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MPP 12v 1kW Model All In One, is this still a viable option for me?

Dinky

New Member
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Jun 14, 2021
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Hi Folks,
I was thinking about building out my own system then I watched Will's video on the MPP 12v 1kW Model all in one, seems so easy. (
) I will not be using an inverter very much, so this seems like a good option for me. I live north of Seattle, most of my usage will be in spring, summer, fall. Lots of days with no sun possibe. I have a generator at the barn for charging if I need it. (Honda EU 3000 I) Is this MPP 12v 1kw all in one still a viable option? Or? Suggestions please? (System will power 12 volt pump, and fan. A few light just to see if there is enough power.)
Already purchased:

2- 100ah SOK batterries,
1- 12 volt Seaflo pump Model 55, 5.5 gpm, 8.0Amps, Max. Amps:17.0A
On list:

5 RICH SOLAR 100 Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panels
1 Western Harmonics 12v 20" shutter exhaust fan Electrical: DC 12 Volts; 1.1 - 6 amp operating
Lights? Maybe if I have enough power.
Wire, and/or etc.
Thank you kindly,
Steve
 
You're in the correct zone :)

If I may voice a couple of thoughts:
1) As an alternative, you could put your 2 x SOK batteries in series for 24v and then go with the 24v - LV2424 model https://usamppsolar.com/product/pip-lv2424-msd/ You'll have the same battery power as 12v in parallel. You will find 24v requires smaller wires and (to me) is a little more mainstream than a 12v system.. and leave you room to grow more easily down the road.

2) 5 panels is an odd number / 5 in series may put the input voltage too hi for either the 12v or 24v systems. Consider going 6 so you can do 2 strings of 3 in series.
 
You're in the correct zone :)

If I may voice a couple of thoughts:
1) As an alternative, you could put your 2 x SOK batteries in series for 24v and then go with the 24v - LV2424 model https://usamppsolar.com/product/pip-lv2424-msd/ You'll have the same battery power as 12v in parallel. You will find 24v requires smaller wires and (to me) is a little more mainstream than a 12v system.. and leave you room to grow more easily down the road.

2) 5 panels is an odd number / 5 in series may put the input voltage too hi for either the 12v or 24v systems. Consider going 6 so you can do 2 strings of 3 in series.

I have not looked into 24v, what do I need to do to run the 12v stuff, if I go this route?
Thanks again,
Steve
 
Thank you! I'll take a look at Will's video "12 or 24 volt......." Question though, will that 12 volt converter-regulator-transformer be draining current if I leave it in the system continuously? Sorry for my ignorance.
Kind Regards,
Steve
Perfectly good question :) Yes - anything that's on will draw some load - including the MPP Solar unit. The MPP Solar draws around 40w sitting idle and the 24vdc -> 12vdc is tiny compared to that. You can put a switch on the battery -> step-down unit. You can also go 120v -> 12vdc so that if the MPP Solar is off, the step-down is off as well.

If you have 500w of solar coming in then things shouldn't run down due to these background draws on power.

----------------------------
I'm re-reading this and it sounds 'pushy' which is not my intent. There's nothing wrong with the thinking in your original post!

The reason I commented is that I'm way on the other side of this after a few years and there is a common progression from 'small' to - wow, solar really works, why not more..... In your case a barn brings to mind - power tools, overhead lights, equipment, maybe even a rain harvest pump system. As consumption grows, amps build up *really* quickly at 12v - too quickly to power significant 'stuff'. When you go 24v, it cuts the amps in 1/2 plus you'll find more equipment options.

This is all what lead me to comment on 24v in the first place - I'm guessing that you'll really like solar and will want to grow your consumption. In which case, you'll be better off starting with 24v instead of a 12v system - you'll be able to significantly expand the solar panel input and expand your consumption.
 
Last edited:
Perfectly good question :) Yes - anything that's on will draw some load - including the MPP Solar unit. The MPP Solar draws around 40w sitting idle and the 24vdc -> 12vdc is tiny compared to that. You can put a switch on the battery -> step-down unit. You can also go 120v -> 12vdc so that if the MPP Solar is off, the step-down is off as well.

