[RE-wrenches] Solar Boost Controller in Senegal

[Allan Sindelar]

Walt,
This morning I left a message on Rick Cullen's cell phone about this thread.
He called back, said he's on the Wrenches list as a manufacturer's rep and
he will check the thread and respond. So watch your Wrenches email before
taking corrective action.
Allan

Allan Sindelar
Allan at positiveenergysolar.com
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Positive Energy, Inc.
3201 Calle Marie
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
www.positiveenergysolar.com

-----Original Message-----
Hello again,

Thanks to all of you who chimed in with suggestions and comments on this
very apparent mis-application of the Solar Boost charge controller!!  

In looking at options for them, I thought of using the Morningstar 15Amp
MPPT controller.  They have a cut-off of 70V DC on the Voc, and ask for an
array not to exceed 400 watts.  The system here in Senegal is a whole lot
closer to meeting those criteria than the Solar Boost.  (73Voc and 440
Watts/p)  I have written to MS to see what they think about this.  

I hope to hear from Solar Boost to see their opinion, on what the best plan
of action could be from their perspective.  Chances are, Solar Boost has no
idea the equipment was used this way.

Some of you asked who designed this?  I am not really sure, but there is a
company named Earthwalk that primarily provides laptop computer packages for
remote education facilities.  They come with a battery charger cart for the
laptop batteries that is designed to plug in at night (especially when there
are problems with the grid power during the day.)  The Earthwalk company
provides as an "accessory" a solar charging station for locations without
the grid.  They include the system I described, but with a few other unusual
design thoughts.  (They use AGM batteries instead of GEL batteries, they
have a new DR1524 inverter, and they use a  Solar Converter Model VCS-2AH
switch, that I think is being used as a Low Voltage Disconnect, and I think
that is set at 20V....)  These systems were assembled very nicely into a
rolling cart in the states, and shipped to Senegal.  (The 12V Dekkas are
measuring 5V now, on this end before placing into commission.)

So - it is likely that Earthwalk commissioned a "solar" company to build
this for them.  I am trying to find that out now.

I just want to recommend the best action to them now instead of when all of
the systems start failing...which I am afraid they will do very soon.  I see
enough failed systems.  I would just like to stop this train wreck.

Thanks again for all your input.

>From the bush in Senegal!!

Walt