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
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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 -
Originally posted by terracore View PostMaybe I'm missing something but wouldn't the 12/24 question be answered by the inverter you wish to use?
Originally posted by Mike90250 View PostA 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
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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Originally posted by SolarSteve View PostOne 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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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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Originally posted by SolarSteve View Post
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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Originally posted by SunEagle View Post
I use 60Amp Anderson connectors to "plug in" my 600W PSW inverter. Much better that using a wire terminal strip.Comment
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Originally posted by bcroe View PostAndersons are not water tight, but they get a lot of low voltage use around here. Bruce Roe
Example you can buy an Environmental Boots, or Spec Pack Sealed Connectors.
MSEE, PEComment
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Originally posted by Sunking View PostThat it is not entirely accurate. Perhaps you are not familiar with Anderson product line?
Example you can buy an Environmental Boots, or Spec Pack Sealed Connectors.
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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Originally posted by bcroe View Post
Right, there are more options being added that I haven't kept up with. However the basic product
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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Originally posted by bcroe View Post
Right, there are more options being added that I haven't kept up with. However the basic product
line (that I first used in 1964) had no provision for shedding water.
Show us the water resistant 90A connector. Bruce Roe
MSEE, PEComment
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Originally posted by Sunking View PostOK they go from 5 to 260 amps
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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