New Sanyo solar system

[Ionelissy]

Hi everyone,

my question is:

can I use 10x Sanyo HIT 250w(35v/7amp) with 2x Outback FM80 controllers (5 panels on each controller) and both controllers connected to a 12v battery bank?

thanks.

[Sunking]

No any more questions?

Why on earth would you even consider a 12 volt system at 2500 watts? At 2500 watts demands a 48 volt system. With a 80 amp MPPT controller the power limit input is dictated by battery voltage:

12 volts @ 1000 watts
24 volts @ 2000 watts
48 volts @ 4000 watts.

To do what you want takes 3 controllers, the two you have now plus a 3rd 40 amp unit you need to buy. Copper cable cost will break your bank account. Smart money is to sell one of your 80 amp controllers, and run 48 volts.

[Ionelissy]

No any more questions?

Why on earth would you even consider a 12 volt system at 2500 watts? At 2500 watts demands a 48 volt system. With a 80 amp MPPT controller the power limit input is dictated by battery voltage:

12 volts @ 1000 watts
24 volts @ 2000 watts
48 volts @ 4000 watts.

To do what you want takes 3 controllers, the two you have now plus a 3rd 40 amp unit you need to buy. Copper cable cost will break your bank account. Smart money is to sell one of your 80 amp controllers, and run 48 volts.

I did not buy the controllers yet.... but I read on their website that the FM80 can handle 12v/1250w of solar panels...., question is, can an FM80 controller linked to 5x 250w panels(1250w total) charge a 12v battery bank? if not, why not please?

I consider a 12v battery bank because I have a 12v/100amp charger that I plan to hook to the battery bank to charge the batteries on cloudy days... thanks

[Sunking]

1250 would be putting a lot of stress on the controller causing it to reduce output. It can be done but you sacrifice 250 watts of power on bright summer days with the sun overhead. 80 amps x 12.5 volts = 1000 watts is the explanation you are looking for.

If you are going to run that much power at 12 volts, I am going call my stock broker to put in a BUY order for copper mining stocks. Ever hear of 750 MCM cable? You will need to buy a lot of it and it cost about $10/foot. Good luck with that and finding tools to terminate it with.

[Ionelissy]

1250 would be putting a lot of stress on the controller causing it to reduce output. It can be done but you sacrifice 250 watts of power on bright summer days with the sun overhead. 80 amps x 12.5 volts = 1000 watts is the explanation you are looking for.

If you are going to run that much power at 12 volts, I am going call my stock broker to put in a BUY order for copper mining stocks. Ever hear of 750 MCM cable? You will need to buy a lot of it and it cost about $10/foot. Good luck with that and finding tools to terminate it with.

thanks for all the info, then I can give up 2 panels and have 4x 250w connected to each FM80 controller?

or, I should sell my 12v/100amp charger and get a 24v charger for a 24v bank system which I can use with only 1 controller?

[Mike90250]

Before you start selling and buying, let's step back and find out what you have, and what you want to do with it.

A 12V 100A charger, or a 24V 50A or 48V 25A charger, all consume/produce the same amount of power.

What will power the charger ? power cord to utility grid ? Generator ?

You already have these panels ?

What is the stored battery power going to power ? modified sine wave, or pure sine wave?

Maybe look into a RV type, 24 or 48V inverter/charger with a good power factor on the charger half.

Trying to run a large inverter off a 12V system, is generally, going to be more expensive with the 100A copper wire you need, battery terminals melted off, destroyed batteries and such. (And needing 2 FM 80 controller$$ instead of just 1)

[ recent add from a generator forum:
They have changed these inverters. I blew two up, I believe Fab has blown a couple. It says they will take 34 volts, but they don't. They measure the voltage bogus and the volt meter on the inverter will show it higher than what it really is.

Edit: Let me put this a different way. There's Chinese volts and kilowatts and American volts and kilowatts. The two are not the same. These "5,000 watt" inverters weigh about 30 lbs. My Xantrex SW Plus units are only 4,000w but they will put out 4x the power and they weigh 300+. ]

[TnAndy]

I did not buy the controllers yet.... but I read on their website that the FM80 can handle 12v/1250w of solar panels...., question is, can an FM80 controller linked to 5x 250w panels(1250w total) charge a 12v battery bank? if not, why not please?

I consider a 12v battery bank because I have a 12v/100amp charger that I plan to hook to the battery bank to charge the batteries on cloudy days... thanks

What do you plan to use for an inverter ( assuming you do ? ). You know most battery based inverters ( Like Outback ) are CHARGER/INVERTERS, right ? You don't need a separate charger to use with a generator.

On the FlexMax charge controllers:

If you look at the Outback website, http://www.outbackpower.com/products...llers/flexmax/, you'll see the FM80 will take 1250w name plate STC rated panels, BUT to meet NEC requirements, the max is 1000w.