Re: [RE-wrenches] unbalanced string voltages

2013-04-29 Thread Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems
David, Since a PV module is a constant current device, I don't believe this will take place. For a given amount of light (plus all factors affecting power), the current potential will be there. What force can act upon the current to reduce it? Consequently, the lowest Vmp the inverter can

Re: [RE-wrenches] unbalanced string voltages

2013-04-29 Thread Ray Walters
Modules aren't exactly constant current devices. They are for much of their voltage range, up to a voltage a bit below the MPP, and then the current starts tapering down to 0 at Voc. The entire string can only pass as much current as the lowest current

Re: [RE-wrenches] unbalanced string voltages

2013-04-29 Thread Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems
So the string with the highest current AND voltage dictates where the inverter MPP locks. Other strings are pulled up past their MPP which means lower current from them. Makes sense. I was only considering constant current under a load equal to the potential. In that case a module is constant

Re: [RE-wrenches] unbalanced string voltages

2013-04-29 Thread Allan Sindelar
I question one part of this conclusion, but have not set up any tests. The only part I question is "the string with the highest current AND voltage dictates where the inverter MPP locks". Rather, it seems to me that the voltage at which the combined current of

Re: [RE-wrenches] unbalanced string voltages

2013-04-29 Thread John Berdner
Allan: I posted an example using Kirk's original quesiton but for some reason it has not showed up yet. You are mostly right. IF the MPP tracker works correctly it will pick the global MPP point. Some MPP trackers get lost and fins a local MPP and you end up losing a bunch of energy. In

[RE-wrenches] 24V Rolls Charging Parameters?

2013-04-29 Thread Wayne Irwin
Hello Wrenches, Please provide your opinions on the proper charging voltages (e.g. bulk, float, eq,), and recommended durations. The bank consists of 12 - Rolls 8CS25P (820AH @ 20hr rate) (4 strings of 3). Design based partly on budget limitations. FYI. The system is off grid and consists of

Re: [RE-wrenches] 24V Rolls Charging Parameters?

2013-04-29 Thread Allan Sindelar
Well, if had been set up at 48V instead of 24V, it would have been a well-designed system. Would have cost less, too - two parallel strings of batteries instead of four for the same capacity, and three controllers instead of five. But as it is...

Re: [RE-wrenches] 24V Rolls Charging Parameters?

2013-04-29 Thread Wayne Irwin
I tried to email James but got bounced back. The system is pre-existing. This is a battery replacement only. I agree that fewer strings are best. The 8CS25 were the most AH for the money. However, the 12 - 8CS 25's is a big step up from the 32 - S530's (8 strings! and 96 holes to fill).

Re: [RE-wrenches] 24V Rolls Charging Parameters?

2013-04-29 Thread toddcory
this is probably a hair brained question, but has anyone ever tried paralleling the connections within the series strings? yes, more cables, but might this reduce the multiple parallel string unbalancing issues? todd On Monday, April 29, 2013 3:53pm, Wayne Irwin

Re: [RE-wrenches] 24V Rolls Charging Parameters?

2013-04-29 Thread Allan Sindelar
Todd, I have done it, a few times in my first years of doing this work. Intermediate parallel interconnects went out of fashion because they didn't seem to show any benefit. Yes, it gives you more paths for current flow - but isn't that the problem to be avoided?