Questions about an adopted off-grid system (with pics)

[ron_jeremy]

I sent a solar panel supplier (cdnsolar.ca) a link to this thread, asking for a price quote, etc. I have copy/pasted their reply below.

The negative and positive inverter cables are too far apart one is on the top and one is on the bottom. They should be together (you may not even have a negative terminal block inside the inverter) which you should have.

2. You have flooded open batteries (giving off hydrogen gas) without a hermetically sealed box and proper ventilation, they are dangerously very close to possible sources of ignition like the breakers in your system and your generator.

THERE IS A VERY HIGH RISK OF EXPLOSION. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ADD MORE SOLAR.

3. The DC wire from the battery to controller doesn't have a breaker. It needs one!

4. Is there a DC disconnect directly after the solar??

We are worried that the only thing that has saved your system up until this point is the lack of solar panels. The wiring needs to be done safely and the batteries need to be housed properly before you proceed with any upgrades.

Are they on point with everything they said? We had the region's biggest solar player out here last year & they did not mention any of these potential issues -- they just wanted to sell/install their panels.

Also, does anyone know of a competent installer or consultant in the Vancouver, BC area? I just need some good advice at this point.

[jflorey2]

Are they on point with everything they said?

Pretty good advice.

1) Routing cables together reduces EMI and inductance, which helps both inverter and other devices in your home (like radios.)
2) Yes, always a good idea to put flooded batteries in a box vented to the outside. Box should be made of acid-safe material like polypropylene.
3) Every line from the battery needs protection (fuse or breaker.)
4) DC disconnect is a very good idea. Imagine trying to deal with a problem with your charge controller with no way to disconnect power.

[ron_jeremy]

4) DC disconnect is a very good idea. Imagine trying to deal with a problem with your charge controller with no way to disconnect power.

Thx for the input.

Regarding Point # 4:

There's a DC disconnect on the wall to the right of the solar charger. It has 2 large cables going to the battery bank (opposite ends of the bank).
There's 4 cables coming out of the solar charger:
- 2 black cables that go to the same battery posts as the aforementioned DC disconnect cables
- a red cable + a black cable that go behind the battery box but I can't see where they go; am guessing they go to the solar panels.

Is that the DC disconnect you mentioned, or do we require another one?

[jflorey2]

Is that the DC disconnect you mentioned, or do we require another one?

That big disconnect is the inverter disconnect/breaker. At minimum you want a switch on the charge controller input (so you can shut it down) and a fuse or breaker between the charge controller and the battery (to protect against fire.)