[RE-wrenches] Sunny Island DC Load Centers, Sealed Batteries

[Howie Michaelson]

Walter, Kirpal,

Nice install in Burundi!  I'm wondering about the battery cables - how did
you connect the battery lugs on the 2/0 (?) cable to the SI's? Is this an
SMA approved adaptation?  I like the use of the FW1000's.

We just finished a retrofit of a legacy off-grid double dual stack Trace
SW5548, using 4 SI5048's in a double split-phase configuration to replace
them.  We used 6x6 trough below the four inverters for our DC in and AC
out cables, reused the 2 old Trace dual DC 175 amp disconnects for the
battery connections, and a backfed load panel for combining the AC outputs
with each SI backfeeding in on its own 60 amp single pole breaker.  We did
this so we could use the main lugs to land the 500' feeder wires supplying
the main house panel which is in a separate building.  We liked using the
trough, although the FW seems like a good option if one didn't already
have the DC breaker setup.

Howie
-- 
Howie Michaelson
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™

Sun Catcher, LLC
Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service
VT Solar & Wind Incentive Program Partner
http://www.SunCatcherVT.com
(cell) 802-272-0004
(home) 802-439-6096


On Wed, October 7, 2009 9:26 pm, Walt Ratterman wrote:
>
> Hello Kirpal,
>
>
>
> Walt Ratterman here.  I can respond to at least the first part.
>
>
>
> In Burundi, we used three 5 KW Sunny Island 5048's in a three phase
> configuration.
>
>
>
> For all of the DC and AC breakers, wireways, etc., etc., we used the
> Outback
> Flexware equipment.
>
>
>
> We put the DC on the bottom and the AC on the top.  Due to the width of
> the
> SI's, we used 2 - FW1000 systems to do this.  (And I am glad - we actually
> needed all of the wiring space.  I think it would work really well for
> your
> system.
>
>
>
> Of course, there may be some other good choices that I would be anxious to
> learn about as well.
>
>
>
> You can see some good photos of this installation at our photo gallery -
> linked form our Home Page at www.sunepi.org.  Click on the cover for the
> photos for the Burundi / Kigutu / Village Health Works / SELF project.
>
>
>
> Feel free to holler if you need any specifics on how we did anything here.
>
>
>
> OH - on your other question.I have no experience on large sealed banks,
> but
> Rolls now has AGM's that start at T-105 size, include the 8G8D sizes, and
> then go all the way up to 2V 3300 Ah.
>
>
>
> Thanks!!
>
>
>
> Walt
>
>
>
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Kirpal
> Khalsa
> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 6:15 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Sunny Island DC Load Centers, Sealed Batteries
>
>
>
> Hi Folks......we have an upcoming Sunny Island/Sunny Boy AC Coupled system
> installation.....We have mostly done Outback and Xantrex battery based
> systems.......and like the available supporting DC load centers with main
> breakers and other DC load and charging breakers......
> What are folks using for the Sunny Island products? Outback Flexware DC
> 500's? or 1000's?
> This particular system will consist of 4 Sunny Islands and therefore will
> need four main breakers......  We primarily need a breaker box to locate
> our
> main DC breakers coming from the battery bank.......Any advice,
> experiences
> would be appreciated......
>
> Also on that note.....anyone wish to share any experience or advice on the
> GNB Absolyte GX series batteries or the East Penn Deka UnigyII as a
> standby
> grid connected back up battery bank....They both seem like they are good
> for
> primarily hanging out in float with occasional deep discharges not
> negatively affecting the health of the batteries.....This is the type of
> service we expect the batteries will be in primarily......Any
> recommendations of one brand over the other.....The vertical stacking
> seems
> convenient as far as space is concerned.....maintenece free......any
> recommendations on a good supplier on the west coast?  Any other brands i
> should be looking at in the sealed battery category for a fairly large Ah
> battery bank?
> 100 thanks !
> --
> Sunny Regards,
> Kirpal Khalsa
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
> Renewable Energy Systems
> www.oregonsolarworks.com
> 541-218-0201 m
> 541-592-3958 o
>
>