Re: [RE-wrenches] Paralleling CC

2020-04-24 Thread James Jarvis 
The Magnum PT-100 will do 100 amps at 12 volts. It can be run stand alone /
not on the Magnum network. Settings are via DIP switch. LED front panel
display that cycles through displaying various parameters. Well built and
simple units.

https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/pt-100-mppt-charge-controller

-James Jarvis
APRS World, LLC
+1-507-454-2727
http://www.aprsworld.com/


On Fri, Apr 24, 2020 at 12:21 PM Jerry Shafer 
wrote:

> Wrenches, Ray
> How do you program a FM 100 to 12 volts, l do not see that's programmable
> to be set to do that
> Jerry
>
> On Fri, Apr 24, 2020, 10:16 AM Ray  wrote:
>
>> This is a classic off grid conundrum we've dealt with for decades.
>> Generally it take more money than the client wants to spend.  12 v is a
>> serious limitation, not just for the PV array, but the inverter and
>> battery layout as well.  What inverter do they have?  How old is it?
>> What battery are they running?  How old is the battery?  What are their
>> expansion needs?  How far is grid away?
>>
>> I look at all these things when working with the owner of one of these
>> legacy 12 v systems.  Generally it costs serious money to rewire to
>> higher voltage, but it usually solves multiple problems that they needed
>> to solve anyway.
>>
>> On the other hand, if you want to stick with 12 v, you CAN use the FM
>> 100, and just use the MATE 3 to program the controller, then pull it.
>> We have numerous FM 100s, and we have only one MATE 3 that lives in the
>> shop.  It brings the cost to the customer down significantly and
>> prevents unnecessary tampering with settings. $600 for the MATE 3 is
>> just stupid.  You can buy a decent laptop for that.
>>
>> Ray Walters
>> Remote Solar
>> 303 505-8760
>>
>> On 4/24/20 10:39 AM, Jay wrote:
>> > Hi All,
>> >
>> > Are there any CC out there that can parallel on the input side?
>> >
>> > Situation is a older 12v system, 300’ wire run using a MX 60.
>> >
>> > Client wants more PV, but CC is maxed out. Upgrading to say FM-100 is
>> way expensive and needs new mate etc.
>> > Yes could totally redo the system to 24 or 48v and use iota for 12v
>> loads. Buts that’s  expensive.
>> >
>> > Installing new wire would be complicated and expensive. But wire is
>> large enough to handle more power.
>> >
>> > Are there are any cc that can parallel on the input side, which would
>> be the easy solution if it exists
>> >
>> > Thx
>> >
>> > Jay
>> > ___
>> > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
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>> >
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Paralleling CC

2020-04-24 Thread Jerry Shafer 
Wrenches, Ray
I agree that 12 volts needs to be changed and best to go to 48 nominal and
have been there myself making suggestions. We,re all good and friends here.
Jerry

On Fri, Apr 24, 2020, 10:28 AM Ray  wrote:

