Aussie newb

[Zeb]

Hi All,

I've bought some gear to put on the shed, just to run a few lights etc anyway I'm really
Not sure if what I've got can be used successfully together so any help would be great!!
Here's what I have

2 of these http://www.acosolar.com/hanwha-solar...lar-panel-poly

4 of these http://www.apcrbc.com.au/pdf/CT12-140X.pdf

1 of these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Clearout-...3dd1e90&_uhb=1

Cheers guys

[russ]

Hi Aussie Zeb - Welcome to Solar Panel Talk! We used to have a moderator (long back) by the name of Aussie Bob.

Russ

[inetdog]

OK.

You did not specify the battery voltage, but since the Voc of your panels is all the way up at 37V, you will have to be using a 24V battery system. And even then, in cold weather the Voc of the panel may exceed the 40V limit of the CC, causing it to be damaged.
The input voltage range of this MPPT CC is ludicrously small, since even a normal 12V battery panel will have a Vmp of around 18V and a Voc which is much higher (>20V).
I have not seen that particular brand of solar CC, but at the minimum bid price you still may not have gotten fair value.

The panels look OK, being GT type panels, with a high voltage (high number of cells) configuration.

The batteries are not really deep discharge cycle batteries. (The rated cycle life of less than 1000 cycles of 30% DOD strongly suggests that.) More likely their primary application was for use in UPS systems that stay on float and are used only a few times per year, with deep discharge at high current.
Four batteries will have to be placed in two parallel series strings of two batteries to get to 24V.
500W of PV is about right for a 24V 280AH battery bank, depending, of course, on what your daily energy consumption will be and the number of sun hours you get.
If you do not have a strong reason to use AGM, you would be better off with FLA batteries, especially for your first set which most people destroy early.

You have not indicated what kind of inverter you plan to use, and that will depend more on what your calculated loads are than the size of the other components in the system.
Maybe some others will have more observations.

[Zeb]

Thanks for your quick and detailed response!

Im really just trying to get this system up and
Running as good as it can with the stuff i have
Which so far has been relatively cheap... Hmm
Well (some is second hand etc) i guess the CC
Is no good so whatever you recommend i will get
The inverter i have is this

http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/191323007265?cmd=VIDESC&gxo=true

I guess i need to get a 24 volt one?
Again whatever you suggest would be great!!
The batteries are 12 volt but have screw in terminals
I have stainless bolts that fit but should i get brass ones??
Anyway ive been reading your forums and trying
To get it all worked out thanks for your awesome help
So far !!
Cheers zeb

[inetdog]

Thanks for your quick and detailed response!

Im really just trying to get this system up and
Running as good as it can with the stuff i have
Which so far has been relatively cheap... Hmm
Well (some is second hand etc) i guess the CC
Is no good so whatever you recommend i will get
The inverter i have is this

http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/191323007265?cmd=VIDESC&gxo=true

I guess i need to get a 24 volt one?
Again whatever you suggest would be great!!
The batteries are 12 volt but have screw in terminals
I have stainless bolts that fit but should i get brass ones??
Anyway ive been reading your forums and trying
To get it all worked out thanks for your awesome help
So far !!
Cheers zeb

Well, on the subject of inverters, you generally do not want to go above (or even as high as a 1kW inverter on a 12V system because of the high battery currents that the inverter will draw when delivering peak AC power.
One way to be relatively confident of getting a good inverter, if maybe not always the best one for a particular need, is to go to the website of the sponsor of this forum, http://www.solartown.com .