A very small system can use 12V. Once your loads start to increase (and they always seem to) the 24V system will look better and better
Wire gauge advice request!
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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 -
Pretty much everything important I have in hand (system + appliances) can run either 12v or 24v, therefore I can switch it around if need be. However, a number of smaller things drawing electricity off of the system are 12v and new needs are more likely to be 12v only. Even though the solutions for these things aren't complicated or expensive, if I can avoid another layer of stuff to buy and eventually replace that would be ideal.
Unless there's some reason 12v is not a good idea for my particular panel, distance, wire gauge, etc. setup then I'm thinking 12v @210Ah is the way to go for my batteries.
SteveComment
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If you are set on 12V, get a rock solid inverter like the Morningstar Suresine 300 (600w surge for 10 min)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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One final question. I couldn't find anybody that makes a MC4 connector to fit 6AGW. I guess not too surprising. Anybody see any problems with this proposed work around?
1. Purchase Y extensions, tie two panels together, snip the connector off of the single leg side
2. Tie the snipped ends of the two Y extensions to the 6AGW ends inside a weather proof junction box
3. On the controller side, land the 6AGW into a cuttoff box and run leads from the box to the controller
SteveComment
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One final question. I couldn't find anybody that makes a MC4 connector to fit 6AGW. I guess not too surprising. Anybody see any problems with this proposed work around?
1. Purchase Y extensions, tie two panels together, snip the connector off of the single leg side
2. Tie the snipped ends of the two Y extensions to the 6AGW ends inside a weather proof junction box
3. On the controller side, land the 6AGW into a cuttoff box and run leads from the box to the controller
SteveComment
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Thanks!
SteveComment
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Heh... well, sorta! It's not a 6 AGW MC4 connector, which is what I was looking for, but a two part solution. Didn't think to look for something like that, so big thanks for pointing me too it. Better than a homemade solution for sure. It also addresses BackwoodsEE's point about making sure the joining connection between the two is solid. This will work great!
Thanks!
SteveComment
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Good to know. I'll make sure it's locked up tight in a water tight box because it will be exposed to the elements.
SteveComment
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line (that I first used in 1964) had no provision for shedding water.
Show us the water resistant 90A connector. Bruce RoeComment
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You are correct the standard Anderson fittings are not water tight. I do have rubber boots but they are used when I have unplugged the two ends to keep anything from shorting out the terminals.Comment
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That looks like they took the basic product and created a waterproof cover for them.
Here the very basic type solves all sorts of medium current connect problems. Quite affordable, foolproof
polarization, and genderless. 50A and 175A sizes cover my 12V motorized stuff. Bruce Roe
Anderson50A.pngComment
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