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What does Continuous Rating mean?

MartyByrde

Off-Grid Innovator
Joined
May 16, 2022
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USA
Can I safely charge with up to 600A or does “continuous rating” mean something else?6471CDEE-7049-4F47-ABE7-C2825DB83D9F.jpeg812DB161-EECE-4E8A-A383-C49BDD33EFCA.jpeg
 
Yes, as far as the bus bar is concerned.
I’m curious, would a T class fuse be sized at 600A then or better to allow some room like 700A T class?

Currently I have a 400A T class fuse on this 600A busbar. My Victron smart shunt records around 200A flowing in when I have no load running. I’d like to double my panels in the future, so starting to plan it so I don’t blow a fuse or worse.9E3171A3-2634-46C6-99A4-3226C1550AFA.png
 
Last edited:
Fuse should be sized for what it's protecting.
That's usually the wiring. Are you planning on using huge wires? (750kcml)
 
Fuse should be sized for what it's protecting.
That's usually the wiring. Are you planning on using huge wires? (750kcml)
I’d upgrade the wires, yes. Currently I have Windy Nation 4/0 which they say is good to ~440A. I haven’t investigated how difficult it is to find wire this size or cost.

Another build option I’ve been considering is to add an identical busbar (600A bluesea and 400A T class), so to have two busbar banks both attached to a main 1000A busbar. I’m not experienced though with how these two would cooperate -

My understanding is if everything is balanced it’ll be okay. But if unbalanced, if one busbar of batteries reaches capacity and a surge flows to the other busbar it could pop the fuse.

Here’s what it currently looks like:
0EDC4DF8-0FF8-4B15-8650-F4CF2F65AB45.jpeg
 
I don't see any fuses for the wires coming from the top positive bus bar. Assuming that they are going to inverters or other loads.
 
Continuous would be 3+ hours at max without issues of heat etc. As opposed to a short surge rating.
 
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