Re: [RE-wrenches] Onboard PV Charging Kit for Electric Vehicle

[August Goers via RE-wrenches]

I've been happy with Victron charge controller / inverter equipment, they
seem to be very popular in the RV space. Here is a potential 3000 VA
inverter model that might work, other sizes and configurations are
available as well:

https://www.victronenergy.com/inverters-chargers/multiplus-ii#downloads

Note Victron makes charge controllers as well.

I don't have any experience working with Lithium batteries for this
application type, so don't have any recommendations there. Simpliphi seems
to be popular and might be worth checking out.

August



On Wed, Oct 5, 2022 at 9:23 AM Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> For those wondering about the battery pack, it was pulled from a Nissan
> Leaf—nominal voltage is 360 Vdc. So I don't believe it will be possible to
> charge the EV battery directly from the PV (or from the 'off-grid' battery
> bank). It is understood that there will be some not-insignificant
> efficiency losses involved in pumping the electrons between the PV and the
> EV battery.
>
> Just to clarify, the PV was added mainly to *demonstrate the concept* that
> onboard charging (to a limited degree) is possible. The off-grid battery is
> not meant to be the primary charging source. Once parked, the idea would be
> to get as much juice out of that battery as possible and then just plug in
> to the nearest utility-fired receptacle for the remainder of the charge.
>
> It has been awhile since I have specced any off-grid components - as in
> before lithium-based batteries took center stage. So I am mainly seeking
> recommendations on which equipment Wrenches would install "on their own
> house" (or on their own PV-powered pickup truck!).
>
> --
> Corey
>
>
> On Wed, Oct 5, 2022 at 2:00 AM  wrote:
>
>>
>> Wrenches,
>>
>> One of my friends converted his 1955 Ford F100 pickup truck into an
>> electric vehicle. He also had a nifty (mechanized) racking assembly
>> installed in the bed that can deploy a fold-out 3-module PV array at the
>> push of a button. If you aren't yet salivating, please see the attached
>> image.
>>
>> He would like to add an 'onboard off-grid' battery + inverter kit that
>> would essentially allow the truck to *plug into itself* (or, more
>> correctly, into the sun). My first question is if anyone has ever attempted
>> anything like this? or knows of a similar project?
>>
>> I'm taking suggestions for your favorite off-grid kit components
>> (make/model)—system specs as follows:
>>
>>- Inverter: preferably around 3–4 kW output rating, can be either 120
>>or 120/240 Vac output since the EV charger is rated for both
>>- Batteries: we're thinking LFP for the chemistry, around 3–4 kWh @
>>80% DOD, bank voltage would depend on inverter model (or the other way
>>around, if you prefer)
>>- Charge Controller: wiring the modules in series would give 900 W /
>>118 Voc / 10 A Isc
>>- Battery SOC Meter: ideally can be mounted on dashboard
>>
>> Thanks in advance for any electrifying ideas the group can offer!
>>
>> --
>> Corey Shalanski
>> Jah Light Solar
>> Portland, Jamaica
>>
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[RE-wrenches] Frequency converter?

[Chris Daum via RE-wrenches]

Hey folks:
 
A would-be customer is building a home in the Caribbean, where they utilize 
230V, 50 hz.  But he cannot find the appliances he wants in that voltage & 
hertz range; is there some large frequency converter that he can hook to their 
(230V 50hz) grid that’ll convert it to 120/240V 60 hz?  He’s not too efficient, 
peak loads are apt to be around 20kwh….  Location is Dominica, with a reliable 
utility.
 
Thanks for any ideas you may have!
 
Best,
 
Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309 or 4321
406-777-4309 fax
  www.oasismontana.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Onboard PV Charging Kit for Electric Vehicle

[Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches]

For those wondering about the battery pack, it was pulled from a Nissan
Leaf—nominal voltage is 360 Vdc. So I don't believe it will be possible to
charge the EV battery directly from the PV (or from the 'off-grid' battery
bank). It is understood that there will be some not-insignificant
efficiency losses involved in pumping the electrons between the PV and the
EV battery.

Just to clarify, the PV was added mainly to *demonstrate the concept* that
onboard charging (to a limited degree) is possible. The off-grid battery is
not meant to be the primary charging source. Once parked, the idea would be
to get as much juice out of that battery as possible and then just plug in
to the nearest utility-fired receptacle for the remainder of the charge.

It has been awhile since I have specced any off-grid components - as in
before lithium-based batteries took center stage. So I am mainly seeking
recommendations on which equipment Wrenches would install "on their own
house" (or on their own PV-powered pickup truck!).

--
Corey


On Wed, Oct 5, 2022 at 2:00 AM  wrote:

>
> Wrenches,
>
> One of my friends converted his 1955 Ford F100 pickup truck into an
> electric vehicle. He also had a nifty (mechanized) racking assembly
> installed in the bed that can deploy a fold-out 3-module PV array at the
> push of a button. If you aren't yet salivating, please see the attached
> image.
>
> He would like to add an 'onboard off-grid' battery + inverter kit that
> would essentially allow the truck to *plug into itself* (or, more
> correctly, into the sun). My first question is if anyone has ever attempted
> anything like this? or knows of a similar project?
>
> I'm taking suggestions for your favorite off-grid kit components
> (make/model)—system specs as follows:
>
>- Inverter: preferably around 3–4 kW output rating, can be either 120
>or 120/240 Vac output since the EV charger is rated for both
>- Batteries: we're thinking LFP for the chemistry, around 3–4 kWh @
>80% DOD, bank voltage would depend on inverter model (or the other way
>around, if you prefer)
>- Charge Controller: wiring the modules in series would give 900 W /
>118 Voc / 10 A Isc
>- Battery SOC Meter: ideally can be mounted on dashboard
>
> Thanks in advance for any electrifying ideas the group can offer!
>
> --
> Corey Shalanski
> Jah Light Solar
> Portland, Jamaica
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Complying with 690.9(B)

[Lloyd Hoffstatter via RE-wrenches]

Mac,
Bussman PVS-R-20 should work.

