I do not have the schematics. But, looking at the block diagrams, the only thing I see using AC is the Power Relay (230vac).

Maybe the Crankcase heater is using AC too, but even if it is, it's likely not 120vac.

My guess is the power supply is made to be used in countries where they
only have 230vac.. (50hz too) 120vac would not be available.
They just change the labels for the local language..

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/NCL/F106.jpg


After looking at this picture and realizing that I'm running 244 VAC RMS right now,
maybe I should be using 15A breakers, instead of 20A .?.
Locked rotor drawing 17.5A and using 20A breakers can't be good..

Edit: 9/13/2010
Shortly after noticing the Locked Rotor current, I changed the breaker to a dual 15A.

power production #s update. For November the system produced 15.16 kwhrs, or about 505 whrs per day. For December the system produced a measley 11.00 kwhrs total, or about 355 whrs per day.

The system has just had it's first birthday!
 

After the end of the day January 6th, the system had been in use for one year. The total yearly power production was 270.68 kwhrs. Here's a list of production by month.
Jan 7th - 31st 2009, 13.18 kwhrs.
Feb 20.42 kwhrs.
Mar 26.31 kwhrs.
Apr 25.74 kwhrs.
May 32.88 kwhrs.
June 27.42 kwhrs.
July 30.00 kwhrs.
Aug 28.00 kwhrs.
Sept 23.93 kwhrs.
Oct 13.46 kwhrs.
Nov 15.16 kwhrs.
Dec 11.00 kwhrs.
Jan 2010 thru the 6th 3.18 kwhrs.

Wow, huge dropoff in winter.

Here's an update on solar production for the last few months.

January, 15.38kwhrs total, 496whrs/day average
February, 12.16kwhrs total, 434whrs/day ave
March, 28.86kwhrs total, 931whrs/day ave

There wasn't much sun around till march this year.
A higher powered grid tie inverter would have been helpful that month. I saw it bouncing of it's limiter quite a bit on those sunny cool days.

That would have powered the electric car for about 54 charge/drive cycles (one cycle a week) for ~1080 km (~650 mi).

FYI, Ontario now has a "feed-in tarriff" program to spur renewable energy production into the grid by homeowners & businesses. It would have paid you 80.2 cents/kWh for that power, or $217.09 for the year.

Not bad for a 240-280 watt system!

I'm looking into it for my garage roof. It's not quite optimally oriented: ~30 degree slope, facing ~235 degrees (a bit west of southwest, which is 225 deg).

"$217.09 for the year."?? That's about the cost of his Enphase Inverter..


Yeah, a 30 deg roof isn't real good, unless you live down south. Around here 41 degs is good.

Sometimes a taller mounting bracket on the north end of the panel will work,
if it's not too tall or too near the peak, where the north wind can get under it.
(Wind baffle bars underneath the north end can alleviate a wind-lift problem).

A 235 deg direction isn't that bad. If the roof is fully exposed to the sun for most
of the day, you might see pretty good performance. The make all sorts of mounts.

Fin mount.. Odd name..
Vibrant Solar: PV Solar Panel Placement

Interesting - thanks!

I'll start a thread if I go ahead with this. Have to do a bit of research first, but the rates are really good here, so it's likely.

At the latitude of Toronto (43 degrees) the optimum angle for highest year round production is from 29 to 34 degrees. This would be he angle you would want for a MicroFIT system as it will give you the best return on your money. You will make a bit less in winter but it will be made up in summer.

Is '29 to 34 degrees' a little low? Is that mostly for summer?
I've seen a lot of recommendations for using the latitude for fixed mounts.

Solar Angle Calculator

Or, adding degrees..
Angle of Orientation

I'm glad my little array is fully adjustable.. :)

both those sites are wrong if what you want is maximum production

I use the software from Natural Resources Canada called Retscreen. It's free if you are interested.

What I am looking at is what is the best angle for maximum production, regardless of time of year. Those angles in the links may be the best angle to give you a more even output over the course of the year, which you would want if you are off grid. For a feed in tariff you can put your panels at the optimum angle of 29-34 (for the Toronto area) and you will make much more in the summer and less in the winter but your overall production will be better.

It really depends what you are doing with the electricity, and when you need it.

That's kinda what I figured. Set for best summer operation and take advantage
of the sunny part of the year. Not near as much sun up north during the winter months.

My Tracker isn't going to earn it's keep, when the snow flies.
Might just turn it off, set for south (and low) so the battery can send the winter indoors.?.
But, if it's moving around some, it might knock off the loose snow.. :)