> Oh well maybe I'm completely full of Hot air on this fine Friday morning.
> Sorry, I just assumed it could be set to 12v. II just checked the specs,
> and it actually is only compatible with 24 v and up battery banks.
>
> Personally I run the PV numbers on a calculator and when I multiply 100
> amps x 12 v  (1200 watts) and only get 4 of yesteryear's solar modules on a
> controller that cost more than the array, I always, always talk the client
> into going to 48v, or I don't touch it, cause its all archaic equipment I
> don't want to take responsibility for.
>
> Sorry again for making a bad assumption.
>
> Ray Walters
> Remote Solar
> 303 505-8760
>
> On 4/24/20 1:20 PM, Jerry Shafer wrote:
>
> Wrenches, Ray
> How do you program a FM 100 to 12 volts, l do not see that's programmable
> to be set to do that
> Jerry
>
> On Fri, Apr 24, 2020, 10:16 AM Ray  wrote:
>
>> This is a classic off grid conundrum we've dealt with for decades.
>> Generally it take more money than the client wants to spend.  12 v is a
>> serious limitation, not just for the PV array, but the inverter and
>> battery layout as well.  What inverter do they have?  How old is it?
>> What battery are they running?  How old is the battery?  What are their
>> expansion needs?  How far is grid away?
>>
>> I look at all these things when working with the owner of one of these
>> legacy 12 v systems.  Generally it costs serious money to rewire to
>> higher voltage, but it usually solves multiple problems that they needed
>> to solve anyway.
>>
>> On the other hand, if you want to stick with 12 v, you CAN use the FM
>> 100, and just use the MATE 3 to program the controller, then pull it.
>> We have numerous FM 100s, and we have only one MATE 3 that lives in the
>> shop.  It brings the cost to the customer down significantly and
>> prevents unnecessary tampering with settings. $600 for the MATE 3 is
>> just stupid.  You can buy a decent laptop for that.
>>
>> Ray Walters
>> Remote Solar
>> 303 505-8760
>>
>> On 4/24/20 10:39 AM, Jay wrote:
>> > Hi All,
>> >
>> > Are there any CC out there that can parallel on the input side?
>> >
>> > Situation is a older 12v system, 300’ wire run using a MX 60.
>> >
>> > Client wants more PV, but CC is maxed out. Upgrading to say FM-100 is
>> way expensive and needs new mate etc.
>> > Yes could totally redo the system to 24 or 48v and use iota for 12v
>> loads. Buts that’s  expensive.
>> >
>> > Installing new wire would be complicated and expensive. But wire is
>> large enough to handle more power.
>> >
>> > Are there are any cc that can parallel on the input side, which would
>> be the easy solution if it exists
>> >
>> > Thx
>> >
>> > Jay
>> > ___
>> > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>> >
>> > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>> >
>> > Change listserver email address & settings:
>> > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>> >
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>> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
>> >
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>> > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>> >
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>> > www.members.re-wrenches.org
>> >
>> ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Paralleling CC

2020-04-24 Thread Ray 
Oh well maybe I'm completely full of Hot air on this fine Friday 
morning. Sorry, I just assumed it could be set to 12v. II just checked 
the specs, and it actually is only compatible with 24 v and up battery 
banks.


Personally I run the PV numbers on a calculator and when I multiply 100 
amps x 12 v  (1200 watts) and only get 4 of yesteryear's solar modules 
on a controller that cost more than the array, I always, always talk the 
client into going to 48v, or I don't touch it, cause its all archaic 
equipment I don't want to take responsibility for.


Sorry again for making a bad assumption.

Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760

On 4/24/20 1:20 PM, Jerry Shafer wrote:

Wrenches, Ray
How do you program a FM 100 to 12 volts, l do not see that's 
programmable to be set to do that

Jerry

On Fri, Apr 24, 2020, 10:16 AM Ray > wrote:


This is a classic off grid conundrum we've dealt with for decades.
Generally it take more money than the client wants to spend. 12 v
is a
serious limitation, not just for the PV array, but the inverter and
battery layout as well.  What inverter do they have?  How old is it?
What battery are they running?  How old is the battery?  What are
their
expansion needs?  How far is grid away?

I look at all these things when working with the owner of one of
these
legacy 12 v systems.  Generally it costs serious money to rewire to
higher voltage, but it usually solves multiple problems that they
needed
to solve anyway.

On the other hand, if you want to stick with 12 v, you CAN use the FM
100, and just use the MATE 3 to program the controller, then pull it.
We have numerous FM 100s, and we have only one MATE 3 that lives
in the
shop.  It brings the cost to the customer down significantly and
prevents unnecessary tampering with settings. $600 for the MATE 3 is
just stupid.  You can buy a decent laptop for that.

Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760

On 4/24/20 10:39 AM, Jay wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Are there any CC out there that can parallel on the input side?
>
> Situation is a older 12v system, 300’ wire run using a MX 60.
>
> Client wants more PV, but CC is maxed out. Upgrading to say
FM-100 is way expensive and needs new mate etc.
> Yes could totally redo the system to 24 or 48v and use iota for
12v loads. Buts that’s  expensive.
>
> Installing new wire would be complicated and expensive. But wire
is large enough to handle more power.
>
> Are there are any cc that can parallel on the input side, which
would be the easy solution if it exists
>
> Thx
>
> Jay
> ___
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Paralleling CC

2020-04-24 Thread Jerry Shafer 
Wrenches, Ray
How do you program a FM 100 to 12 volts, l do not see that's programmable
to be set to do that
Jerry

On Fri, Apr 24, 2020, 10:16 AM Ray  wrote:

