need help sourcing correct components

[Mcmullen7242]

it's a 300w inverter with a 600w surge for 10 min rating. Not quite enough to start a fridge, but it will do a lot of other work.

Thanks but I'm definitely going to need at least 750 watt inverter, 1kw preferably. Because two Xbox ones and two TVs will be 400watts altogether plus 2 fans, and phone chargers. If I did the 2kw one can't I just turn it off at night when not in use and I won't waste any energy?

[Mike90250]

Absolutely shut the inverter down if there are no loads. Some inverters have a "search" function, they go into deep sleep, low power mode, and wake enough every couple of seconds to see if a load (light switch, fridge thermostat) has appeared and then goes back to sleep.

[Mcmullen7242]

Thanks! And someone just posted this inverter near me for a good deal and just want to get your opinion before I go out tomorrow or the next day and pick everything up.

https://www.amazon.com/WZRELB-Power-...a-687980662501

and then 8 Sony panels I posted before, 4 of the agm batteries

[NochiLife]

Regarding the cheap "MPPT" charger, I found a listing for the exact same "MPPT" on eBay. And they clearly state in the subtitle, "Simple MPPT, Not high-end, No Inductance"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-24V-30-50-70A-MPPT-Solar-Charge-Controller-Panel-Battery-Regulator-Dual-USB/142925657679

In the description:

Note：

This controller is the MPPT solar controller, which is the new manufacturer that has been tested in batches in recent months! ! !

The shape of the controller is the same as the previous PWM controller but the function is different. Please mind carefully.

It is suggested that the customer ask us for the product manual before placing the order to make sure whether it is the MPPT controller they need. If you are not satisfied with it, please do not buy it.

This product is a simple MPPT controller, the price is cheap, not high-end multifunctional MPPT controller, please think twice before purchase!

As pointed out, the other charge controller you found DOES have toroids ("inductors"); your mileage may vary.

Regarding the WZRELB inverter...some reviews on YouTube of their 8KW model indicate that it is a lot better than some other ones. Again, I have no experience with it.

[littleharbor]

If you do get this controller I'd be real curious to find out if it does, in fact, boost the incoming amperage . The VOC limit of 50 volts leaves me wondering being that most 72 cell (24 volt nominal) PV panels have a VOC of approx. 45 volts at 25 degrees Celsius. Add cold weather to the equation and you have magic smoke, not magic MPPT.

[Mcmullen7242]

https://www.amazon.com/Morningstar-T...ws_feature_div

would this charger work with the 8-170 watt Sony panels?

[Glock24]

https://www.amazon.com/Morningstar-T...ws_feature_div

would this charger work with the 8-170 watt Sony panels?

Here's a nice tool from Morningstar to check the best way to connect your panels to the charge controller you want:

http://string-calculator.morningstarcorp.com/

It'll tell you if your configuration is appropriate.

[Mike90250]

The Tristar MPPT 45 is a great controller. The Tristar MPPT 60 is even better because it got a great web interface for monitoring the system. And it handles 60A output.

MPPT controllers are rated at output amps, so their PV capacity changes as your battery voltage changes:

Using 1360 watts:
12V 113A
24V 56A
48V 28A
All the same PV array & controller, but different battery voltages.

And of course, the MFG's sizing chart is the final say.
For most conversion efficiency, 2x battery voltage is pretty good. But you may need higher voltage for long distance PV cable runs for less loss. It's all tradeoffs

[NochiLife]

If you do get this controller I'd be real curious to find out if it does, in fact, boost the incoming amperage . The VOC limit of 50 volts leaves me wondering being that most 72 cell (24 volt nominal) PV panels have a VOC of approx. 45 volts at 25 degrees Celsius. Add cold weather to the equation and you have magic smoke, not magic MPPT.

I guess I didn't clarify my comments when posting the eBay listing--it is NOT an MPPT. They're just hijacking the term to get hits or purchases--with them admitting that it has "no inductance", it's a PWM charger.

Mcmullen7242 I personally have a Morningstar Tristar TS-MPPT-60. You won't go wrong with a Morningstar product, though they can be a little pricey. They will work with ANY solar panels (unless there's some ridiculously high voltage panels I haven't heard of!) Like Mike90250 pointed out, the question is how to wire your panels up to stay within the required MPPT input voltage range (above your battery voltage, and less than the 150VOC maximum), and keep losses to a minimum. Fanless design is really nice--they are so efficient that there is no cooling fan. Mine has never gotten too hot to touch.

MPPT controllers are rated at output amps, so their PV capacity changes as your battery voltage changes:

Using 1360 watts:
12V 113A
24V 56A
48V 28A
All the same PV array & controller, but different battery voltages.

Please note that all charge controllers have a maximum output current...if you got the 45A version, that's the OUTPUT current.
To try to elaborate on Mike90250's response:
If you have 1,360W of panels, that's dandy. However, if you have a 24v system, (1360W / 24v) = 56A. That means that you would either need TWO of the 45A MPPTs (or one 60A MPPT).
With the same 1,360W of panels and a 48v system, (1360W / 48v) = 28A--you'd be just fine with just the one 45A unit.

The reason I went with 48vDC on my system was because of how much those MPPT's cost--and at 48vDC, I only needed one 60A unit.

[littleharbor]

[QUOTE=NochiLife;n401586]
They will work with ANY solar panels (unless there's some ridiculously high voltage panels I haven't heard of!)



Funny you would mention that. I came across this this morning. Series wiring not necessary

Optisolar 365 watt panels 510 volts.jpg

[NochiLife]

[QUOTE=littleharbor;n401600]

They will work with ANY solar panels (unless there's some ridiculously high voltage panels I haven't heard of!)



Funny you would mention that. I came across this this morning. Series wiring not necessary

Optisolar 365 watt panels 510 volts.jpg

I feel lucky to have put a caveat on that statement after your find . Goodness, what in the world! You'd have to get the 600v Morningstar MPPT to use THAT one.

[littleharbor]

[QUOTE=NochiLife;n401602]

I feel lucky to have put a caveat on that statement after your find . Goodness, what in the world! You'd have to get the 600v Morningstar MPPT to use THAT one.

Notice it has a Maximum system voltage of 600 volts yet IF you were to series wire two of them you'd be looking at 1020+ Voc.

[Mike90250]

[QUOTE=littleharbor;n401600]

They will work with ANY solar panels (unless there's some ridiculously high voltage panels I haven't heard of!)



Funny you would mention that. I came across this this morning. Series wiring not necessary

That's a thin film panel, and only good for 5 years, maybe

[Mcmullen7242]

Thank you guys for all the info, I am picking up the last of the things I need tomorrow and then getting to installing. Really appreciate all the help, learned a lot

[Mcmullen7242]

So I picked up everything. 6 of the Sharp panels in photo. A 1500w pure sine wave 24v. 4 agm 12v 120ah batteries. And a Tristar 45a control charger. I just need some help gathering the right wires and cables.
I used the Morningstar website and plugged in my panels and the controller I use and they told me to have the 6 panels in parallel. Is that correct? Also what size wires and connectors do I need to hook them up together and to get to the controller?
also I looked up a chart for what cables I need from the battery to charger and it said to go with a gauge that can handle the max amp of the charger so that would be 11 gauge according to the chart.
and then what would I need from the battery to the inverter?
i looked up a battery chart on how to get my batteries wired up so I got that down but is there a certain gauge cables I need or just any battery cables?