Why so much stuff? bells whistles or is it needed?

[newB or not newB]

Been lurking for a while trying to learn and I have a question.
Why so much stuff, I've seen many vids (Will's included) of basic systems but reading on here I see much more stuff added to systems like E-panels, wifi, parts and pieces I have never heard of or seen used in basic systems.
I'm looking at building a 3,000 system for my cabin, is all that needed? other systems that size seem to work well with just basic
components. how do you learn what all is needed? not sure if people are overcomplicating systems or if I have no grasp what a good system needs, probably the latter.

 

[John Frum]

Been lurking for a while trying to learn and I have a question.
Why so much stuff, I've seen many vids (Will's included) of basic systems but reading on here I see much more stuff added to systems like E-panels, wifi, parts and pieces I have never heard of or seen used in basic systems.
I'm looking at building a 3,000 system for my cabin, is all that needed? other systems that size seem to work well with just basic
components. how do you learn what all is needed? not sure if people are overcomplicating systems or if I have no grasp what a good system needs, probably the latter.

Lets design you a system for your specific requirements and see what is actually needed for your setup.

Full disclosure, I don't know what an e-panel is.
What is an e-panel?
Wifi integration generally only happens with a Victron system.
Parts and pieces could be anything.

By 3000 system I guess you mean a system around a 3000 watt inverter, confirm?

 

[robby]

not sure if people are overcomplicating systems or if I have no grasp what a good system needs, probably the latter.

Watching and waiting to be enlightened.

 

[Samsonite801]

Yeah I agree, KISS (Keep It Simple Silly) or (Keep It Silly Simple) I always forget which way it goes...

(I prefer the G rated version so it's happy for all audiences)


You don't want to create a maintenance nightmare, don't put anything on your system that you don't need, decide into your plan if you want redundancy or if it's not important, build it to be scaleable if that's important to you.

 

[time2roll]

Some enjoy simple components, others love the expanded technology for control, automation and data.
It is DIY so your call on how deep you want to go.

I like basic stuff and separate components.

 

[Horsefly]

Full disclosure, I don't know what and e-panel is.
What is an e-panel?

E-Panel usually refers to a separate box with all the breakers and bus bars to tie all the DC (and potentially AC) stuff in one place. I use the Midnite Solar E-Panel that was specifically designed to work with my Schneider SW4024 Inverter. In the photo below it is the box in the middle, attached to the left side of the Inverter/Charger. The Battery, SCC, DC loads, AC in (L1,L2, and neutral from the generator) and AC out (L1, L2 and neutral to the main breaker panel) all connect in the E-Panel. It makes everything easier and cleaner to wire, in my opinion.

 

[newB or not newB]

Lets design you a system for your specific requirements and see what is actually needed for your setup.

Full disclosure, I don't know what and e-panel is.
What is an e-panel?
Wifi integration generally only happens with a Victron system.
Parts and pieces could be anything.

By 3000 system I guess you mean a system around a 3000 watt inverter, confirm?

i'm looking at 6 -440 watt panels
3 24V battleborn batteries
midnite solar 150 CC
3,000 watt inverter

I used the kill'a'watt to do a power usage calculation, i'm just powering basic stuff, a refrig, microwave, 2, TV's and lights, max usage
with everything running will be 2,113 watts

 

[Samsonite801]

E-Panel usually refers to a separate box with all the breakers and bus bars to tie all the DC (and potentially AC) stuff in one place. I use the Midnite Solar E-Panel that was specifically designed to work with my Schneider SW4024 Inverter. In the photo below it is the box in the middle, attached to the left side of the Inverter/Charger. The Battery, SCC, DC loads, AC in (L1,L2, and neutral from the generator) and AC out (L1, L2 and neutral to the main breaker panel) all connect in the E-Panel. It makes everything easier and cleaner to wire, in my opinion.

View attachment 76136

I've always liked the wiring trough on the bottom. I bought a 6ft long one for my upcoming dual MPP build. The YouTube channel, Engineer775 always uses them on his builds too... Great place to store all the extra spaghetti...

 

[John Frum]

i'm looking at 6 -440 watt panels
3 24V battleborn batteries
midnite solar 150 CC
3,000 watt inverter

I used the kill'a'watt to do a power usage calculation, i'm just powering basic stuff, a refrig, microwave, 2, TV's and lights, max usage
with everything running will be 2,113 watts

6x 440 watt panels
1x midnite solar 150 CC
3x 24V battleborn batteries (150 amp hours@25.6 volts=3840 watt hours)
1x 3,000 watt inverter

q: Discrete inverter or inverter/charger?
a:

q: Will the cabin have an ac distribution panel?
a:

q: Do you require the ability to charge from ac power?
a:

q: Do you require an ice generator to cover cloudy days?
a:

 

[newB or not newB]

6x 440 watt panels
1x midnite solar 150 CC
3x 24V battleborn batteries (150 amp hours@25.6 volts=3840 watt hours)
1x 3,000 watt inverter

q: Discrete inverter or inverter/charger?
a: just inverter

q: Will the cabin have an ac distribution panel?
a: I thinking yes with a breaker.
q: Do you require the ability to charge from ac power?
a: no,

q: Do you require an ice generator to cover cloudy days?
a: no

Thanks in advance

 

[John Frum]

What configuration are you planning for the panels?
I think 6s is not possible for a 150 volt solar charge controller.
Which inverter are you planning for?
I think you need a low voltage disconnect of 24 volts minimum.
If the inverter doesn't do that itself then you should use an inverter than supports remote-switching and get a victron smart battery protect.

