Introducing myself

Hello all. Just joined so a quick intro.

I am living full time in an off grid cabin in Worcestershire, central UK. I inherited a solar system when I bought the place a couple of years back and have made some tweaks and changes, which I like to call 'improvements', but looking to update and enhance the system over the next couple of years as budget permits.

Basically, the system comprises:
6 x panels of indeterminate make and size (can't get to them without some ladder assistance so waiting help), but I reckon about 60-80W each for reasons I'll describe later
Epever tracer 30A MPPT controller. This is one of my 'improvements', replacing the original Morningstar PRS12 (12A?) PWM unit which was woefully inadequate
10 x Yuasa EN100-6 batteries in pairs for a 12V system (is this 500AH or 1000AH - can't get my head around that one)
Victron 350w PSW inverter for TV, laptop charging etc. All lights are 12v LED

I have also added a Hyundai DHY8000 diesel generator switched into the 240V circuit via a manual changeover to power washer, vacuum and the all important bean to cup coffee machine.

System seems to cope OK, but the first winter here with the PWM controller, it struggled to keep up. Since changing to the MPPT unit, battery voltage has never fallen below 11.7V on load, but careful power management is needed in the darker winter months, i.e. keep reminding wife to switch off TV & inverter after use as they still draw on standby! Summer months are fine, even in the cloudy and wet UK. Generator adds adds some charge via a 30A charger whenever running.

The highest charge current I have seen on the Epever monitor display is 24A on a bright sunny summer day, which is where I have drawn the conclusion that the panels are 60-80w each. 24A at 12V is around 288W, yes? Therefore 48W per panel, with losses... Please correct me if I am wildly out with this I am also guessing that all 6 panels are in parallel as the maximum PV voltage shows at 21V

So, to my planned further 'improvements'! I have been fortunate to acquire at a very good price 8 x Canadian Solar 250W mono panels with all the fixing rails etc, a box of various solar controllers, leads, connectors etc and other bits and pieces.

Two of these panels are now on the shed charging a pair of Fullriver 210Ah batteries via a Victron 75/15 MPPT controller, with a 2000W MSW inverter (I know, but it was free!) This is now very successfully supporting a chest freezer converted into a fridge using an Inkbird ITC-308 temperature controller, plus charging batteries for various cordless tools and occasional use of small 240V power tools. Hopefully the inverter will be changed for a PSW unit in due course.

I now intend to install another 2 of the 250W panels on a ground mounted frame to supplement the house system, connected via a separate Epever 30A MPPT controller in parallel with the existing one to switch in during winter for some additional charging. This should give up to a potential 20A of additional charge at 12V in ideal conditions?

Next step is to change the battery bank, as they were here when I bought the place so are of indeterminate age. Lithium will unfortunately be way out of my budget, so I am considering Hoppecke AGM units like these https://tinyurl.com/ybcj33uz which seem a pretty good price, and will give the opportunity to move to 24V

Apologies, that intro turned out longer than I planned, but I look forward to learning from the forum!

Affordable Solarguy said:

Hello ! and Welcome! You seem to have a good basic grasp on off grid. First thing, YES, go with a 24 volt system at least so you can charge it with your generator. Second: There are great AGM batteries out there, but this is rated as one of the best and is affordable I use them , free shipping too https://www.ebay.com/p/3033166895?iid=401742018311
I know people love the EpEver but 30 amp is tiny, you can keep it as supplementary, but this is the best bang for the buck I have ever found, mine is 3 years old now, amazing output , can run any voltage battery bank 12/24/36 or 48 , true mppt, and can run 1440 watts of panels on a 24 volt battery bank , and only cost 115 bucks https://makeskyblue.com/products/60a-mppt-solar-charge-controller
Here is my latest video on its specs and manual review , and another 45 diy off gird solar tutorial videos. Hope you can find everything you need

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Thanks for the welcome!

Interesting looking video. I will watch and fully absorb later.

