CS6P-200 Canadian Solar PV / Xantrex C40 project - Page 4

Xringer · 03-07-11, 02:35 PM

Most of my hot water comes from running the oil burner about 1/2 hour a day.
It runs about 7AM for 30 minutes, on the timer.

When it's sunny, the two 200w panels (1365 BTU Max) add a little extra BTU to the water..
If I can get two more panels, I'll have up to 2730 BTUh of extra heat..

The power is fed into a big 10 ohm resistor.

It's in the firebox clean-out. (The fire box (above the resistor) has been filled with FG insulation).

When (if) I can get two more panels connected, the voltage will be doubled.
So, I'll reconfigure the resistor bank to 20 ohms..

Right now, it sunny and the resistor is being heated with 420 watts from the Canadian Solar panels.

~~~

PV has got to be one of the most expensive way to heat water..
Here's some posts about PVHW
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-...eat-water.html

Unless you can buy PV for cheap money, or you already have PV that isn't being used, you should look into other methods.
Maybe a heat pump water heater? Then you could use PV to power it.?.

The government can do it, because they get their PV for free.. It's all paid for by suckers (AKA the taxpayers)!

BFRL: Solar Photovoltaic Hot Water System

techhi · 03-07-11, 04:29 PM

thanks for the speedy reply
I'm also in the process of getting 6 "Canadian" panels my "best offer" is in and hope he goes for it. in addition I got 2 x 120 and 2 x 100 watt panels but split Poly/ mono and on the front of my house I want them all to be the same Look
I may try to pole mount the 2 monos south since my house faces SE

It's only my wife and myself so we don't use a lot of energy
less then $80 a month give or take

Thanks for the info just in the planning buying process

Tom

Xringer · 03-07-11, 04:45 PM

Since you are in the area, you might be able to pick them up and save some shipping.
One member has done it. Of course you will need a truck or other hauler.

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-....html#post9278

The SnakeTray boss has been down in Australia and should be back tomorrow,
so we might hear from them within the next few days.
I had an offer in and in expired, so I will have to resubmit it pretty soon, if I get good news.

techhi · 03-07-11, 05:14 PM

Thanks for the heads up
no need to keep checking my email this evening if he's away
I have a 6 panel offer in and if I could talk/email the seller may try for 8.
I started off just wanting a few panels but I want them all to be the same
I'm about 150 miles away

Xringer · 03-07-11, 07:14 PM

I think these 200W panels are of good quality and would be great with Enphase inverters or other GTIs.
(That have the right voltage input range).

I'm trying to get 2 panels more for the price I paid for the 1st two last year.
They aren't moving a lot of these, so I might get lucky again.

I would love to have 8 of these (1.6kW)! But, I really don't have a good place to put them.
My wife wants the roof to look pretty, so that's the end of that idea.
PV in the backyard is a real compromise. Too much shade.

If I get two more, that's 800w + the 500w of smaller panels on my tracker, is 1.3kW!
Should be able to do something with that..

150 miles isn't that far. Do you have a vehicle that can haul a bunch of panels?
I'll bet they would love not having to package up 6 or 8 panels for UPS shipping..

Edit:
I've got two more panels coming!!

techhi · 03-09-11, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xringer

Once the system hits 'Float', a DIY Float voltage sensor would turn on the inverter dump load.

The inverter AC output would drive an automatic AC transfer switch like this one.

Which would be connected to household loads that totaled about 400w average.
Since it would be using the left-over PV power, that's not longer needed
for charging.

Once the PV+pack voltage dropped back to the bulk charge range,
the Float voltage sensor would disconnect the inverter load.

I would like to be able to adjust the Float voltage sensor so the load
would bring the pack down to about 80% SOC before turning off the load.

So, as night fell, the pack would have 80% left over to use during the evening.
Some small loads of LED lighting etc.

I'm going to need to figure out what items (besides the pumps) I'll want to power during
a grid failure, and built the hardware to handle it, automatically.
Or, I could drive my wife crazy and set up a manual system.

So I could use this above Switch to say
1.first Batteries get charged
2.then dumps out to GTI's via this switch to the grid or do I need this switch

I think Outback makes something like I want

ALSO Yes in the Process of getting 6-10 panels not sure he's looking up a shipping/Freight price if to high I may just take the 4 hour trip to pick them up
just have to figure gas and tolls and a all day drive but if I get 8-10 the trip may be worth it

Xringer · 03-09-11, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techhi

So I could use this above Switch to say
1.first Batteries get charged
2.then dumps out to GTI's via this switch to the grid or do I need this switch

I think Outback makes something like I want

ALSO Yes in the Process of getting 6-10 panels not sure he's looking up a shipping/Freight price if to high I may just take the 4 hour trip to pick them up
just have to figure gas and tolls and a all day drive but if I get 8-10 the trip may be worth it

The switch can be used in a few different ways. I'm using mine like this.

If I want to connect PV power from the inverter, I can install another relay,
inline with the inverter output. (L) 15A Breaker line.

CRYDOM|A2425|SSR, PANEL MOUNT, 280VAC, 280VAC | Newark.com

The SSR, would be controlled by a voltage level detector or an output from the charger.

