Matching Outback inverers on powerboard? [RE-wrenches]

[Ron Young]

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Allan, thanks for your insight, you've clarified a number of things I 
was unable to articulate in my question. This is my first PS2 
installation and I believe I will go with your advice to order it 
pre-wired. I don't usually install pre-wired systems but the ones I 
have had experience with -the Trace/Xantrex power panels, had fewer 
options. I will be installing two of these Outback 'half racks' within 
the next few weeks, one a grid tie and one an off-grid, so will get 
some quick hands on insight. I'm sure I'll be back to the list for some 
questions -thanks all for your responses, this list is a fantastic 
resource!

Ron Young

On 27-Aug-06, at 7:01 AM, Allan Sindelar wrote:

>
> Ron, I'll chime in here...
> The breaker assemblies on the PS/2 are set up for two inverters, so 
> that
> isn't an issue.
>
> There are no "factory prewired" systems, in my understanding (except 
> the
> PS1, which is for a different application and not relevant here). Some 
> key
> distributors of Outback products (Energy Outfitters, Hitney, Conergy, 
> and
> others) are certified by ETL to offer a listed package of preassembled
> components.
>
> The main reason we have not purchased any preassembled packages is 
> that, in
> our experience, most of the conductors that we terminate inside a PS/2 
> or
> PS/4 come from outside the boxes. There is a best order for installing
> wiring: grounding and equipment bonding conductors first, then signal, 
> then
> negative/neutral, then finally positive and AC hots. Along with that, 
> large
> conductors, such as battery/inverter cables are best installed toward 
> the
> last. All of this is hard to do with prewired systems (ever tried to 
> thread
> a #6 ground behind 7 existing conductors and make it neat?). By field 
> wiring
> the entire system, we believe we end up with a cleaner installation.
>
> Having said that, I would advise otherwise, for one reason only: if 
> this is
> your first PS/2 installation, consider ordering it prewired. Use this
> installation to see how an integrator would do it. You will have less 
> to
> figure out and less chance for error. You may decide to field-wire the 
> next
> one.
>
> In your specific case, either approach will work if you have planned 
> ahead.
> You need to determine the role of the second inverter: more output at 
> 120V?
> 240-volt loads? Both? Whether prewired or field-wired, those options 
> take
> different wiring approaches and may or may not require an X-240.
>
> I hope this helps with your decision.
> Allan @+E
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob Ellison" <ellison at gisco.net
>>
>> Hi Ron,
>> Maybe I m missing something but you would have to change the breaker
>> assemblies to add another inverter as the bypass and other breakers 
>> for a
>> single inverter are different (and more of them) for a dual inverter
> system.
>> Somewhere around that point you are back to the decision either to 
>> order
>> prewired or wired. I guess that it just depends if you want the extra
> parts
>> in the shop on a shelf. If there is No chance of having to go with 
>> more
> than
>> 2 inverters the PS2 is easier to deal with, but if there is a chance 
>> that
> it
>> will expand further you will need the PS4
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Ron Young [mailto:solareagle at solareagle.com]
>>
>> Well so far I've gotten two interesting points of view. One that 
>> "warranty
>> issues with the original assembled unit, it could be clouded by your
>> upgrade" as stated by William Miller and the other that weight issues
> always
>> drive them to assemble their panels in the field and no sweat. I don't
>> really think the warranty issues are likely to be a problem but I am
>> concerned about ending up with some quirky little problem like maybe a
>> difference in firmware revisions in two separately sourced inverters
>> ...knock knock knocking on Murphy's door.
>>
>> Ron Young
>>
>
>
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