Please look over my thoughts ( PV System )

 Please look over my thoughts / Plans and feel free to

Comment and point the way showing me any thing I have over looked or
misunderstood





My master plan LOL

Is to have Solar & possible wind or Hydro later as funds permit.

I plan to install now a PV panel or two to start the ball rolling

I was looking at the 80 Watt units that might be likely to be

Around when I where to add more in years to come.

All similar in price are

Shell SQ-80, SQ-85 BP

Solar BP-380

Sharp NE-80EJE

I also would like to stay around 48"X24" or so for rack/mount fitment



The panels I have planed to mount on the ground using a uni-strut rack

Or just buy a top pole mount and or a side of pole mount later

So I could knock snow off them and keep them clean.



Buy 1 or 2 Deep Cycle 12 volt batteries from wal-mart

(Think there like 96ahr or so)

Or they also have 6Volt golf cart batteries does anyone run these on there
system?



Xantrex/Trace C40: 40A, 12/24/48V 3-stage Charge Controller

(Run at 24volt as a charge unit for now and later using it for a wind or
hydro dump)



Or what's the thoughts on the

Tri-Star #TS-45 as I understand that it also has the 12, 24, 48volt & Dump
capabilities

Is it worth the few more bucks?



Does anyone run these units? And are they Potted making repairs imposable?

Please chime in on this one as this component is really up in the air



And as for an Inverter

Ouch!

Think I can use a few old Computer USP that I have around

And run the system at 12volt for now?

Just until I can scrape the dough up for a

Used, Scratched, Dented or otherwise affordable one?



I do have 4-5 Ups units here ranging from 200va to 1000va and all just need
batteries



My AC loads would be my computers & network, perfrials (sp)

Some 10 & 11 meter radios

Possibly some EM lights when the utility feeds down



And 12 volt electric loads

Livestock fence

EM lights when the utility feeds down

Although I might run some of the transmitters 12 volt

     And save the AC part of the system load





Could I run 2X12volt batteries in series at 24 Volt

Saving cable size and voltage drop.

Or run at the 12 volt config and cable for it



And tap one of the batteries at a 12 volt connection to run the few things?

I guess if necessary I could move the taps from time to time to

Balance the labor on the taxed battery



And as I have a wheelbarrow of copper buss LOL

I was going to use that for the battery connections

And mount that buss on the other wheelbarrow

of garolite (G-10) I have in sheets.



Please let me know what thoughts you may have on this system and

What PV Panels / controllers you have and if you would buy them again
knowing what you know now i.e. any regrets



Also I sure could use a pointer as to an affordable & friendly vendor

(As always I'm looking for the Everyday Low Crybaby Price LOL)

For these parts if you know of a deal out there ( Best price) on the web
please let me know Of the site or do you have something to retire please
contact me by mail





Sparkz Campbell

Hardshell, Kentucky USA



Ret. Industrial Contractor & Master Electrician,

(Active) NFPA member



Mail;

Sparkz_Campbell AT Yahoo.Com

 

Sparkz Campbell wrote:

  Almost everything.

Having said that, I suggest you start with some concrete numbers. Then
you will have a goal to aim at. This will allow you to make choices that
lead to your final system.

It is very hard to get anywhere if you start on the wrong road. Work out
where you want to go then draw the map of how to get there.

Energy audit - then design.

George L Ghio
Solar Power Consultant

 Here is a livable mistake I made with my hobby system.

I picked up a cheap inverter/grid-tie unit, 3 KW that does everything for an
unbelievable deal.

I order a few solar panels 320W, $2K and then had to get some batteries just
to make it work $400

Get it wired and then find out the unit sucks up 150W just waiting for the
real power. After the batteries get trickle charged each day there is
nothing left to actually do anything real.

The base unit is too big for my application (at that point)

Many more panels and I am doing more constructive paybacks with it now.

Plan your end size and work in steps towards it. There may be steps that do
not logically function for you that will not make you happy.

Never say never...LOL

Best of luck


things?

 I have a C-40 on a small system designed for limited emergency backup power.
180W of panels, a 1000W inverter (started with a 400W modified signwave), 2
12V AGM batteries (no venting needed). For me this works well and serves my
needs. My power company is extremely reliable compared to what I experienced
when I lived in the NW suburbs of Chicago and about $0.10kWh delivered.

The C-40 is not potted and it is through the hole design, not surface
mounted.

I had a limited budget and space. I live in the city.

Ed