This battery gives you 50 more amp hours for ~$1000.00 less dollars and has proper over-current protection included.

24V 200AH LiFePower4 Battery by EG4

ADD-ON CHARGER DEAL Get the 40A LIFEPO4 24V Charger for 33% off in cart DESCRIPTION SPECS & MANUAL VIDEOS SHIPPING 24V 200AH LiFePower4 Battery by EG4 THIS IS A PRE-ORDER ITEM WITH A 3-4 WEEK LEAD TIME Signature Solar’s premier lithium battery, GYLL, has been rebranded to EG4. You can expect...

www.signaturesolar.com

 

[John Frum]

q: will you require a shunt based battery monitor?
a:

 

[newB or not newB]

q: will you require a shunt based battery monitor?
a:

Yes midnite sells a shunt I believe I can run the panels 2S3P and the midnite 150 can handle it according to their calculator

 

[markansas]

E-Panel usually refers to a separate box with all the breakers and bus bars to tie all the DC (and potentially AC) stuff in one place. I use the Midnite Solar E-Panel that was specifically designed to work with my Schneider SW4024 Inverter. In the photo below it is the box in the middle, attached to the left side of the Inverter/Charger. The Battery, SCC, DC loads, AC in (L1,L2, and neutral from the generator) and AC out (L1, L2 and neutral to the main breaker panel) all connect in the E-Panel. It makes everything easier and cleaner to wire, in my opinion.

View attachment 76136

now aint that pretty.. wow

 

[newB or not newB]

What configuration are you planning for the panels?
I think 6s is not possible for a 150 volt solar charge controller.
Which inverter are you planning for?
I think you need a low voltage disconnect of 24 volts minimum.
If the inverter doesn't do that itself then you should use an inverter than supports remote-switching and get a victron smart battery protect.

This battery gives you 50 more amp hours for ~$1000.00 less dollars and has proper over-current protection included.

24V 200AH LiFePower4 Battery by EG4

ADD-ON CHARGER DEAL Get the 40A LIFEPO4 24V Charger for 33% off in cart DESCRIPTION SPECS & MANUAL VIDEOS SHIPPING 24V 200AH LiFePower4 Battery by EG4 THIS IS A PRE-ORDER ITEM WITH A 3-4 WEEK LEAD TIME Signature Solar’s premier lithium battery, GYLL, has been rebranded to EG4. You can expect...

www.signaturesolar.com

Looking at the 3,000 watt Giandel or 3,000 watt Samlex

 

[John Frum]

Looking at the 3,000 watt Giandel or 3,000 watt Samlex

The Samlex PST supports remote switching.
The Giandel does not.
Between the 2 I suggest the Samlex but by the time you add a smart battery protect you are close to the price of a real heavy iron machine like this.

2200 Watt 24V Pure Sine Inverter/Charger | EVO-2224 | Samlex America

2000W 24V Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger with 70A Battery Charger + 40A Transfer Switch. Marine grade, heavy-duty power for rv, boat & off-grid. Lithium compatible.

samlexamerica.com

 

[Jamie.sanders]

The Samlex PST supports remote switching.
The Ginadel does not.
Between the 2 I suggest the Samlex but by the time you add a smart battery protect you are close to the price of a real heavy iron machine like this.

2200 Watt 24V Pure Sine Inverter/Charger | EVO-2224 | Samlex America

2000W 24V Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger with 70A Battery Charger + 40A Transfer Switch. Marine grade, heavy-duty power for rv, boat & off-grid. Lithium compatible.

samlexamerica.com

What’s a smart battery protect? Would the midnite 150 charge controller not do this?

 

[John Frum]

What’s a smart battery protect?

This is a smart battery protect.

Smart BatteryProtect - Victron Energy

Disconnect the battery from non essential loads before it is completely discharged with Victron Energy's Smart BatteryProtect. Find a dealer near you.

www.victronenergy.com

Would the midnite 150 charge controller not do this?

Not unless it has load terminals, generally only the cheapest entry level solar charge controllers have load terminals.

To see how a smart battery protect fits into a system have a look at my system

 

[Jamie.sanders]

The Samlex PST supports remote switching.
The Ginadel does not.
Between the 2 I suggest the Samlex but by the time you add a smart battery protect you are close to the price of a real heavy iron machine like this.

2200 Watt 24V Pure Sine Inverter/Charger | EVO-2224 | Samlex America

2000W 24V Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger with 70A Battery Charger + 40A Transfer Switch. Marine grade, heavy-duty power for rv, boat & off-grid. Lithium compatible.

samlexamerica.com

Well I would disagree.
Samlex 3,000 $895
Victron smart battery connect $116
Total $1,011
Samlex 2200 inverter charger for $1,387
So it cost $286 more and you loose 800 watts of inverter power and if u step up to the 4,000 watt inverter charger your looking at $1,449 dollars or a price difference of $438.00,
The question is is it worth it, then factor in the amp draw and power lost with the 4,000 inverter charger??? Or am I missing stuff, I very well could be, I’m new and trying to learn, lots of info to understand, not trying to argue just looking for information, I don’t know what I don’t know.

 

[Bvillebob]

DonRowe.com has the Samlex EVO 2224 for $1080. It's a big step up in performance and capabilities from the PST series. It has an integrated auto transfer switch, AC and Generator inputs for charging and a built in charger. My 2224 runs my 2 horsepower shop tools without blinking, nice piece of kit. There's a big difference between a solid low frequency inverter and the high frequency units, don't just look at the "max power" rating.