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  • Post in thread: MPPT SoC Metric

    Noob alert. I recently got an MPPT (Tracer AN 30A). I have a script running every minute that queries via the RS485 port. I log this info to a local database. I have been noticing that the Battery SoC decreases as soon as the sun disappears. At the moment is at about 63%. This is a brand new...
  • Post in thread: To battery or not to battery!

    I am just finishing off the spec for a 6.5Kw array. The system will be grid tied with a hot water diverted. I am getting different companies telling me the pros and cons of going with a battery system. The power company has a decent feed in tariff that will allow me to sell back excess power. A...
  • Post in thread: Cable type - higher voltage ?

    I am putting together a small array of about 2.1Kw (6 x 360W panels). I am confused as what is the best way to configure these given the potential drop across the cable back to my house. The house is about 45 meters away. If I string the 6 together I will get about ~240V DC @~11A. In this setup...
  • Post in thread: Battery capcaity setting (Tracer3210AN)

    Great, thanks. Straight off the battery for me, so grand stuff!
  • Post in thread: Inverter questions

    Thanks for the reply Mike. I grabbed the consumer unit below (6A + 32A), I guess this isn't adequate, is that correct? https://www.electricalworld.com/en/ESR-IP65-4-Way-Garage-Consumer-Unit-Board-With-6-Amp-MCB/m-2235.aspx Also, the Renogy inverter I have is below. Can you let me know what you...
  • Post in thread: MPPT amp to battery

    Yes, not sure why I didn't think of that one, thanks. I will run this test and see what we're getting from the array.
  • Post in thread: MPPT amp to battery

    So I have made some observations and it seems the amps/volts coming from the panels are correct. The MPPT seems to be regulating what it puts down to the battery. Perhaps this is correct but I , naively, thought that if there is (for example) 20A availble to the SCC and the battery is low on...
  • Post in thread: LED from battery - odd behaviour

    I am getting ready from my solar install in my shed in the coming days. As a test I got together some old batteries (some UPS and an old golf trolley) and charged them up from the mains. The golf trolley bat is in the best condition and after charging I fully charged a large USB power bank (over...
  • Post in thread: Battery question

    Hello, I am just starting off with my solar setup. To begin with I have a 100W panel and charge controller (best to get my head around everything before getting any bigger!). I will also be starting 12V DC out only - to power some garden/shed lights and some device charging points. I have...
  • Post in thread: 18650 from AGM

    I have a 100Ah AGM. I've been learning a bit about 18650 cells and gathered about 100 decent ones. I've built a small 15Ah 3s pack with a cheap BMS. I'd like to use this as an "addon" to my existing setup. I'm thinking of connecting the new pack to the AGM as the input for the BMS and limiting...
  • Post in thread: SCC low amps

    Back again with more noob questions. Today I noticed my SCC is not outputting a lot of amps, max about 0.6A. I have one 100W on it and i have tested and it is outputting @ 21V. However, the SCC shows about 14V. I have an attached screen shot but I have seriously loaded the battery and it drop...
  • Post in thread: To battery or not to battery!

    Wow. Thanks for all the replies. Really gives me a lot to think about!! We do get some power outages and I work from my house so it would certainly be a consideration for that
  • Post in thread: 18650 from AGM

    Eek. Doesn't sound good. Lucky I asked so!
  • Post in thread: MPPT amp to battery

    Yep, that is how it's setup. That makes sense. Still, I would have thought that after an evening of DOD ~15% that when the sun hits the panels fully - I would get more current into the battery to charge than what I am seeing.
  • Post in thread: SCC low amps

    oh, that might make sense <runs to check the manual.....> Although, would that explain why my multimeter reads 21V straight off the panel but on 14V at the SCC?
  • Post in thread: MPPT amp to battery

    Thanks. Can you see that in the image I provided earlier or should I look for something else? ~ 65-70V in, down to 13.80-14.40 (depending on stage). Is this what you mean?
  • Post in thread: LED from battery - odd behaviour

    Yes, thanks. The wire that came with the LEDs was hair thin - terrible stuff. I put some decent cable on there and we're getting the right voltage across the all the lights.
  • Post in thread: SCC low amps

    I see 21v on the wires coming from the panels but the SCC is displaying 14V. Yes, on full load I can get the battery at or below 12.3. In my ignorance I thought this would be enough to make the SCC up the current to compensate
  • Post in thread: SCC low amps

    Does anyone know what "Anti-reverse MOSFET is short" means? I queried the SCC via the RS485 controller and this returned?
  • Post in thread: Battery question

    They are 12V 7Ahr batteries. There was 16 of them (all identical - sealed Lead Acid), combined, in the UPS Yeah, this is my main worry!
  • Post in thread: 18650 from AGM

    Thanks for the reply. Is there any way to add more capacity without adding a battery with the same matching type and capacity? What if I charge the lithium battery pack via a 3A charger plugged into my inverter. Seems like a long way around but would allow me to solar charge it (in a round...
  • Post in thread: MPPT amp to battery

    Yes. It is configured for a 200Ah battery (I did ask here on another post before about that and it was thought this wouldn't affect it). Not sure it this helps: Settings Data ---------------------------------- 00 Battery type: 1 01 Battery capacity: 200Ah 02 Temperature compensation coeff...
  • Post in thread: Charge controller question

    I have a budget setup. 100W panel with cheap PWM. I also have a new 95Ah AGM battery. I got a power monitor today and placed in between the charge controller and the battery. I was surprised to see the controller didn't put out more than 4.0A @ ~54W. The battery monitor showed 13.2V. This was...
  • Post in thread: MPPT amp to battery

    They are Eco Worthy 100W panels. 5.2 Amps from 3 x 100W in series should be easily do-able, no? The meter goes to 200W because I initially had 2 panels and I didn't re-write my app to show the limit!! - Lazy programming really. The data will display correctly though
  • Post in thread: Inverter questions

    I am in the UK and I have got hold of a 3000W Renogy 12V inverter. However, it's an EU type. That means the sockets on it are not 3 pin UK socket but rather 2 pin EU sockets. Is there any safety concerns with using it? I was thinking of buying an EU plug and fitting it to a 2.5mm flex cable and...
  • Post in thread: MPPT amp to battery

    Yes. The image is confusing. I need to grab a better one to show the problem. If you suppose the battery is at 12.4V with full sun on the panels with zero load on the battery. Should the SCC put more than 4-5A into the battery, if it has up to 20A available?
  • Post in thread: MPPT amp to battery

    I have my small 3 X 100W (series) setup in place for a few weeks now and I am just starting to notice some trends that I don't really understand. I discharge lightly enough in the evening and get my 100Ah AGM down to around 12.4 on average. I have noticed that when I get a sunny morning (like...
  • Post in thread: Noob grid tie question

    I am considering a grid tie solution. There is one thing I can't quite get my head around that I am hoping someone can help with: does the generated power always go to the grid or does/can it be consumed in the house first? At it's very simplest, suppose I have a grid tied inverter. I connect...
  • Post in thread: Battery capcaity setting (Tracer3210AN)

    I have a Tracer3210AN controller. It is connected to a small 100aH battery. I noticed the default settings are perfect for the battery type except the capacity, that is set to 200aH. I don't use (or have access to a Windows PC) so I can't use the EPEver software to change the settings. I do have...
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