Best regards,
Lloyd

Lloyd Hoffstatter
Sunstruck Consulting

Get Outlook for iOS

From: RE-wrenches  on behalf of Mac 
Lewis via RE-wrenches 
Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2022 11:13:57 AM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Mac Lewis 
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Complying with 690.9(B)

Hello Wrenches,

I have an inspector who doesn't like my heavy duty square D disconnect loaded 
with 20A Littelfuse FLSR RK5 Littelfuses for use as a OCPD and disconnect on a 
PV circuit.  I am operating below the 300Vdc rating for this fuse but I'm 
having trouble finding documentation that states that this fuse is listed for 
use in PV systems.
Does anyone know if these fuses have this listing for PV specifically?  Its not 
easy to find if they do.
Or perhaps a solar listed fuse designed for this disconnect?

If not, is there another disconnecting device that can work for this?  I am 
looking closely at the MNPV6-250 DISCO but again, the 300Vdc breakers that come 
with this are listed to  DC branch circuit protection (UL 489A, IEC / EN 
60947-2) not necessarily calling out PV specifically.

Any input is appreciated!

Thanks

--



Mac Lewis


"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates
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[RE-wrenches] Complying with 690.9(B)

[Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches]

Hello Wrenches,

I have an inspector who doesn't like my heavy duty square D disconnect
loaded with 20A Littelfuse FLSR RK5 Littelfuses for use as a OCPD and
disconnect on a PV circuit.  I am operating below the 300Vdc rating for
this fuse but I'm having trouble finding documentation that states that
this fuse is listed for use in PV systems.
Does anyone know if these fuses have this listing for PV specifically?  Its
not easy to find if they do.
Or perhaps a solar listed fuse designed for this disconnect?

If not, is there another disconnecting device that can work for this?  I am
looking closely at the MNPV6-250 DISCO but again, the 300Vdc breakers that
come with this are listed to  DC branch circuit protection (UL 489A, IEC /
EN 60947-2) not necessarily calling out PV specifically.

Any input is appreciated!

Thanks

-- 



Mac Lewis

*"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates*
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[RE-wrenches] Onboard PV Charging Kit for Electric Vehicle

[Hilton Dier via RE-wrenches]

My first question is the voltage of the truck’s battery pack. If it’s below the 
118V of the array you should charge the pack directly with just a charge 
controller to minimize losses. 

There is absolutely no reason to add another battery pack separate from the 
drive pack. The drive pack is undoubtedly heavy enough without a second pack 
that doesn’t contribute to propulsion. The inefficiency of 
solar>controller>battery>inverter>charger>battery would be a significant loss. 

If the propulsion pack is higher than 118 volts you have a problem. You’ll need 
a 1kW DC to DC converter that will boost the voltage to some value well above 
the pack voltage. I’m imagining that this would be difficult to find. Then you 
would need a charge controller that would tolerate the output of the DC-DC 
converter. Maybe just a voltage tripped relay and a DC contractor. 

It’s a slick looking rig. Good luck. 

Hilton Dier III
Renewable Energy Design
Missisquoi River Hydro LLC
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Onboard PV Charging Kit for Electric Vehicle

[Jay via RE-wrenches]

Hi Cory

What a beautiful truck. Would like to see the video of the solar extending 

My question, is it possible to go direct to the EV battery? 
he/she just wants to charge the ev right directly off the panels?

And what voltage is the main battery. 

Jay

> On Oct 5, 2022, at 1:01 AM, Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> Wrenches,
> 
> One of my friends converted his 1955 Ford F100 pickup truck into an electric 
> vehicle. He also had a nifty (mechanized) racking assembly installed in the 
> bed that can deploy a fold-out 3-module PV array at the push of a button. If 
> you aren't yet salivating, please see the attached image.
> 
> He would like to add an 'onboard off-grid' battery + inverter kit that would 
> essentially allow the truck to *plug into itself* (or, more correctly, into 
> the sun). My first question is if anyone has ever attempted anything like 
> this? or knows of a similar project?
> 
> I'm taking suggestions for your favorite off-grid kit components 
> (make/model)—system specs as follows:
> Inverter: preferably around 3–4 kW output rating, can be either 120 or 
> 120/240 Vac output since the EV charger is rated for both
> Batteries: we're thinking LFP for the chemistry, around 3–4 kWh @ 80% DOD, 
> bank voltage would depend on inverter model (or the other way around, if you 
> prefer)
> Charge Controller: wiring the modules in series would give 900 W / 118 Voc / 
> 10 A Isc
> Battery SOC Meter: ideally can be mounted on dashboard
> Thanks in advance for any electrifying ideas the group can offer!
> 
> --
> Corey Shalanski
> Jah Light Solar
> Portland, Jamaica
> ___
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