~~~

Keep in mind, UPS is almost always going to ding up your panels..
If you do your own trucking, you could keep the damage to a minimum..

UPS, Unrepentant Package Smashers..

Xringer · 03-11-11, 11:23 AM

UPS is bringing two more CS6P-200 panels today.. So, I've got to figure out where to put them.

I've been thinking of adding a 14' PT 2x4 right above the bottom
redwood 2x4 and place another 14' PT 2x4 just below the upper redwood 2x4.
The ends of the PT 2x4s will stick out each side, to support the new panels.
But, I'm a little worried about bending.. And sagging panels..

These panels are about 41 pounds each, so the total weight will 175 to 200 pounds.
I'll need to add some more back support (adjustable)..

Comments?

Xringer · 03-17-11, 08:17 PM

Attached two 13 foot PT 2x4s today.

Two more rear-support arm bracket sets have been installed. (About a foot out on the top 2x4).

The two new rear-support arms are heavy aluminum tubes.
I've drilled holes in then (2" apart) to allow seasonal angle adjustment.
The tubes were savaged from an old Mosley TA-33 antenna boom. Good metal.
I'll be installing them tomorrow, I hope. If my shoulder gets better!

I'm hoping the 3/8" bolts in the front hinges won't break under the weight.

Or, the 1/2" bolt in the 4x4s doesn't rip out.. These two hinges are the weak point in the Quad array.

Xringer · 03-18-11, 01:07 PM

Outrigger support arms installed this AM.. But it's too windy to install panels today..

It's scary out there. Earlier we had a big gust and I took off running to get away from the tracker & the trees. (falling limbs etc).

* HAZARDS...STRONG TO POSSIBLY DAMAGING WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS.

* WINDS...WEST 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH.

* TIMING...STRONGEST WINDS WILL OCCUR FROM ABOUT 11 AM TO 6 PM.

* IMPACTS...WINDS THIS STRONG ARE CAPABLE OF DOWNING SMALL TREE
LIMBS AND BRANCHES...POSSIBLY CAUSING ISOLATED POWER OUTAGES.

Anyways, the mount feels a lot more solid with three supports. If the hinges
hold up, I think this mount might just work out..

03-07-11, 07:14 PM	#35
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I think these 200W panels are of good quality and would be great with Enphase inverters or other GTIs. (That have the right voltage input range). I'm trying to get 2 panels more for the price I paid for the 1st two last year. They aren't moving a lot of these, so I might get lucky again. I would love to have 8 of these (1.6kW)! But, I really don't have a good place to put them. My wife wants the roof to look pretty, so that's the end of that idea. PV in the backyard is a real compromise. Too much shade. If I get two more, that's 800w + the 500w of smaller panels on my tracker, is 1.3kW! Should be able to do something with that.. 150 miles isn't that far. Do you have a vehicle that can haul a bunch of panels? I'll bet they would love not having to package up 6 or 8 panels for UPS shipping.. Edit: I've got two more panels coming!! Last edited by Xringer; 03-08-11 at 09:16 PM.. Reason: Ebay notice..

