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  • 48V COSUPER inverter/charger setup

    Hello, I new to solar and sorry in advance for the questions coming!

    We have a 48V battery bank, four 12V 80 amp/h, 800 CCA, batteries in series. We have the Cosuper 3000W, 48V charger/inverter, 60amp mppt controller. Currently have six 100w, 18V, 5.5 amps solar panels currently set up in 2 banks of 3 for perfect world of 54V and 11 amps going to the solar charger. This is for an off grid system, which we have generator power for, and the inverter is also able to charge the batteries when needed. (our current needs are around 1.5Kw - 2.2 Kw but plan on expanding in future with more panels) So here comes my questions:

    1: The inverter manual is bad, so I can't find what input voltage would work best on setting up our panels. The batteries and inverter/charger are 48v, so I am assuming we need more then 54V for input to the charger and it will bring that voltage down 48v and increase amps for charging batteries. But what would my best set up be, all six in series, 3 banks of 2?

    2: We also have another 150w panel, no hooked up and plan on getting a second 150w panel. Becuase this panel is 12v and 12.5 amps, different from out 100w panels. Can we hook either one or both of these up to our current inverter/charger and what set up could we use? Or would be need another solar charger for these since they are difference voltage amps? I know if we hooked up with the 100w, which ever set up had lower amps, is what the system would put out and we would loose that power. So I might answer my own question and say we need another controller for these, but any help on how you can wire two solar chargers together when one of ours is the inverter/charger in one. So has our batteries and solar panels both connect right to the chrager/inverter, where in line would our second solar charger go?

    3: We also would like to put in two battery monitors, one to measure what our solar is putting out, and one to tell us what our batteries are getting. Where would these be wired in line? Thanks for any help.


  • #2
    What is the model ## cosuper?

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    • #3
      • Cosuper SPS3000-48M

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      • #4
        48V batteries & controllers need at least 65V from the solar on a hot day, so you may need the PV wired to 75 or 80V. If you have a real MPPT controller, you may need 90V to get into the efficient operating range.

        Automotive starting batteries (with CCA spec) are poor choices for off grid, they do not withstand long periods of discharge and a short fully charged period.

        For a 48V system, you have a very small battery and solar, coupled with a huge inverter. The most your system can sustain is about a 500w inverter. the internal losses of a 3Kw inverter will usually be quite high.

        Before buying any more stuff, you need to work out a power budget and see what you should be aiming for, not just getting things because some sales man has a good haircut.

        Start here:
        https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...ng-gen-support
        and then here:
        https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...s-why-tutorial

        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
          Hi, thanks for that! We do plan on doubling size of pv and battery bank, as to why we went with this inverter. But for the rest of this year this is what we have and generator does most of work now. ( its a cottage we only use spring to fall so June to October) . Our max load requirements will be around 2.5kw/h a day for 2-3 hours .

          any chance you can answer how to wire a meter with shunt from our panels to inverter charger? Because it's a combo unit, I'm not 100% sure how. Would the negative line from pv run to shunt and then to negative line to inverter for pv. The positive line of meter just run to positive terminal of battery? Thx

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          • #6
            Also the battery is a marine deep cycle battery, but it lists the 800 cca for some reason. Purchased at tsc , not automotive starting batteries.

            Comment


            • #7
              Wiring a meter & shunt, is not how you've described . There should be instructions and schematic with the meter you get. Many meters come with their own shunt, others, you have to buy a shunt.

              That's why I like clamp on DC amp meters. you don't have to break into any wiring to use them. They start around $90. Be sure they measure DC AMPS, a marketing ploy is to trick the unwary with words, that it measures AC volts & amps & DC
              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


              • #8
                Originally posted by Johnny123 View Post
                Also the battery is a marine deep cycle battery, but it lists the 800 cca for some reason. Purchased at tsc , not automotive starting batteries.
                The "marine deep cycle" batteries sold at the big box stores are not true deep cycle batteries. They are a hybrid. A compromise between starting and deep cycle.

                On a budget you may want to look at GC2 golf cart batteries. They are the best bang for your buck if they fit your application.

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                • #9
                  That's good to know. I was wondering why they never put the amp hours on it , only cca even though being a deep cycle marine.

                  would you use a 12v or 24v system with a 1000w solar system and 1000w inverter? Thanks

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    What is your usual load on the inverter ? Can you supply the load with 2 batteries, or do you need 4 ? 1kw is generally tops with 12V, after that, 24v becomes more feasable, but each install is different with different load profiles.
                    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


                    • #11
                      IMHO: 1000 watts is on the high end for a 12 volt system. I would lean strongly towards a 24 volt system.

                      If you went 12 volt and then decide to add capacity you may find yourself having to upgrade to 24 volt at additional expense.

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                      • #12
                        Max load will be 1000watt/hours with the coffee maker but only for short period of time. May even run geny when using that. But all other times max load is around 750watt/hours for about 2-3 hours a day.

                        Only reason we like the 12v is because we have a 150w panel and rest are 100w, so have a separate controller for it, and it's 12v. But we probably won't go over 750w pv now.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Johnny123 View Post
                          Max load will be 1000watt/hours with the coffee maker but only for short period of time. May even run geny when using that. But all other times max load is around 750watt/hours for about 2-3 hours a day.

                          Only reason we like the 12v is because we have a 150w panel and rest are 100w, so have a separate controller for it, and it's 12v. But we probably won't go over 750w pv now.
                          other times max load is around 750wh x 3 hours = 2250wh . To achieve that and keep batteries marginally healthy, you need 4 Golf Cart batteries, wired for 24V, with a total capacity of about 4560wih
                          Or 2 L-16's, but now you are into serious $






                          BatteryWattHourCapacity.jpg
                          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


                          • #14
                            Mike..... Are you buying Trojan L-16's for $225?

                            If so, could you share your source?

                            The least expensive L-16's I have found are Duracell for $280. I suspect that the Trojan is a notably better battery.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              The prices are about 3 years old, that's a screen shot of a spreadsheet. $330 Trojan L16RE-A 325 AH Deep Cycle Battery, 6 volt, is the price I show today
                              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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