Hi Jesse;
Midnite's breaker boxes would solve your disconnect issue, but I
wouldn't use the baby box or Quad box, they're small and tight. I'd
actually consider their 6 position combiner box, even though its outdoor
rated. Another option would be the Mini DC box.
Here's my quick, real man's guide to many of Midnite's DC boxes:
_Baby Box_ Good for a couple of circuits, don't go over #10 wire. :-)
_BIg Baby Box_ Good for a couple of PV inputs, and up to #6 for one
Controller output.:-) :-)
_QUAD Box_, same size, only uses panel mount breakers. Don't be fooled
into trying #4 with this. It works, but you'll never do it again. Keep
it to smaller wires, and/or less than 4 circuits, and you'll be happy.:-)
_MNPV -3_ Outdoor Combiner box, good for up to 3 PV circuits. a bit
more room than the QUAD box, so it can actually handle #4 more readily.:-)
_MNPV-6_ outdoor combiner box. This one is a real workhorse, and can
be used with bigger wire, and separate controller circuits.:-) :-) :-)
_MNDC-15_ An overpriced POS. It can't take full size bussbars, it
can't mount a shunt, it has cumbersome breaker mounting brackets that
prevent you from being able to tighten the breaker connections.....
Sorry Midnite, but this one needs to be totally redesigned and have a
serious price reduction too.:-( :-( :-( an absolute black mark in an
otherwise stellar line up.
_MNDC_ this box is awesome for all sorts of projects from small
inverter disconnects, to multiple controller and DC disconnects. I've
used this one for many years, and prefer it over the E panel in certain
budget cases.:-) :-) :-) (its under $200!)
_E Panel_ probably the best single inverter solution available. No
other box takes less wall space. Combines AC and DC all under the form
of the inverter. Can be a bit confusing because of the side mounted
breakers, so I move away from this, if I have a lot of weird stuff like
multiple inverters, multiple controllers, DC loads, etc. However, Its
actually better than any of the inverter manufacturers' own equipment
for single inverter systems, and really comes with everything you need
(breakers, AC and DC adapter covers, prewired AC and DC cables, shunt,
AC/DC bussbars, etc.):-) :-) :-) I've happily used this for Magnum,
Outback, and Xantrex/ Sheitdner.
Good Luck,
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 10/24/2013 2:13 PM, Jesse Dahl wrote:
Hello,
Looked at a system today that consisted of the following:
15 - Kyocera 158W modules
3 - Kyocera 185W modules
1 - Outback MX60
8 - New Trojan L16RE (48V system)
1 - Xantrex SW Plus
6 months ago he swapped out his old charge controller to the new MX60
and purchased the new batteries at that time. The array wiring did
not change and is wired in 6 strings of 3. (confusing to the MX60?)
He is now adding 4 Kyocera 240W modules. He also purchased another
MX60 for this array.
From my perspective, removing the 3 185W modules and getting them on
their own controller would be a better use of the modules. The system
currently does not have any disconnects on the PV side. There are
fuses in the combiner boxes on the array, but no disconnects inside at
the charge controller. So adding 3 charge controllers, and now
needing to add GFDI, means a box of some kind needs to be added to
house these breakers.
Outbacks GFPs and panel mount breakers will work, but what is the best
mounting solution for these? One DC Flexware enclosure? It will of
course allow for all the DC OCPD and allow for the landing of the
output of the charge controllers. Or is there another enclosure/OCPD
solution I should look at?
Thanks as always!
Jesse
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