Not come across the makeskyblue brand here in the UK, but certainly looks to blow the pants off Epever! Amazon UK is listing it as unavailable, but I will investigate further.

Thanks again

Affordable Solarguy said:

This is the brand inverter I use, 24 volt instead of 12, and this is 3500 watt pure sine wave 7000 peak, you only need the 1000 watt version, which I can't find right now https://www.ebay.com/b/24-35V-Car-Power-Pure-Sine-Inverters/58020/bn_8005611

There are also Hybrids that are both a charger and inverter in one like this at https://makeskyblue.com/

2KVA 1600W Hybrid Pure Sine Wave MPPT Solar Inverter, 24V DC to 120V AC, Off Grid Tie

2KVA 1600W Hybrid Pure Sine Wave MPPT Solar Inverter，24V DC to 120V AC Off-grid tie Pure sine wave inverter Built-in MPPT solar charge controller Selectable input voltage range for home appliances and personal computers Selectable charging current based on applications Configurable AC/Solar...

makeskyblue.com

I'll keep looking for the brand inverter I trust and use in the 24 volt range that is not so huge and powerful at the one above, will be much cheaper. But with this kind of investment, you will have lots of power, for cooking, heating water, normal AC appliances, etc. And the Make Sky Blue performs great in over cast conditions, very fast mppt tracking.

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Fantastic! This is really helpful stuff. Thanks

Looks like I can order makeskyblue products direct from China for delivery to the UK. Will add this to my research list...

Affordable Solarguy said:

I have installed 4 Make Sky Blue solar charge controllers in this valley for people in the past 3 years, all just keep impressing me. Check out what mine does with 8 -100 watt panels on a 12 volt battery bank on a cool spring day. And it is only 115 bucks

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Wow that's impressive!

Affordable Solarguy said:

this is the inverter I run everything on , refrigerator, heaters, AC, fans, cook, powerful gaming computer, stereos, lights , but I run a 12 volt system, maybe your generator has an adapter to charge 12 volt? Very affordable and reliable https://www.ebay.com/p/14031086292?iid=232635461270

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Thanks again Solarguy

No problem using the generator to charge either 12v or 24v as I have one of these https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637202101/startercharger-16030amp-1224v-230v running direct from the 240V supply.

Not a very 'smart' charger, but I only switch it on when needed, and after the gennie has started and settled down, plus it's useful for starting the car when I have left the lights on

Affordable Solarguy said:

this is the inverter I run everything on , refrigerator, heaters, AC, fans, cook, powerful gaming computer, stereos, lights , but I run a 12 volt system, maybe your generator has an adapter to charge 12 volt? Very affordable and reliable https://www.ebay.com/p/14031086292?iid=232635461270

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This is the inverter I have on the shed system, which seems to work fine despite being MSW

And this is the one on the house system for TV, laptop charging and other low power stuff

Affordable Solarguy said:

Micro wind turbines rock too, if you have any wind there, they put out lots of power, even where the sun doesn't shine, and only about 100 bucks. You could do a massive upgrade with the the Make SkyBlue 60 amp controller, and the 1,500 watt inverter, along with a couple large 250 or bigger panels , and keep your 12 volt system battery bank : MSB 60 amp mppt----115 dollars
1500 watt pure sine wave inverter-----170
250 watt panel x2----????
400 watt micro turbine 12/24 volt----100
Massive power improvement with room to grow and increase voltage anytime.

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I did consider wind, but we are very sheltered by a high bank, so wind is pretty fluky! Reckon I am best investing more in the solar side.

Affordable Solarguy said:

check on the internet what the annual average wind speed is, if its above 10 mph, it will be worth it, and you can have it VERY far from the battery, its 3 phase AC until it gets to its controller. put it on top of the hill or on tree tops like mine here , I linked to the middle of the video where you can see my treetop solar array and wind turbine

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This is how sheltered we are - The bank behind is outside of the property line unfortunately, so no chance of placing a turbine there! Completely surrounded by trees, but the front is South facing, so good for the solar. Note the poor mounting of the panels by the previous owner. One of the many thing on my 'to do soon' list!

