Recent content by JHovel

Thanks. I've had trouble finding appropriately sized DC-DC boot converters. Hence the question. Found one today with 12V 15A output from 5-11V in. I'll report the outcome when I get it. Next question: can I use two DC-DC boost converters in parallel to get 30A 12V output? Charging the 6V...

I'd like to find a DC to DC converter option to output 12V from a 6V battery - and charge it from a 12V charge controller too. The battery is 625AH and I can't find another similar battery to make it a 12V system. I'd like to draw out and charge with 12V ~10A. Anyone here know of any DC-DC...

No. The two MPPTs will chase each other's tails. Split your string into two strings of less than 5kW each

I wish to control an ATS (Automatic transfer switch) based on PV output and battery state of charge. Completely independent of mains voltage. My intention is to run the house on battery when there is insufficient PV output to cover my power demand - including at night, AND there is sufficient...

Does anyone know where I might find another 5 cells for my battery in Australia? These are wet vented nickel cadmium cells with 625AH. About the size of 2 large car batteries each cell and around 30kg .... I have 5 spare, but would need 10 to make a 12V system.

Many thanks, Syd! That's pseudocode that gives me a start - to at least ask the right questions and look for the right answers.

That relay looks like it didn't extinguish a switch-off arc! Are you certain it was meant for DC switching? They need a MUCH larger gap between contacts.

Would you please go into a bit more details - or even show the code? You have just outlined EXACTLY what I would like to do with our hot water tank, but I donlt really know how. I have some arduinos and some electrocnic skills - just not enough to pull this off by myself safely.

I learnt that if you cut yourself accidentally and then touch 12V with in the cut (with a bloody surface) it gives you a pretty nasty - unexpected- shock!

This is the meter I have: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002381940978.html No, they are not a charge controller, they actually check the panel output directly. Do these tests with a clear sky and the panel facing the sun as close to perpendicular as you can.

Man that's a scary video! I'm fairly sure that non-isolateed inverters are illegal in Australia, but that doesn't mean they could fail internally to have a live connection on the DC circuit. I'll ground any future PV hardware and comply with the rules.

I'd say you have a perfectly serviceable setup there - bar the batteries of course. The unpredictable bit are the solar panels. A volt meter gives you just an indication of their open circuit voltage. What you really need is a cheap MPPT meter (look at Andy's Off-Grid Garage website - link in...

Been reading all I could here and in the regulations I have access to. Grounding/earthing of all PV collectors and their frames and mountings is now required here (it wasn't 15 years ago when I had my first grid-tied PV system installed). Can someone please explain the purpose of that? I...

I've just bought 30kWh Nickel Cadmium cells in terrific order. They've been kept charged and maiintained and seem perfectly good for another 20 years. I've just contacted the French/German manufacturers SAFT for a current value and maintenance instructions. I had some used open/vented/flooded...

Watt = Volts x Amps. So your 36v X 5.5A panels output 198W(maximum). If you put them in parallel as you indicated, e.g. for a 12V battery system, you need a charge controller with a capacity of 5.5A and a maximum of 36V (lets say 50V to be safe). If you were to put them in series, e.g. for a...