CS6P-200 Canadian Solar PV / Xantrex C40 project

[Xringer]

Today we had very little sun.. I got about 3 AH into the battery bank.
Not a good charger test today. Maybe tomorrow we can get some of the real thing..

The other day, I was happy to see the 400w array was giving me about 90+ percent of it's rated 400w.
It's kind of strange, since I figured a 10 ohm load is a bit on the high side..

400watthour = 1364.857 BTHs. If I can get 4 or 5 hours of sun, that's going
to be 4000 to 5000 BTUs of heat put into the water.
Might be enough to allow a warmer shower in the evening..

I wish that I had about 8 more of those CS6P-200 panels!

[st2288]

I wish I have room to put up 10 more too...

[Xringer]

The charger is working okay.. Just at low currents..

Here's a pic of Equalize mode. It looks like the PV can handle a 48v bank.


I ran a floor fan off one of the batteries, using a small MSW inverter.
Pulled about 130w off the 1# battery for about 30 minutes and
did see much of a change in the total voltage. It stay around 60-61v.

Next week, the true sine-wave inverter will arrive and I'll try using
it with the PowerJack 1200w GTI, to make my own little off-th-grid thing..

I need to get some 35A fuses.. These little 20A jobs aren't going to work
when I put a big load on the inverters.

With the Powerjack on three batteries, or 1200w / 40v = 30A, fuse min..

Humm, I see that AutoZone has some cute little 30A 24V breakers that look like little fuses..
maybe I should pick up a couple..

[st2288]

cant wait to see how you setup with the sine wave inverter..

[Xringer]

Originally Posted by st2288

cant wait to see how you setup with the sine wave inverter..

You might have to wait a little longer.. When first turned on, the GTI synced up.
Then, within a few seconds it caused the Sinewave inverter to hiccup.
That hiccup took down the GTI for a couple of seconds, and then it came back up.
Which caused the Sinewave inverter to hiccup AGAIN.. And it repeated..

The good news, nothing smoked..

The load was pretty light, about 130w. I think maybe a heavier load
would keep the GTI more docile. But, I'm not sure.

I'm wondering about using a series capacitor to lightly couple the sinewave to the GTI.
Perhaps the GTI could sync-up and make power for a load..?.

I'm trying to get this TED to work right now, it's got crummy comms,
likely due to noise from something in the house.
I've also got a 10A relay coming for the Sanyo.

GdNite,
Rich

[Xringer]

The wind kept the upper left corner pretty clear of snow last night.
And this morning, when it started to get brighter, the PV started making power.

I'm not sure, but it seems like the power made in that corner, assisted
in the melting of other parts of the panel.. (The 2 panels are in series).

It seems like the power flowing through vertical segments of the panels
was heating them up slightly, making a visible pattern..

Something, I did not expect to see. Seems odd to me..

[Xringer]

It's almost noon and the clamp-on shows 7.2A into the 10 ohm heater load.
That's 518.4 watts into the load!! If the loss in this cable is 10w,?,
then those new panels (400w array) are providing 528.4 watts.. That can't be right!


~~~

Waited a while and rechecked it.. Now at 6.1 to 6.2A
That's more like it. 384.4 watts in.. 10 lost= 394 out of the array.
98.5% of the rated 400w..

Must have been cloud-edge boost.. Because, I re-zeroed the meter
and took fresh readings, three times, while it was at at 7.2a..

Or, maybe not. I can't see out cloud-edge could increase the power by ~25%.. Or can it?

Edge-of-Cloud Effect, may not be what you think it is. Solar Power Knowledge Project

Circuit Cellar - The Magazine for Computer Applications

"The one unquantifiable anomaly affecting irradiance is edge-of-cloud effect and reflection (typically snow). When the sun enters or exits a cloud, there is at times an increase in solar intensity caused by reflection from nearby clouds that causes a sudden increase in current output. In the short time my system has been running, I have personally seen 2,000-W power spikes as clouds pass (i.e., a jump from 7,500 to 9,500 W)."


That's about 21% right there.. So maybe 25% is not out of the question..

Happy Holidays,
Rich

[st2288]

I have to take down my 1kv setup.. Why?

I got a letter from the town, they need to inspect the job the contractor did.
The solar company supposed took care of that.. guess not.
Long story short, I just need to submit a letter from a PE and electrical inspector, and that was it.. Didn't want them to cite me for the extra 1kv.
On top of that, the tax accessor has to inspect too. Unreal... guess that's why we are paying so much in property tax on Long Island (avg.. $9000/yr in my town)

[Xringer]

Didn't the contractor get all the permits and get them signed off at completion?

Or, maybe they just want to harass people? Nothing to do at city hall.?.

Around here, they don't allow any increases in property taxes because of a solar install.
I think the panels can't be added to the taxes for about 10 years (or maybe more)?

Other wise, if you added $20,000 in PV, they would be able to hire another relative at city hall..

~~~

I just ordered three ITS-30R automatic transfer switches..
If you never hear from me again, my wife came in here and smashed my PC..
Maybe over my head!!

[techhi]

Originally Posted by Xringer

I'm connected to the 500w array (the 400w is heating water), so it should
be able to hit the higher voltages needed during 'equalizing' mode.
48v is the max limit for the TS-45.. I was surprised to see that it can
be configured (via PC) for 36v..

Cheers,
Rich

What are you using to heat the water ? A DC hot water element or inverter
I have a Electric hot water heater and only run it 4-5 hours a day (I have a timer on it) just 2 people in the house so I'm looking into getting it powered somehow

thanks