The new fence is all my own work



EDIT.. Just watching your video though has got me thinking again

System:
1200W (4) (300W) Mono panels, MS45 MPPT, tied to almost a 1200Ah AGM 24v battery bank, Used 750W UPS connected for an inverter (Modified sine wave) power my computers and TV in my shop/man cave. Future "system" that is sort of in the works, I'm still "picking parts for it", a 6000W tracker.

80MW grid-tie at work.

Back ground:
Diesel Mechanics, conventional power generation, Power restoration during storm events, Electrical/Electrician, Solar Tech I for a Solar Energy company for now.

About me:
Diesel Mechanics, conventional power generation, Electrical/Electrician, Solar Tech I for a Solar Energy company for now. "Tinker" as some of my Scottish friends put it. LeBlonde Lathe and BP knee mill among some of the toys in the shop/cave. As my significant other of 30+ years says, she (retired Engineer) says I'm a "picker", I scavenge things to work, build things with. I have it to an art form. My entire system is built from used , "picked" and repaired parts. I'm sort of new to solar. I have a few Facebook pages some find interesting. They are set to public, feel free to check them out, post comment and contribute input. They are for learning. From time to time I run across used parts that I buy and sell, swap and barter with. I enjoy helping people out. I LOVE TO BARTER!

If you're local to me, feel free to drop by. You might see something you want or need.

Affordable Solarguy said:

EEK!!!!!!
I would never run my computer or any expensive electronics on "modified sine wave". You need "pure sine wave". You'll also notice a horid buzzing sound in motors , like fans, and florecent lights will buzz too. Its a square wave and can easily cause problems in fine electronics.

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Not trying to insult your intelligence, but you are aware how a power supply works in a computer or anything else? DC power out, it has a VERY slight ripple wave form when seen on an O-scope. Most if not all UPS systems are modified sine wave. Yes, AC motors do not like square for sure or even modified sine waves... I have an above average understanding of electricity and how it works. A UPS is not a "square wave", it's a "modified square wave" the corners are "rounded off" so to speak. The UPS you have sitting on your desk that is a UPS for your computer system as most people have, is what I'm using. The wave form it puts out is not perfect, but is also not square. I've looked at mine on an O-scope.

Affordable Solarguy said:

Roof peak mounts for wind turbines can work really well since the wind is compressed up the rake, over the panels, to a turbine just bairly off the roof peak. Ram Air.

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Good idea, but I think my concern with anything building mounted would be noise transmission through the wooden structure. I'm pretty much stone deaf so wouldn't affect me, but my wife can hear a pin drop in a raging storm!

TheEquineFencer said:

Not trying to insult your intelligence, but you are aware how a power supply works in a computer or anything else? DC power out, it has a VERY slight ripple wave form when seen on an O-scope. Most if not all UPS systems are modified sine wave. Yes, AC motors do not like square for sure or even modified sine waves... I have an above average understanding of electricity and how it works. A UPS is not a "square wave", it's a "modified square wave" the corners are "rounded off" so to speak. The UPS you have sitting on your desk that is a UPS for your computer system as most people have, is what I'm using. The wave form it puts out is not perfect, but is also not square. I've looked at mine on an O-scope.

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Whilst all this is true, when I tried a modified sine-wave inverter, my hifi was unusable with a high frequency clicking - even worse if trying to use the radio, as was my apple computer, it sounded terrible. As the load on the inverter increased so did the interference. It just was not a pleasant experience.

I feel I need to add that it was a cheapo Chinese inverter, and YMMV with a more expensive one, that said my latest inverter is a cheap Chinese PSW, and it works fine so far. The one fore that was an Eco-Worthy Hi-frequency inverter - whilst absolute rubbish it was better then the modified version.

I would say - Pure Sine all the way.