panels will appear as one 12v panel but at twice the amperage of the single panel. Let me know if I'm off here.

Thanks again for replying. I'm new to the small offgrid solar stuff! I hope you and family are safe.

Swamperdog.

Click to expand...

If you connect different voltages/Amp arrays in parallel or series you will lose watts depending on the configuration, you can just connect the 3 160W solar panels in series and you will be fine.