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What do you think of these components for the Caribbean?

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  • What do you think of these components for the Caribbean?

    Hi,

    So, let me start by saying that I need to be totally OFF-GRID, I'm building this thing in the Caribbean (pic) and there's no grid I can connect to. Local "experts" will charge you half the price of the components as installation costs and will either sell you a useless 12v, 2 car batteries system or the full 15 Kw thing with Internet monitoring, no matter there's not even Internet on my tiny portion of the island.

    And here I am just about to pull the trigger on these (without any previous experience on electricity):
    Panels 9 Rene Sola or some other similar brand @250 W
    Inverter - Charger 1 Outback GFX1548 48V 1500W
    Charge Controller 1 MIDNITE CLASSIC 150 MPPT
    Batteries 8 Surrette S-480 6V, 480Ah
    Panel 1 Midnite Solar E-Panel MNE125AL-PLUS Outback
    Combiner 1 MIDNITE MNPV3
    I plan on building a 48 volts system, house needs will be really small around 2.5 Kw per day and no more than 800 Watts at the same time, however I plan on getting one 12,000 BTU's pure DC @48Vs Air Conditioner from these guys: http://www.hotspotenergy.com/ . As you can see there's no generator, that I might get later if really needed.

    So am I building a bomb? Is there anything you see that doesn't make any sense?

    I chose the 1500W inverter mainly because it is sealed and being 800 ft to beach creates a very salty environment also the 3000W one was too expensive, same thing with the Classic I plan on running it sealed. Last but not least I worry about my batteries degrading due to ambient temperature so I'll try my best to keep them safe and cool. Lastly the panels should be receiving 4.5 hours of Sun.

    Thanks for you advice and see you in Holbox, Mexico
    Attached Files
    Last edited by Sajor87; 09-30-2016, 10:34 PM.

  • #2
    I'd say you are possibly a bit short on the minimum current to charge the batteries and get them gassing enough to stir the electrolyte up. Time will tell,
    What is your water supply - what does the pump need for power ? Be aware the classic has 3 high speed cooling turbines, and you may not like the noise if it's exposed to the area you inhabit during prime charging time.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

    Comment


    • #3
      Do you get that impression from the Classic Power Curves? Maybe 3 more panels will do, for a total of 4 strings of 3 panels each. There's a 1,100 liters water tank to fill, I could go for a 48 DC pump but I'm kinda lost there as I am only finding 12 volts pumps. So I'm thinking of centrifugal pump .5 HP rated at .37 kW, not really comfortable with these numbers but at 15 meters should fill at a rate of 60 liters per minute, since it will only be feeling half of the tank each time should be on for about 10 minutes. I think the inverter can handle that extra load for that time.

      Maybe go for the vented form of the classic or go for the outbacks?

      Thanks a lot for your questions

      Comment


      • #4
        > Do you get that impression from the Classic Power Curves
        No, I get that impression from waking down my driveway, 50' away from my battery shed, and I hear the fans on the Midnight Classic.

        For the pumps, look at the pump curves, as head goes up, flow rates go down, I have my pump on both a float switch and a timer, so it only comes on when the sun is generally good. And the AC pump will likely last longer than DC pumps.
        Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
        || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
        || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

        solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
        gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
          > Do you get that impression from the Classic Power Curves
          No, I get that impression from waking down my driveway, 50' away from my battery shed, and I hear the fans on the Midnight Classic.

          For the pumps, look at the pump curves, as head goes up, flow rates go down, I have my pump on both a float switch and a timer, so it only comes on when the sun is generally good. And the AC pump will likely last longer than DC pumps.

          I was referring to your concern of the panels not being able to charge the batteries, thanks for the info on the noise, however I see no other options other than building an external hut just for these equipment, so...

          About the pump, aha! I'm getting a timer right now.

          Thanks!

          Comment


          • #6
            Running the HotSpot 4812vrf you are going to want a generator with battery state auto start. If you allow your batteries to reach 50% each time you use through the night, your batteries will not last long at all. The HotSpot is a good choice for island living. However minimize the amount of space to be air conditioned and double insulate the area. A small sleeping cabin is ideal. Since the HotSpot is a variable speed compressor, it can be programmed to run many different ways. continuous low speed operation or high speed cyclical operation.

            Comment


            • #7
              You might consider the OutBack FlexMax Extreme which is a Sealed CC
              http://outbackpower.com/outback-prod...ategory_id=531
              OutBack FP1 w/ CS6P-250P http://bit.ly/1Sg5VNH

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Logan5 View Post
                Running the HotSpot 4812vrf you are going to want a generator with battery state auto start. If you allow your batteries to reach 50% each time you use through the night, your batteries will not last long at all. The HotSpot is a good choice for island living. However minimize the amount of space to be air conditioned and double insulate the area. A small sleeping cabin is ideal. Since the HotSpot is a variable speed compressor, it can be programmed to run many different ways. continuous low speed operation or high speed cyclical operation.
                Gotcha, the room to cool down is only 130 sq ft and it's totally isolated from the rest of the cabin. Any hint on the model of that generator? I'm thinking 5kw for my battery bank. Thanks!

                Comment


                • Logan5
                  Logan5 commented
                  Editing a comment
                  The EU3000 is nice and quiet, but you are correct a 5kw would offer quicker battery recovery,

              • #9
                Originally posted by ButchDeal View Post
                You might consider the OutBack FlexMax Extreme which is a Sealed CC
                http://outbackpower.com/outback-prod...ategory_id=531
                Breaking the bank already, however this CC and the sealed inverter should give me an extra peace of mind being in a humid and salty environment. Is the Classic really that noisy? This is were I plan on putting everything it will be behind closed doors with ventilation to the outside.
                Attached Files

                Comment


                • ButchDeal
                  ButchDeal commented
                  Editing a comment
                  I have 3 kw with flex max. It rarely has fan on but would more likely in your area. I would keep batteries separate from electronics.

              • #10
                Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
                I'd say you are possibly a bit short on the minimum current to charge the batteries and get them gassing enough to stir the electrolyte up. ....
                Batteries have a minimum charge current spec, and THAT is for getting enough charge current to bubble the electrolyte enough to prevent it from stratifying,
                Your panels will produce 20% less than rated lab test power on the label, So your 2250watts of PV, will produce just 1800w when warmed in the sun,
                At 47V, that's only 38A of current,
                Your batteries at 480ah, would want to see (generally) about 10% of nameplate ah, for charging, to stir the electrolyte, which would be 48A. You are at 8% of nameplate, and if you do not drain your batteries severely, you may be OK, What is your planned daily depth of discharge with your loads ?

                Adding more panels would be a great help, because as any off-gridder can tell you, Loads always Grow,

                Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                Comment


                • Sajor87
                  Sajor87 commented
                  Editing a comment
                  Load will only consume about 20%. Do you think I can make it with 9 or just go for 12 panels!

              • #11
                > Load will only consume about 20%. Do you think I can make it with 9 or just go for 12 panels!

                Loads have nothing to do with the minimum charge current the battery Mfg recommends. Your PV array is on the ragged edge of being able to provide enough current. If you have any appreciable daytime loads, then you WILL have premature battery failure because of improper charging.

                You asked for advice and here it is. Contact the Mfg of the batteries, or look up the data sheet for your self, and see what the minimum charge requirement for the battery is,
                Derate the solar array 20% for normal heat, and maybe another 5% for Caribbean heat, Add your daytime load demands, and then see what size PV array you need, I know it's going to be larger then 9 panels,
                Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                Comment

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