[RE-wrenches] Solar Boost Controller in Senegal

Tue Jun 30 07:28:07 PDT 2009

Chiming in with another suggestion for an alternate charge control, I would
look closely at Phocos. I've sold several of their early generation MPPT
controllers and none of them have broken so far...even though some went to
hot climates. The new version has firmware upgrade capabilities if you get
the right accessories.

The Phocos enclosure is about as wide as a SolarBoost50, but not as tall. It
is more deep front to back, IIRC.

Mick Abraham, Proprietor
www.abrahamsolar.com

Voice: 970-731-4675

On Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 8:13 AM, Bob-O Schultze <
bob-o at electronconnection.com> wrote:

> alt,In addition to those possible replacement controllers you mentioned,
> you might add the BZ MPPT 500 to the list. I've had a few issues with them
> but that seems to have mostly sorted itself out. Very reasonably priced for
> a MPPT controller, 100 Voc input. The catch is you've got a 500W output
> limit.
> Bob-O
>
> On Jun 30, 2009, at 1:26 AM, Walt Ratterman wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> Thanks to all of your responses, and particularly Rick’s confirmation of
> the appropriate ranges for the SB50, it has become clear that these panels
> can not be made to work with the SB50, and that the SB50 was the wrong
> choice for these pre-fabricated systems, or perhaps better phrased, the
> panels were the wrong choice for the controller.  Actually, it is probably
> more accurate that the panels were the wrong choice because their
> characteristics severely limit the possible options of what to do next.
>
> I would like your input on what you think should be done here.
>
> Nine systems were purchased from Earthwalk.  One has been deployed for four
> months.  A second unit is being deployed now.  This leaves seven in the
> warehouse.  (And we wont even get into the fact that we have AGM batteries
> here instead of the advertised GEL batteries, and the voltage is so low they
> might not even work……I will deal with that separately…..)
>
> While it is clear that the panels do not match up with the controller, it
> is not clear why they are still working (other than the heat and dirt) and
> if they will continue to work.
>
> One solution would be to just leave everything alone and tell them what
> they should do if the system(s) fail.  In some cases, this might be the
> right action to take.  But in this case, I think the folks who sold the
> prefabricated unit should be held accountable, and provide a system that is
> designed to work properly.  The schools paid good money for this equipment
> and they should at least have a running start at success, which is difficult
> to come by in this part of the world on a good day.
>
> So – when we tell the schools to insist that the system be fixed, what do
> you think we should tell them?
>
> Due to the characteristics of the panel (not being either 12V or 24V
> nominal) they need a MPPT controller.  I suppose we could tell them to
> change to a controller that will accept the output of the panel.  This would
> be either Outback, Midnite Solar, or possibly the new Morningstar 15A
> controller.  Any suggestions?
>
> The other route would be to have them change the panels, and keep the
> prefabricated system as it is.  Rick:  what would you recommend the best
> voltage / current combination to replicate the need for a 440 to 500 watt
> peak array output with the SB50?
>
> Given the relative cost of the panels versus the controller, the
> manufacturer may likely decide to switch the controllers, but it is not as
> easy as it sounds.  If either the Outback or Midnite controllers are used,
> they will not fit into the small space the cabinet allowed for the SB50.
> But I will deal with that another way.  (We will just build an all new
> cabinet here in Senegal).
>
> So – any ideas or thoughts I have missed are welcome!!
>
> Thanks so much for all of the great feedback.  I think, like most of us,
> every day is a learning experience, even if we think we have done this 100
> times before.
>
> Take care,
>
> Walt
>
> *From:* Rick Cullen - Blue Sky Energy, Inc. [
> mailto:rick at blueskyenergyinc.com <rick at blueskyenergyinc.com>]
> *Sent:* Monday, June 29, 2009 10:14 AM
> *To:* wratterman at sunenergypower.com; 'RE-wrenches'
> *Subject:* RE: [RE-wrenches] Solar Boost Controller in Senegal
>
> Hello Everyone,
>
