This thread actually brings up issues I've struggled with for years too.
QOs are really not good for over 50 v. The panel mount QOUs are
really expensive and special order. I believe they're only good to 125
vdc, so that not much help with higher voltage arrays.
There are much better breakers available for DC now. The problem is
mounting them.
Panel mount DC breakers are a PITA to wire blind, but that's how most
enclosures like Outback's work. This isn't just an installers whining
either, I have a repair call right now from a loose rear breaker
connection from another installer. It charred the wire for 6" and
melted the breaker.
Midnite usually saves the day on stuff like this, but their Mini and
Quad boxes are too small for wire over #6, and I just can't recommend
the MNDC 15, because again, its just to tight and hard to access the
breaker rear connections. Their Mini DC box is decent, and mounts the
post style breakers sideways for better access. I use it for many more
custom things. I also use their MNPV 6 combiner as an indoor DC load
center. I don't like the plastic front, but its the right size and can
mount most DIN rail breakers.
I still dream of a DC box the size of the MNPV 6 or QO 6 circuit load
center that mounted DIN rail on the front with a metal cover plate, and
mounted the panel mount breakers on the sides. Seems like a simple
enough concept, but no one will build it.
I would use it for DC distribution, but primarily as WIlliam's need: a
recombiner for in and out for several Charge controllers.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 10/10/2016 8:40 PM, Jerry Shafer wrote:
You might want to look at the square D QO breaker line some are dc
rated and voltage rated and are panel mounted.
Jerry
On Oct 10, 2016 3:00 PM, "jay" <jay.pe...@gmail.com
<mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com>> wrote:
I”ll chime in here.
Yes the GSLC is a piece of junk.
However it is UL listed for the job. And while you could put
together something that would work with Airpax breakers together,
but it wouldn’t be UL.
What I do is to swap out all the wires to Arctic ultra flex. This
allows much better movement of the wires with significantly less
stress on the terminals. And if you want to not attach wires to
the back of the breakers then you can and I’ve seen outback do it,
install lay in lugs facing outwards so you can use a screwdriver
or allen key on them. Allows for installation and removal of wire
without removal of the breaker or the plate/breakers. With
thimbles of course. And I can’t find them but I know they make
them, shields that fit between each breaker so the lay in lugs are
insulated.
jay
peltz power
On Oct 10, 2016, at 4:40 PM, William Miller
<will...@millersolar.com <mailto:will...@millersolar.com>> wrote:
Chris:
Thank you for the reply. I think you misunderstand me. We
always use the GSLC cabinets. I just don’t like the design
concept that clutters the cabinet with AC and DC breakers that
are difficult to access and block other components. See photo
below of a prewired GSLC Cabinet we were asked to work in. Not a
good scenario.
We have created an installation standard using the GSLC that
minimizes the problems inherent with the design. We run all AC
leads to adjacent load centers and we try to minimize the DC
breakers in the cabinet. It is our goal to completely eliminate
all breakers from the removable dead-front. I think it is pretty
self-explanatory why one would not prefer to make connections in
a hard to reach location.
Our goal is to constantly improve our installation procedures to
create better, safer and more efficient installations.
Also, I don’t need someone to instruct me on how to make a
“finished” looking install. If you are familiar with my work you
know it is as clean as it gets. Review my web site. Below is but
one example of one of our installs.
And lastly, “suck it up” is not a very complimentary phrase.
Please, let’s keep it professional.
Sincerely,
William Miller
<image007.jpg>
Figure 1 Factory wired GSLC
<image008.jpg>
Figure 2 Miller Solar installed GSLC..
<image009.jpg>
Lic 773985
millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
805-438-5600 <tel:805-438-5600>
*From:*RE-wrenches
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>]*On Behalf
Of*Chris Mason
*Sent:*Monday, October 10, 2016 3:40 PM
*To:*RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>>
*Subject:*Re: [RE-wrenches] PV Recombiner
The GSLC gives the system a nice finished appearance that the
customer will understand. Suck it up and live with the imperfect
world we function in.
On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 5:55 PM, William Miller
<will...@millersolar.com <mailto:will...@millersolar.com>> wrote:
Friends:
I am looking for a PV recombiner. I need to accept the outputs
from 3 remote PV Combiners, send those outputs through GFP
circuit breakers, into charge controllers, back thorough
breaker, into a bus bar, through a main breaker and onto a large
battery bank.
I am using 2 Outback Radian inverters, but I refuse to install
DC breakers on their dead-front because wiring to studs facing
away from the front is an inferior design. Furthermore, I see
no need to run PV circuits through the GSLC cabinets.
I looked at the Midnite MNDC15 but again, these use panel
mounted breakers with studs on the back.
Anyone know of a more thoughtfully designed PV recombiner?
Thanks in advance,
William Miller
<image003.jpg>
Lic 773985
millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
805-438-5600 <tel:805-438-5600>
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