If you have 500w of solar coming in then things shouldn't run down due to these background draws on power.

----------------------------
I'm re-reading this and it sounds 'pushy' which is not my intent. There's nothing wrong with the thinking in your original post!

The reason I commented is that I'm way on the other side of this after a few years and there is a common progression from 'small' to - wow, solar really works, why not more..... In your case a barn brings to mind - power tools, overhead lights, equipment, maybe even a rain harvest pump system. As consumption grows, amps build up *really* quickly at 12v - too quickly to power significant 'stuff'. When you go 24v, it cuts the amps in 1/2 plus you'll find more equipment options.

This is all what lead me to comment on 24v in the first place - I'm guessing that you'll really like solar and will want to grow your consumption. In which case, you'll be better off starting with 24v instead of a 12v system - you'll be able to significantly expand the solar panel input and expand your consumption.
Not pushy at all, I appreciate your experience, and your constructive ideas and viewpoints. I will definitely fully check into the 24 volt option. Sounds like a winner for us here. This is off grid, no 120v other than the generator. The house is 1/2 mile from the barn. Will my Honda eu 3000i work with the 24 volt All In One? Also can I start with 4 100w panels? Or? Thanks!
Again sorry for all the questions.
Thanks again!
Steve
 
Not pushy at all, I appreciate your experience, and your constructive ideas and viewpoints. I will definitely fully check into the 24 volt option. Sounds like a winner for us here. This is off grid, no 120v other than the generator. The house is 1/2 mile from the barn.

Will my Honda eu 3000i work with the 24 volt All In One?
Sure. Just run a 120v wire with a plug on the end from the MPP Solar 120v input terminals... and plug it in. The PIP will use this power to charge the batteries + give 120v power out thru the inverter whenever the generator is running.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Here's an example of 12v vs 24v.
I happen to have an eu3000is connected to my MPP Solar PIP (48v model) in my Trailer. Thru experimentation, I was to get 2,200w steady into the PIP before the generator started running erratically due to overload. The key numbers are:
- 2,200w / 120vac = 18.3a.
- 2,200w / 24vdc = 92a.
- 2,200w / 12vdc = 183a.

Rgw LV3048 PIP has "Max Charging Current" = 110a and "Max AC Charging Current"= 60a.
1626565364419.png

2200w/12v = 183a - probably too much for the PIP settings so you couldn't use 100% of the generator capability to charge the batteries.
*Couldn't easily find a user manual - but 183a is *very high*.


2200w/24v = 92a - you could in theory use the max capacity of the generator to charge the batteries.
Here's the section from the LV2424 user manual - looks like 140a max charging - e.g. you could use 100% of the generator output
1626567133980.png


Also can I start with 4 100w panels? Or? Thanks!

From an LV2424 model user manual.....
1626565823582.png

And I found these specs for Rich Solar Poly - https://richsolar.com/products/100-watt-solar-panel-poly
1626566121860.png

The key numbers as far as what you can put into the LV2424 are the voltage numbers. The Panel Vmp = 18.2v (power voltage) and Voc = 22.1v (max voltage that is likely). If you 4 in series - its 4 x 22.1 = 88.4v. This is < 145vdc max for the LV2424 AND 4 x 18.2 = 72.8v is within the 30-80vdc "PV Array MPPT Voltage Range" spec - so this is good.

If you do 2 in series and 2 in parallel (2s2p) its 2 x 22.1v = 44.2v max and 2 x 18.2 = 36.4v power. Once again these numbers are < 145vdc max and within the 30-80vdc MPPT voltage range.

IF you do the 12v MPP Solar PIP - it will have a similar table of max and operating numbers... probably a little lower so 2s2p will be more likely.
 
