I'm looking for a switch to turn off my solar panels from inside my cabin. The power coming in will be max, 70 volts and 12 amps. The highest DC switch I can find is 60 volts, most only go up to 48v. I have a Midnite solar combiner at the panels with breakers, but I also want a switch inside to kill the power between the panels and charge controller if needed. Is there a good option out there without going with a solar breaker box and a high voltage DC breaker? Would a 60v marine master switch do the trick?
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Looking for switch, ~70v DC, 12 amps
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Not to hijack, but I am also looking for roughly the same thing. In my case, I could see up to 85V on cold mornings.
For the short-term, I only have 1x36V Panel hooked up going through this breaker rated to 32V. I have hooked up both panels in series and saw ~70V for a short time and it also worked ok. Not sure how the higher voltage will affect the life of the breaker or if it could cause a dangerous situation over time though.
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SPFycool, I don't think you want to do that. Sounds like you are looking for circuit protection and a switch. I'm strictly looking for a switch, I have the correct circuit protection at my panels. If you are using a breaker rated at too low of a voltage, it may not work like it should. If I understand it correctly, the higher voltage may be able to jump the gap if it trips, not even allow it to trip, or possibly start a fire during a trip. Midnite solar makes the proper breakers. I believe they are rated to 100v DC and they have whatever current you need. I was trying to get anyway from another breaker box and breaker with a simple switch.Comment
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Midnight solar has low cost ($22) 150VDC switch duty rated breakers, You can get a panel mount version that could install in a simple metal box, but you have to cut a retangular hole for the breaker toggle. Sometimes paying the price for the right box is cheaper
I would not use 32V gear on a 60v application, it's sure to cause arcing and then at some point - failure. DC is what arc welders use, and the switches & breakers are designed with an arc chute to assist blowing the arc out.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-ListerComment
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Originally posted by Mike90250 View PostMidnight solar has low cost ($22) 150VDC switch duty rated breakers, You can get a panel mount version that could install in a simple metal box, but you have to cut a retangular hole for the breaker toggle. Sometimes paying the price for the right box is cheaper
I would not use 32V gear on a 60v application, it's sure to cause arcing and then at some point - failure. DC is what arc welders use, and the switches & breakers are designed with an arc chute to assist blowing the arc out.SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.Comment
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If you're looking for a non switching/isoation isconnect type setup, you could use a small SqD panel and breaker. Therrated to 125VDC, but you might as well go with Midnite products, since it's probably less expensive.Comment
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