#168744  by Nut17
 Sun Dec 27, 2020 2:23 pm
Still mucking around putting box trunking in the cupboards to hide the wiring and having a bit of a clean up. I was surprised to see 42.3 amps being produced by these three panels. Divide 600 watts by 14.00 volts = 42.86 amps. I do not normally see a full rated output at the battery - even under ideal conditions. Once the other three panels installed a total of 85 amps could well be a reality ;)
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 #168797  by NeilV
 Tue Dec 29, 2020 9:05 pm
Wow! I don’t normally see more than about 15A from my 1060W as the batteries are usually full by the time the sun gets “over the yardarm”... I guess your bigger capacity LifePo4’s will sometimes go low enough to still need more but ideal angle input... what time was this and how ‘full’ were the batteries?

That controller actually purports to only be a 40A capable set too, so very good outcome for it to outperform its spec too! :TU
 #168799  by David Wallace
 Wed Dec 30, 2020 5:04 am
I see the solar controllers are only good for 550w of solar input. Be careful that you don't over cook the controllers. :)
 #168801  by scubadoo
 Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:09 am
Most quality MPPT solar controllers are designed to current limit safely via shunt or hall effect based circuitry. Our Victron self limits at 50A or whatever lower limit I choose. About 711W in our setup. When dual controllers were installed I occasionally observed 62A pumping into the battery midsummer. For 99% of the time we see less than 50A and the second controller proved unnecessary.
 #168802  by Nut17
 Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:46 am
NeilV wrote:
Tue Dec 29, 2020 9:05 pm
Wow! I don’t normally see more than about 15A from my 1060W as the batteries are usually full by the time the sun gets “over the yardarm”... I guess your bigger capacity LifePo4’s will sometimes go low enough to still need more but ideal angle input... what time was this and how ‘full’ were the batteries?

That controller actually purports to only be a 40A capable set too, so very good outcome for it to outperform its spec too! :TU
The picture was taken about 3.30 pm with the panels in full sunlight. The battery pack was at about 90 % needed 40 amp hours or so to top up.
 #168805  by Paul-Carter
 Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:31 am
Interesting to see the difference in battery input between your system and mine I think your Lifepo batteries are the real heros being able to suck up what ever is available with their lower resistance.
 #169254  by Nut17
 Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:33 pm
I now have all six panels on the roof - connected and providing charge. In fact all the roof top jobs have now been completed as I commissioned the new Southern Cross 52 Automatic satellite dish. Happily, it performed perfectly from the outset and I really like the "auto down" function when the engine is started. I will see if I can get Ben to get a good shot of the now very well utilised roof space with his drone. I have officially given up working from ladders and clambering around on the roof ;) The Renogy 60 Amp DC DC charger is also now operating in tandem with the BM Pro factory supplied 20 amp unit so I can realistically expect in the right solar producing conditions to be poking around 160 Amps into the battery. I still have the Camec wall mounted washing machine to install and an extra hatch to fit in the centre of the rear wall to make access to the nether regions of the rear tunnel boot.
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