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Old 11-14-09, 10:01 AM   #121
Xringer
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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..




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.


Last edited by Xringer; 09-13-10 at 07:54 AM.. Reason: mod made
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Old 01-07-10, 08:27 AM   #122
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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.
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Old 01-07-10, 08:38 AM   #123
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Default 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.

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Old 01-07-10, 08:40 AM   #124
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Wow, huge dropoff in winter.
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Old 04-11-10, 07:14 PM   #125
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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.
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Old 04-12-10, 08:01 AM   #126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jwxr7 View Post
The total yearly power production was 270.68 kwhrs.
That would have powered the electric car for about 54 charge/drive cycles (one cycle a week) for ~1080 km (~650 mi).
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Old 09-13-10, 07:20 AM   #127
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jwxr7 View Post
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.
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).
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Old 09-13-10, 08:12 AM   #128
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"$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
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Old 09-13-10, 08:23 AM   #129
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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.
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Old 09-19-10, 07:37 PM   #130
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post

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).
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.

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