> The SB50's maximum input voltage spec it 57VDC. This should be considered
> an absolute maximum above which the controller will be damaged in a manner
> not covered by warranty. Our recommendation is to not apply a total Voc at
> STC of more than 57V/1.25= 45.6V. There are transient voltage protection
> diodes on both battery and PV inputs on ALL Solar Boost charge controllers.
> These are not "tell tail" indicators but real protection devices
> designed/selected to protect down stream electronics from transient voltage
> damage resulting from ESD, lightning, etc. On the PV side of the SB50 the
> protection diodes will begin to clip at about 58-60V. They can eat a 1
> millisecond 3000W transient without damage, but will burn up if they receive
> more than about 10W continuously. These two diodes are located right behind
> the PV terminals.
>
> In the application described below I would expect the SB50 to be damaged.
> What typically happens with excess over voltage is the diodes fail
> short, and then clamp PV voltage low and protect the down stream
> electronics. If PV current is sufficiently high the diodes will burn
> open and the SB50 may continue to operate since down stream devices have
> somewhat higher voltage withstand capability, or it may suffer catastrophic
> damage.
>
> Why these systems continue to operate must be due to actual Voc not getting
> high enough long enough to cause catastrophic damage. If the controllers
> were to not switch to Float (unloading the PV's), the brief Voc sample as
> part of MPPT may not have burned up the diodes and they are successfully
> eating the excess voltage transients which would seem to occur during the
> Voc sample. It may also be that the modules are so hot that their actual Voc
> & Vmp are low enough that when PV voltage is clamped to 60V by the SB50's
> protection diodes insufficient power is delivered at 60V to burn up the
> diodes...
>
> Needless to say, this is a situation that need to be corrected. Technical
> Bulletin #100214 available on our web site describes proper voltage, current
> and power sizing for all Solar Boost charge controllers.
>
> Regards,
> Richard A. Cullen
> Blue Sky Energy, Inc.
> 760-597-1642 x102
> fax 760-597-1731
> rick at blueskyenergyinc.com
> www.blueskyenergyinc.com
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [
> mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org<re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> ] *On Behalf Of *Walt Ratterman
> *Sent:* Friday, June 26, 2009 3:22 PM
> *To:* 'RE-wrenches'
> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Solar Boost Controller in Senegal
> Hello,
>
> I am in a very remote part of Senegal, (near the Guinea  and Mali borders…)
> and I have come across some prefabricated “plug and play” American made
> systems installed for educational institutions.
>
> The systems use two Sharp panels that are 220Watts, 33.6 Voc, 29.2 Vmp,
> wired in series, using #10AWG home run wire from the panels back to the
> charge controller.
>
> Charge Controller is a Solar Boost 50.
>
> Batteries are Dekka AGM – two strings of 250AH, 12V batteries.  (four
> batteries total).
>
> My specific question is about the controller.  This is a 24V in / 24V out
> charge controller with MPPT.  I have not used this before, so I am not
> familiar with the details of operation.
>
> The data sheet that I downloaded says that the maximum open circuit voltage
> is 57 VDC.  But, this system is hitting the charge controller with two
> panels of 33.6 VDC wired in series for 73.2VDC.  So, why is the controller
> not fried, or what am I seeing wrong here.  I suppose with the panel
> temperature being elevated maybe 35 degrees above 25 degrees and a resulting
> 17.5% loss, coupled with some voltage drop, the system may actually be
> seeing less than the 57 volts.
>
> But…..isnt this a dangerous way to design a system?  (it will get cooler
> here ….)
>
> Or am I missing something?
>
> What would be the appropriate application here….
>
> Sorry, I cant do a lot of internet research from here – limited download
> capability on the satellite….
>
> Thanks!!
>
> Walt
>
> *Walt Ratterman*
> *SunEnergy Power International***
> * *
> 11 Laurel Lane South     Washougal, WA   98671
> (360)-837-3680   ▪   fax (360)-837-1315   ▪   Skype  Walt-Mobile
> wratterman at SunEPI.org   ▪   www.SunEPI.org <http://www.sunepi.org/>
>
>
>
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