I have 98 240 watt panels installed .seven strings of 14 panels, 465 measured open dc volts . I also have the largest Electric forklift battery I could find, but I'm open to other battery suggestions if necessary, I'm trying to decide what the best high voltage charge controller and inverter would be to utilize these panels, I'd like to run a 5 ton Central AC unit from my house. The house is off grid. I have been living off grid for 30 years, but higher voltage solar is not something I'm familiar with. I really really appreciate the help.
Inverter to run 5 ton AC
- Thread starter tylarson
- Start date
MisterSandals
Participation Medalist
What are the panel listed Voc? Have you calculated temperature adjusted Voc numbers?
Do you have a price range or quality/reliability level in mind?
Can you describe the power requirements in terms of watts or amps to run and the startup surge amps?
sunshine_eggo
Happy Breffast!
Running a 5 ton isn't such a big deal. Starting one is a nightmare. Recommend you investigate installing a soft-starter to reduce surge.
www.microair.net
EasyStart™ 368 Soft Starter
The EasyStart™ soft start motor starter supports 115 & 230V A/C motors & employs a 4-part start ramp sequence that offers the lowest possible start-up current.
www.microair.net
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sunshine_eggo
Happy Breffast!
it is very important that they be VERY similar.
ALL panels in a string will operate at the LOWEST rated panel's current.
Vmp of strings in parallel should be within about 5% of each other. Normally, I'd say 10%, but with string voltage that high, I'd be a little more concerned.
I have an older 4-ton HVAC installed in 2006 and it draws about 55A on startup with an EasyStart 368. Running amps is around 16A. My Honda EU7000is couldn't start it. I would recommend a low frequency inverter or multiple high frequency inverters to ensure they can handle the surge.
MisterSandals
Participation Medalist
How big and what chemistry? Your SCC will need to be compatible with your battery(s).
Getting your mystery set of panels sorted out will be your most important task in order to proceed.
How old is the 5 ton unit?
How large is the house?
What zone or climate are you in?
How large is the house?
What zone or climate are you in?
Best way to answer this is with data.
You should know the cooling load the house needs.
A 5 ton unit is HUGE for residential.
If you need 5 tons, three 2 ton units would be more efficient.
Or 3 1.5 ton units.
Most homeowners have no idea how much cooling their house needs. They want a large system that can cool it down fast and shutup and take my money...
A FAR smarter plan is to seal and insulate the daylights out of the house, build dehumidification if needed, and install a system that can handle the peak loading running 24/7 and modulates down on other days.
You should know the cooling load the house needs.
A 5 ton unit is HUGE for residential.
If you need 5 tons, three 2 ton units would be more efficient.
Or 3 1.5 ton units.
Most homeowners have no idea how much cooling their house needs. They want a large system that can cool it down fast and shutup and take my money...
A FAR smarter plan is to seal and insulate the daylights out of the house, build dehumidification if needed, and install a system that can handle the peak loading running 24/7 and modulates down on other days.
Ok, understood.
How big is yoyr generator?
sunshine_eggo
Happy Breffast!
Performance. since they're in parallel, they will be forced to operate at the same voltage - likely neither voltage optimal for either string. Whatever the % difference, expect that level of efficiency loss.
Additionally, if the difference is large enough, the lower voltage string may serve as a short circuit for the higher voltage string, meaning you won't get anything at all. You'll need to install blocking diodes in each string, and performance penalties may be major depending on the effectiveness of the MPPT algorithm.
Hello browse, I think you have accomplished what I'm trying to do, how many kilowatts of solar do you have that runs your ac? And what inverter do you have or what would you recommend?
Any chance you live near me in NC? i might swap the 5 for a pair of 2.5's or similar...
I don't have solar yet, but I do have a Growatt 12k inverter and 20kWh of Lifepower4 batteries as my primary emergency backup power system. I would be using the generator to recharge the batteries in the event of a prolonged outage.
This guy has both the 6k and the 12k powering AC units:
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