My tiny project in sunny Ecuador

[DeltaFox 25]

It's nice to hear from you. I have decided to start over in making my panels. I'm going to use nothing but 5"x5" solar cell's and I'm going to make 72 cell panel's. Good luck to you and keep in touch

[ecusolar]

Update: Still raining but I'm also busy with other stuff, might install all at the end of this month.

I will re-iniciate the project as soon as rain stops.

Joe

[DeltaFox 25]

Real good .We have more cold weather then snow. I was born here and back then we had alot of snow. I wish I could move to a warmer place. I had the batterys set up for 24 volts but when I red the inverter book It said it could only take 12 volts so now I hav eto change things around. I'm re wiring the panels and I have got new fuses and holder. Take care

[ecusolar]

Hi Wayne my friend.

Hope all is good on your side, I saw a lot of snow storms in TV in USA.

I have all stuff stored and wait for the right moment to install it.

Meanwhile I was busy to make likker, whisky, Vodka and Rum.

That is a very nice hobby and maybe a future biz.

Of course the water pump for cooling the condensers is solar powered.

Heat is propane powered as it's so cheap here.

Wish you all the best.

Joe

Hello ecusolar Haven't heard from you in a lond time. Nice to see you again. I have slowed down alot now waiting untill it gets a little warmer here.

[DeltaFox 25]

Hello ecusolar Haven't heard from you in a lond time. Nice to see you again. I have slowed down alot now waiting untill it gets a little warmer here.

[ecusolar]

Hi Jason

I still didn't receive all the stuff I need yet, we also are in heavy raining and carnaval season now (lot of work in the hotel).

I will re-iniciate the project as soon as rain stops.

Joe

[Jason]

Hey Ecusolar, how are things coming along with your panels??

Hope all is well.

[DeltaFox 25]

yes I know how it is with the new year shipping. Things are very slow. I need to order some new cell's but I'm going to waite awhile.

[ecusolar]

Just want to bump up my last post (no comments?), I'm still waiting for some stuff from USA that didn't arrive yet due to the x-mas overload.

[ecusolar]

System design 1KW DIY

I just finished my wire plan for my little system.



One of the most important parts is the Morningstar Relay Driver which will switch the 4 panels used normally for the grid tied inverter to the other 14 panels if the battery has less than 50% charge, once it reaches 60% of charge it will connect again to the grid inverter.
Also it manages to disconnect the loads from the inverter if the battery charge is below 50% and connect the loads to the genpac or to the utility grid, depends what's available.

May some wise specialists look at it if it's correct wired?

Add: Can I use the 12V charge from the generator to connect it via relay to the Xantrex TS60 controller to charge the batteries or should I connect it direct to the batteries?

I guess that I have to use a 12V sub relay to switch the AC loads

Thanks in advance
Joe

[DeltaFox 25]

I watched the video and It was very good. i have seen a guy that has used several inverters roof his project.

I lay my cells on the glass. blue side facing the glass , I solder all the wiring and then around the edges of the hole panel I put PV 804 . It's a special silicone for solar panels. Then I pore the sylgard over the top of the cells and use a brush to help move it around.You have to have the outer edges covered with the silicone so the sylgard does not run off the glass.

I might try useing some special tape and cover every open space you have between the cells and then pore the sylgard over it. I'm just goofing around with the 6x6's but I just had to try.
There is some where I heard that some one did put some panels in series and some in parallel. You can do that to battery's. This moves up the voltage. Form 12 volts to 24 volts.


I just looked the guy up on a link i had and there were 21 inverters

[ecusolar]

enphase techs

Wayne, how do you glue the cells to the buttom?

I personally find 6x6 cells a little unhandy for DIY projects and will stay with 3X6 cells.

I'm reading actually about enphase inverters as we might want to add 2 to 3 solar KW during 2010 which will be grid tied.

For my personal use they have some advantages as I'm reading till now, starting with the shipping weight, also you can add steadily the quantity of panels you want.

They have a compatibility list and of course there are no DIY panels listed but I'm thinking of using 4 60W panels two connected parralel and two assambles connected in serie.

I'm not sure if this can be done but would be a very good solution.

Here is a link to how enphase works, don't miss to see the enlightning software video. http://www.enphaseenergy.com/product...howitworks.cfm

You have a great thing going there.

I can't wait untill summer so I can get to work on my solar more. I'm haveing trouble with the 6"x6" panel with the cells there .Some are braking while in the frame I have . I can't buy any more so It will have to do.

Wayne

[DeltaFox 25]

You have a great thing going there.

I can't wait untill summer so I can get to work on my solar more. I'm haveing trouble with the 6"x6" panel with the cells there .Some are braking while in the frame I have . I can't buy any more so It will have to do.

Wayne

[ecusolar]

Yeah that's mine, it's a restaurant with 200 seats, another air conditioned building for seminars, parties etc. and some single or family cabins.

We have plenty space here to do additional things, my house is in the same property.

My wife manages the hosteria while I'm busy with other biz.

That looks real nice. I think being by the sea and all the fresh seafood would be nice. Do you own this restruant and motell?

It would be nice just to get away from this cold weather where solar panels work right.

Thanks for the picture. Wayne

[DeltaFox 25]

That looks real nice. I think being by the sea and all the fresh seafood would be nice. Do you own this restruant and motell?

It would be nice just to get away from this cold weather where solar panels work right.

Thanks for the picture. Wayne