Bah Solar
Bah Solar
(OP)
5 consecutive days of thoroughly overcast weather has left my 200Ah batteries empty. The trusty diesel generator runs for an hour each day, which keeps things going, but I seem to be caught in a trap, the battery charger current tapers off to 10A at 54V (from 20A), whereas at least once a week I like to take the batteries up to 54.4V resting, say 56-57V under charge. I can do that with the solar as it has a float capability built in. Well I just thought I'd have a grizzle.
Of course, despite the noise, the good thing about the genny is we can run the microwave, the water pumps, the toaster, and the electric chainsaw all at once.
Of course, despite the noise, the good thing about the genny is we can run the microwave, the water pumps, the toaster, and the electric chainsaw all at once.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?





RE: Bah Solar
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Bah Solar
I have AGM batteries in a 28V system, so my 27.2 float voltage is equivalent to 54.4V in your system. Your charger is tapering off the bulk charge, but only holding 54V... should be 55V or so.
Maybe it's just your battery charger voltage set-point that is set too low. What set-points does your charger use? Is it a 3-step charger or just 2?
STF
RE: Bah Solar
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist
RE: Bah Solar
RE: Bah Solar
The easy solution is to whack a bunch more panels on the roof, I can just about double the plate capacity for a thousand bucks (plus installation). That'll give me room to maneuver in winter, and in summer means we can run the immersion heater.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Bah Solar
Of course, a well tuned PV system can still be a slouch in solar doldrums.
STF
RE: Bah Solar
The solar controller is a different beast altogether, still a current model, PL40, which I'd like to upgrade to a true MPPT device when those get a bit cheaper. At the moment it is more cost effective just to bang more panels up.
Anyway yesterday the sun came out and I got about 60 Ah into the batteries which is more like it.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?