Over current protection for charge controllers [RE-wrenches]

[Kirk Herander, VSE]

When I install a Power panel charge controller, I do the old school
method of using a double pole fused disconnect and route both the array
positive and the battery positive through it so the controller can be
isolated with the flip of one switch. The DC250 box is way too small and
gets crowded very easily so I don't install a second breaker inside it.
How that box passed the wire-bending space rules its hard to say. The
Outback PSDC is a joy to work with compared to the Xantrex DC250 / 175.

Kirk Herander
Vermont Solar Engineering
POB 697
Burlington, Vt. 05402
ph 802.863.1202 - 800.286.1252
fax 802.863.7908
Xantrex Certified Dealer
NYSERDA-Approved Eligible Installer
 

-----Original Message-----
From: William Miller [mailto:wrmiller at slonet.org] 
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 4:20 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Over current protection for charge controllers [RE-wrenches]

Friends:

I know this has been covered before, but in a different context.  I am
installing a Xantrex Integrated Power Panel.  It has one C-40 charge
controller. The battery positive lead connects to the bottom of the
GJ250
circuit breaker.  The top of the breaker connects to the inverter AND to
the C-40.  Shouldn't the C-40 have over current protection of a lower
value?  It is protected now at 250 amps.  I figure it needs to be about
60
amps (40*1.56=62.4).

Also, Xantrex prewires the C-40 input through a 30 amp DC breaker.  This
is
not right either, to my knowledge.  That breaker should also be 60 amps.

I don't know if we have a Xantrex rep. on the list anymore.  I hear
Pagan
is gone, and, as I recall, Ezra also.  It would be nice if Xantrex
responded, but I of course value input from the rest of you
installer/engneers.

Thanks,

William Miller


__________________________________________________________________
William Miller
Miller Power and Communications
PO Box 50, Santa Margarita, CA 93453
Voice :805-438-5600     Fax: 805-438-4607	
email: wrmiller at slonet.org
http://millerpowerandcomm.com
License No. C-10-773985
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