03-11-11, 11:23 AM	#38
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	800watts! UPS is bringing two more CS6P-200 panels today.. So, I've got to figure out where to put them. I've been thinking of adding a 14' PT 2x4 right above the bottom redwood 2x4 and place another 14' PT 2x4 just below the upper redwood 2x4. The ends of the PT 2x4s will stick out each side, to support the new panels. But, I'm a little worried about bending.. And sagging panels.. These panels are about 41 pounds each, so the total weight will 175 to 200 pounds. I'll need to add some more back support (adjustable).. Comments?

03-17-11, 08:17 PM	#39
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Quad array! Getting ready for the new panels. Attached two 13 foot PT 2x4s today. Two more rear-support arm bracket sets have been installed. (About a foot out on the top 2x4). The two new rear-support arms are heavy aluminum tubes. I've drilled holes in then (2" apart) to allow seasonal angle adjustment. The tubes were savaged from an old Mosley TA-33 antenna boom. Good metal. I'll be installing them tomorrow, I hope. If my shoulder gets better! I'm hoping the 3/8" bolts in the front hinges won't break under the weight. Or, the 1/2" bolt in the 4x4s doesn't rip out.. These two hinges are the weak point in the Quad array.

03-07-11, 02:35 PM	#31
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Most of my hot water comes from running the oil burner about 1/2 hour a day. It runs about 7AM for 30 minutes, on the timer. When it's sunny, the two 200w panels (1365 BTU Max) add a little extra BTU to the water.. If I can get two more panels, I'll have up to 2730 BTUh of extra heat.. The power is fed into a big 10 ohm resistor. It's in the firebox clean-out. (The fire box (above the resistor) has been filled with FG insulation). When (if) I can get two more panels connected, the voltage will be doubled. So, I'll reconfigure the resistor bank to 20 ohms.. Right now, it sunny and the resistor is being heated with 420 watts from the Canadian Solar panels. ~~~ PV has got to be one of the most expensive way to heat water.. Here's some posts about PVHW http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-...eat-water.html Unless you can buy PV for cheap money, or you already have PV that isn't being used, you should look into other methods. Maybe a heat pump water heater? Then you could use PV to power it.?. The government can do it, because they get their PV for free.. It's all paid for by suckers (AKA the taxpayers)! BFRL: Solar Photovoltaic Hot Water System

03-07-11, 04:29 PM	#32
techhi Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: S.Jersey Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	thanks for the speedy reply I'm also in the process of getting 6 "Canadian" panels my "best offer" is in and hope he goes for it. in addition I got 2 x 120 and 2 x 100 watt panels but split Poly/ mono and on the front of my house I want them all to be the same Look I may try to pole mount the 2 monos south since my house faces SE It's only my wife and myself so we don't use a lot of energy less then $80 a month give or take Thanks for the info just in the planning buying process Tom

03-07-11, 04:45 PM	#33
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Since you are in the area, you might be able to pick them up and save some shipping. One member has done it. Of course you will need a truck or other hauler. http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-....html#post9278 The SnakeTray boss has been down in Australia and should be back tomorrow, so we might hear from them within the next few days. I had an offer in and in expired, so I will have to resubmit it pretty soon, if I get good news.

03-07-11, 05:14 PM	#34
techhi Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: S.Jersey Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the heads up no need to keep checking my email this evening if he's away I have a 6 panel offer in and if I could talk/email the seller may try for 8. I started off just wanting a few panels but I want them all to be the same I'm about 150 miles away

03-18-11, 01:07 PM	#40
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Outrigger support arms installed this AM.. But it's too windy to install panels today.. It's scary out there. Earlier we had a big gust and I took off running to get away from the tracker & the trees. (falling limbs etc). * HAZARDS...STRONG TO POSSIBLY DAMAGING WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS. * WINDS...WEST 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH. * TIMING...STRONGEST WINDS WILL OCCUR FROM ABOUT 11 AM TO 6 PM. * IMPACTS...WINDS THIS STRONG ARE CAPABLE OF DOWNING SMALL TREE LIMBS AND BRANCHES...POSSIBLY CAUSING ISOLATED POWER OUTAGES. Anyways, the mount feels a lot more solid with three supports. If the hinges hold up, I think this mount might just work out..