Connecting a solar array charging source to PROsine series system [RE-wrench

[wratterman at SunEnergyPower.com]

Bob:

Walt Ratterman here.....

I would sure take a long and hard look at re-designing the system and
bringing it up to something more current.  

The MX60 should be connected to one battery bank.  You said you have two
separate banks.

I think your customer would be better served with putting in an Outback
system with one inverter and the X-240, or with two inverters that would
give you your single phase 120 / 240.  If you need the 4000 watts that
you mentioned, you should just go with the two inverters.

Take the opportunity to re-work the battery bank into a single, 48V
configuration, and try to get the panels wired at 60VDC or 72VDC
nominal.

Just my two cents....

Walt
SunEnergy Power

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Clark [mailto:bclark at solar-wind.us] 
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 2:52 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Connecting a solar array charging source to PROsine series
system [RE-wrenches]



Dear Wrenches:

BASIC QUESTION:  HOW and WHERE do I connect a DC charging source (solar
array fed through an MX60 charge controller) to an existing AC
charging/inverting system?

BACKGROUND:  This OFF-GRID client is interested in decreasing his
generator run time (he has logged over 8000 hours in 4 years!) by
helping to charge his large battery banks with solar (he has already
purchased 6, 175W SHARP panels and erected the pole and rack to hold the
panels and an Outback MX60 charge controller).  It seems he has kept the
batteries in a good state of charge, so they are probably still
serviceable.

EXISTING SYSTEM:  GenPro 10 kW generator feeds into the main panel power
bus (i.e., the generator serves as the "grid").  The system is two
Xantrex PROsine 2.0 inverter/chargers each with an array of 10,
12V/200AH Xantrex XS12-200 sealed batteries wired in parallel for a 12V,
2000AH battery bank connected thereto (these are separate battery banks,
one battery bank per inverter/charger, they are not wired together).
The inverter/chargers are, however, wired for "series operation."
Series operation refers a wiring configuration that allows you to
connect two PROsines in a way that produces two, 120V phases which are
synchronized to produce 240V.  This is commonly referred to as a
"120/240VAC split-phase" supply or "240V single-phase with a center-tap
neutral" and is the same as the utility connection to most houses. This
series system can power both 120VAC and 240VAC single-phase loads. Two
PROsines connected in series can provide up to 4kW continuous power to
almost any combination of 120V and 240V loads.  His major (perhaps only)
240V load is his well pump.

ALTERNATIVE QUESTIONS:  Should this system be redesigned totally using
different components, such as an Outback inverter or two, PS2DC breaker
panel, X240 auto transformer, plus more solar panels?  Which is likely
to be the most cost-effective and most user-friendly system in the
long-run--adding to the existing system, if possible; or a complete
redesign?

Thank you for your responses.

Bob Clark
SolarWind Energy Systems, LLC
bclark at solar-wind.us<mailto:bclark at solar-wind.us>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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