> This is a classic off grid conundrum we've dealt with for decades.
> Generally it take more money than the client wants to spend.  12 v is a
> serious limitation, not just for the PV array, but the inverter and
> battery layout as well.  What inverter do they have?  How old is it?
> What battery are they running?  How old is the battery?  What are their
> expansion needs?  How far is grid away?
>
> I look at all these things when working with the owner of one of these
> legacy 12 v systems.  Generally it costs serious money to rewire to
> higher voltage, but it usually solves multiple problems that they needed
> to solve anyway.
>
> On the other hand, if you want to stick with 12 v, you CAN use the FM
> 100, and just use the MATE 3 to program the controller, then pull it.
> We have numerous FM 100s, and we have only one MATE 3 that lives in the
> shop.  It brings the cost to the customer down significantly and
> prevents unnecessary tampering with settings. $600 for the MATE 3 is
> just stupid.  You can buy a decent laptop for that.
>
> Ray Walters
> Remote Solar
> 303 505-8760
>
> On 4/24/20 10:39 AM, Jay wrote:
> > Hi All,
> >
> > Are there any CC out there that can parallel on the input side?
> >
> > Situation is a older 12v system, 300’ wire run using a MX 60.
> >
> > Client wants more PV, but CC is maxed out. Upgrading to say FM-100 is
> way expensive and needs new mate etc.
> > Yes could totally redo the system to 24 or 48v and use iota for 12v
> loads. Buts that’s  expensive.
> >
> > Installing new wire would be complicated and expensive. But wire is
> large enough to handle more power.
> >
> > Are there are any cc that can parallel on the input side, which would be
> the easy solution if it exists
> >
> > Thx
> >
> > Jay
> > ___
> > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
> >
> > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
> >
> > Change listserver email address & settings:
> > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> >
> > List-Archive:
> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
> >
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> > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
> >
> > Check out or update participant bios:
> > www.members.re-wrenches.org
> >
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Paralleling CC

2020-04-24 Thread Ray 
This is a classic off grid conundrum we've dealt with for decades.  
Generally it take more money than the client wants to spend.  12 v is a 
serious limitation, not just for the PV array, but the inverter and 
battery layout as well.  What inverter do they have?  How old is it?  
What battery are they running?  How old is the battery?  What are their 
expansion needs?  How far is grid away?


I look at all these things when working with the owner of one of these 
legacy 12 v systems.  Generally it costs serious money to rewire to 
higher voltage, but it usually solves multiple problems that they needed 
to solve anyway.


On the other hand, if you want to stick with 12 v, you CAN use the FM 
100, and just use the MATE 3 to program the controller, then pull it.  
We have numerous FM 100s, and we have only one MATE 3 that lives in the 
shop.  It brings the cost to the customer down significantly and 
prevents unnecessary tampering with settings. $600 for the MATE 3 is 
just stupid.  You can buy a decent laptop for that.


Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760

On 4/24/20 10:39 AM, Jay wrote:

Hi All,

Are there any CC out there that can parallel on the input side?

Situation is a older 12v system, 300’ wire run using a MX 60.

Client wants more PV, but CC is maxed out. Upgrading to say FM-100 is way 
expensive and needs new mate etc.
Yes could totally redo the system to 24 or 48v and use iota for 12v loads. Buts 
that’s  expensive.

Installing new wire would be complicated and expensive. But wire is large 
enough to handle more power.

Are there are any cc that can parallel on the input side, which would be the 
easy solution if it exists

Thx

Jay
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Paralleling CC

2020-04-24 Thread Darryl Thayer 
Hi Jay, as I see it there are two problems with parallel.  One is the
burnout of the FET in one of the controllers, and the other is the "not
knowing what the other is doing.  The burn out is caused by the capacitors
in one CC supplying a surge current to the other CC.  I tried this and it
seemed to have success.  However,  I do not know how to trick the two CC to
be both in absorption at the same time.

On Fri, Apr 24, 2020 at 10:02 AM Jay  wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Are there any CC out there that can parallel on the input side?
>
> Situation is a older 12v system, 300’ wire run using a MX 60.
>
> Client wants more PV, but CC is maxed out. Upgrading to say FM-100 is way
> expensive and needs new mate etc.
> Yes could totally redo the system to 24 or 48v and use iota for 12v loads.
> Buts that’s  expensive.
>
> Installing new wire would be complicated and expensive. But wire is large
> enough to handle more power.
>
> Are there are any cc that can parallel on the input side, which would be
> the easy solution if it exists
>
> Thx
>
> Jay
> ___
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