Last edited:
Wow, thanks! So kind of you. It will take me some time to take all that in!
Kind Regards,
Steve
 
Sure. Just run a 120v wire with a plug on the end from the MPP Solar 120v input terminals... and plug it in. The PIP will use this power to charge the batteries + give 120v power out thru the inverter whenever the generator is running.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Here's an example of 12v vs 24v.
I happen to have an eu3000is connected to my MPP Solar PIP (48v model) in my Trailer. Thru experimentation, I was to get 2,200w steady into the PIP before the generator started running erratically due to overload. The key numbers are:
- 2,200w / 120vac = 18.3a.
- 2,200w / 24vdc = 92a.
- 2,200w / 12vdc = 183a.

Rgw LV3048 PIP has "Max Charging Current" = 110a and "Max AC Charging Current"= 60a.
View attachment 56675

2200w/12v = 183a - probably too much for the PIP settings so you couldn't use 100% of the generator capability to charge the batteries.
*Couldn't easily find a user manual - but 183a is *very high*.


2200w/24v = 92a - you could in theory use the max capacity of the generator to charge the batteries.
Here's the section from the LV2424 user manual - looks like 140a max charging - e.g. you could use 100% of the generator output
View attachment 56681




From an LV2424 model user manual.....
View attachment 56679

And I found these specs for Rich Solar Poly - https://richsolar.com/products/100-watt-solar-panel-poly
View attachment 56680

The key numbers as far as what you can put into the LV2424 are the voltage numbers. The Panel Vmp = 18.2v (power voltage) and Voc = 22.1v (max voltage that is likely). If you 4 in series - its 4 x 22.1 = 88.4v. This is < 145vdc max for the LV2424 AND 4 x 18.2 = 72.8v is within the 30-80vdc "PV Array MPPT Voltage Range" spec - so this is good.

If you do 2 in series and 2 in parallel (2s2p) its 2 x 22.1v = 44.2v max and 2 x 18.2 = 36.4v power. Once again these numbers are < 145vdc max and within the 30-80vdc MPPT voltage range.

IF you do the 12v MPP Solar PIP - it will have a similar table of max and operating numbers... probably a little lower so 2s2p will be more likely.
 
Sure. Just run a 120v wire with a plug on the end from the MPP Solar 120v input terminals... and plug it in. The PIP will use this power to charge the batteries + give 120v power out thru the inverter whenever the generator is running.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Here's an example of 12v vs 24v.
I happen to have an eu3000is connected to my MPP Solar PIP (48v model) in my Trailer. Thru experimentation, I was to get 2,200w steady into the PIP before the generator started running erratically due to overload. The key numbers are:
- 2,200w / 120vac = 18.3a.
- 2,200w / 24vdc = 92a.
- 2,200w / 12vdc = 183a.

Rgw LV3048 PIP has "Max Charging Current" = 110a and "Max AC Charging Current"= 60a.
View attachment 56675

2200w/12v = 183a - probably too much for the PIP settings so you couldn't use 100% of the generator capability to charge the batteries.
*Couldn't easily find a user manual - but 183a is *very high*.


2200w/24v = 92a - you could in theory use the max capacity of the generator to charge the batteries.
Here's the section from the LV2424 user manual - looks like 140a max charging - e.g. you could use 100% of the generator output
View attachment 56681




From an LV2424 model user manual.....
View attachment 56679

And I found these specs for Rich Solar Poly - https://richsolar.com/products/100-watt-solar-panel-poly
View attachment 56680

The key numbers as far as what you can put into the LV2424 are the voltage numbers. The Panel Vmp = 18.2v (power voltage) and Voc = 22.1v (max voltage that is likely). If you 4 in series - its 4 x 22.1 = 88.4v. This is < 145vdc max for the LV2424 AND 4 x 18.2 = 72.8v is within the 30-80vdc "PV Array MPPT Voltage Range" spec - so this is good.

If you do 2 in series and 2 in parallel (2s2p) its 2 x 22.1v = 44.2v max and 2 x 18.2 = 36.4v power. Once again these numbers are < 145vdc max and within the 30-80vdc MPPT voltage range.

IF you do the 12v MPP Solar PIP - it will have a similar table of max and operating numbers... probably a little lower so 2s2p will be more likely.
Wow, thanks! So kind of you. It will take me some time to take all that in!
Kind Regards,
Steve
 
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