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My Cabin Setup

50acres&acabin

50acres&acabin

New Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2019
Messages
17
Hi, this is my system on my cabin that I have slowly been working on. I started out with a South facing array of 640 watts running to a Victron 100/30 cc with a cotek 1500 inverter, an Iota DLS battery charger and 4 crown CR 260 FLA batteries. My whole system is 24 volt. After suffering through a very long hot summer I decided to add a 400 watt East facing array along with a 15 amp Victron CC and a West facing 150 watt array running to a 10 amp Victron CC. Next spring I will either put in a small mini split or a 500 btu window unit and run it with careful load management. I use a BMV 712 and am in the process of adding volt amp meters for each array so I can better guage the individual performances of each array. Due to the fact that I am partially in a valley, I don't get the longest sun hours on the East and West arrays but in mid summer when I really want the power they get about 3 or 4 hours of sun each. I like my cedar trees so I don't plan on cutting any of them down even though I could gain a bit more juice if I did.
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50acres&acabin said:
Hi, this is my system on my cabin that I have slowly been working on. I started out with a South facing array of 640 watts running to a Victron 100/30 cc with a cotek 1500 inverter, an Iota DLS battery charger and 4 crown CR 260 FLA batteries. My whole system is 24 volt. After suffering through a very long hot summer I decided to add a 400 watt East facing array along with a 15 amp Victron CC and a West facing 150 watt array running to a 10 amp Victron CC. Next spring I will either put in a small mini split or a 500 btu window unit and run it with careful load management. I use a BMV 712 and am in the process of adding volt amp meters for each array so I can better guage the individual performances of each array. Due to the fact that I am partially in a valley, I don't get the longest sun hours on the East and West arrays but in mid summer when I really want the power they get about 3 or 4 hours of sun each. I like my cedar trees so I don't plan on cutting any of them down even though I could gain a bit more juice if I did.
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Nice!
Ask if you need assistance with mini split install questions etc.
 
I have to hand it to the members, the workmanship is better quality than I've seen from some "professionals".

My OCDness really grooves on how straight those Victrons are!
 
Thanks everyone. Next project is cleaning up my wiring on the power board, make it look neat, bundle, staple, put it in conduit where possible.
 
Nice looking location and cabin. Where is this located? 50 acres too, very nice indeed!
 
Just some constructive criticism.
Picture 1,
I would have placed two sections of galvanized uni-strut the full length and at the top of the roof. Then started my panels at top left. That way I could expand the system as and when without having to undo and remove anything - eventually having the scope to fill the entire roof. Looks pretty having the panels in the centre, but will create more work.

On my East facing array, that's what I did, and slowly increased the panels until I could not fit anymore. It was always in the back of my head I would max out - and I am glad I did - seems I can never make enough power.. lol

Don't get me wrong - you have done a cracking job, and would love to live there myself !
 
What did you use to attach on the metal roof?

Also, how many points of attachment for the rails?

Looks great! All of it.
 
Thanks Umpa, no worries. One of my plans is to replace those cheap fred480v panels with some better slightly larger ones. I don't like the way the rack sticks out on either side. That will get me probably 200 extra watts give or take. When I do that I will run the conduit straight up to the ridge cap and then under the ridge over to the side. At that point I don't see myself needing much more juice.

That rail system is from Iron Ridge, they have different types of hardware for attaching to different roofs. The ones I used were purpose build for my type of roof I got them from Northern Arizona Wind and Sun. Several installers I have spoken to said they prefer snap n rack for what its worth. IIRC each rail has 4 points. Seems sturdy, I basically did what NAWS suggested on the install.
 
Here is a picture update since I mostly finished up the siding on the outside. The cabin is a work in progress. I started in 2014 and usually get to work on it 3-4 days a month. I've been using the solar for 2 years now and it really works great. I don't think I've ever had my batteries below 93% fully charged except one time I accidentally left something turned on for a week.
 

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50acres&acabin said:
Here is a picture update since I mostly finished up the siding on the outside. The cabin is a work in progress. I started in 2014 and usually get to work on it 3-4 days a month. I've been using the solar for 2 years now and it really works great. I don't think I've ever had my batteries below 93% fully charged except one time I accidentally left something turned on for a week.
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I have always fancied something like what you have.... best of luck to you I hope you enjoy it as much as I would !(y)
 
Hey @50acres&acabin, it's great to see you here. Been following your cabin build for a while, since you started the solar project. I'm just getting started with the whole solar thing, planning to put a small system at my yurt that I finished this past winter. Using you and everyone here for inspiration and ideas. Thanks!

Earl
 
elewis33 said:
Hey @50acres&acabin, it's great to see you here. Been following your cabin build for a while, since you started the solar project. I'm just getting started with the whole solar thing, planning to put a small system at my yurt that I finished this past winter. Using you and everyone here for inspiration and ideas. Thanks!

Earl
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Hey Earl good to see you too man. I am working on a video now that I think people here will really like, automating my whole house fan with Arduino. Hopefully I can get it done in time for Saturday.
 
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