[RE-wrenches] Component Choices for MY RV - Apollo Solar?

Darryl Thayer daryl_solar at yahoo.com
Tue Dec 28 17:45:22 PST 2010 

Drake
Let me explain, I have worked with the large inverter 4kW and Magnum 4024 AE extensivly, trying to get it right.  The Magnum was starting a large motor reliably (in fact it never missed), but the Outback did not start the motor at all well. So I settled on the Magnum, and did little work on this install with the Outback. 

Yes the Outback and the Magnum caused the DGI inverter to drop out, but I was not understanding what was happening, and I am not sure I got it correct.  But with the magnum I was trying to make it work with a 4 kW DGI inverter and it would work fine as long as the solar was not to bright or all the panels were hooked up.  I went through several tests with the Magnum (days)and every time it got over 50% the posibility of shutdown.  I tried over and over again.  I did not do this with the Outback as it turned out, but I have had unexplained bright sun cold modules when near 50% load DGI kickout, with the Outback.  

I would like to know if the Magnum 4024 PAE would be the same and if two magnums would handle the load, but we are all limited finacially.   

--- On Mon, 12/27/10, Drake <drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org> wrote:

> From: Drake <drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Component Choices for MY RV - Apollo Solar?
> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Date: Monday, December 27, 2010, 9:10 AM
> Have you found the 50% capacity true
> for Outbacks?  I'm considering 
> AC coupling 2000 watts into a VFX 3524.  With the roof
> angle, on cold 
> days, this inverter could get STC solar production easily.
> 
> Drake
> 
> 
> At 07:53 PM 12/25/2010, you wrote:
> >I have answered an eariler email, but in regards to
> backfeed, I have 
> >back feed up to 2kW of grid tied inverter into my
> Magnum 4024 AE and 
> >it held grid specification for the DGI inverter. 
> Above 2kW into the 
> >Magnum the Grid tied inverter kicks out on frequency 
> >specification.  Other inverters do the same for
> me, cause DGI kick 
> >out also at about the same level ie  about 50% of
> capacity.  Sorry I 
> >do not have many examples of this. but I do not have
> any contra 
> >indictating examples.
> >
> >--- On Thu, 12/23/10, bob ellison <reellison at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > > From: bob ellison <reellison at gmail.com>
> > > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Component Choices for
> MY RV - Apollo Solar?
> > > To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> > > Date: Thursday, December 23, 2010, 6:58 PM
> > > There are a couple things on the
> > > Magnum inverters that you will learn about
> > > after using one that really need to be
> corrected.
> > > DO NOT backfeed them, they are not protected like
> most
> > > other inverters. Back
> > > feed them and BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN! Read that
> as
> > > expensive.
> > >
> > > Also the split phase 120/240 inverters are slow
> to recover
> > > from a voltage
> > > drop. I have never noticed this on the 120 volt
> units but I
> > > don't have any
> > > large loads anymore so I would not see it like
> someone with
> > > a well pump or
> > > other large surge loads. I have had several calls
> about
> > > this from customers
> > > and it is real. If this is a problem or not seems
> to depend
> > > on the customers
> > > attitude, but it can be annoying.
> > >
> > > At least they are still made here, and the
> service is
> > > good!
> > >
> > > Bob Ellison
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> > > [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org]
> > > On Behalf Of Brian Faley
> > > Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2010 2:20 PM
> > > To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> > > Subject: [RE-wrenches] Component Choices for MY
> RV - Apollo
> > > Solar?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi Jeff,
> > >
> > > Just a couple comments to answer your question
> about Magnum
> > > inverters.
> > > See below.
> > > >
> > > > Message: 6
> > > > Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 06:09:35 -0700
> > > > From: Jeff Clearwater <jeffc at villagepower.com>
> > > > To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> > > > Subject: [RE-wrenches] Component Choices for
> MY RV -
> > > Apollo Solar?
> > > > Message-ID:
> > > <p06240800c8523ddca196@[74.220.67.154]>
> > > > Content-Type: text/plain;
> charset="iso-8859-1" ;
> > > format="flowed"
> > > >
> > > > Dear Colleagues,
> > > >
> > > > Well this one's for me!  Nice to do
> solar for
> > > > oneself after installing for others my whole
> life!
> > > >
> > > > I'm putting together an small RV system in
> my
> > > > Sprinter Van that will also act as a small
> mobile
> > > > power platform.  SUGGESTIONS?
> > > >
> > > > I'm considering the
> following:   What
> > > would be better???
> > > >
> > > > Batteries:  6 or 8 Optima Blue Tops (12
> Volt
> > > > System - possibly 24V) (space is limited -
> it's a
> > > > 144" Sprinter Van)  - Other sealed
> alternatives
> > > > you think are better?
> > > >
> > > > Modules:  2 Sanyo HIP-195BA19s (have
> > > already)  &
> > > > 1 undetermined 90-120 watt module (all that
> will
> > > > fit!)  (Anyone have an extra BP 790 or
> an
> > > > AE-90HE, AE-120HE??? or other 24" x 48" ish
> > > > module?)
> > > >
> > > > Charge Control:  OB FlexMax 60  or
> should I
> > > wait
> > > > for the Midnight Classic?  (A Sunsaver
> MPPT will
> > > > be used for the 100 watt module). 
> (I'll also be
> > > > dumping extra power to hot water).  Or
> Apollo if
> > > > I use the Apollo inverter below.
> > > >
> > > > Inverter:  I'd like to eventually have
> 120/240
> > > so
> > > > I could build from the RV.  So question
> is:
> > > >
> > > > A) One Outback 2012 now and then add another
> for 240
> > > VAC later OR
> > > > B) Apollo TSE2212  OR
> > > > C) Magnum MS 4024 (in which case I'd have to
> go
> > > > with a 24V pack and a 24>12 DC>DC for
> 12V
> > > loads)
> > >
> > > The Magnum MS4024 is a 120V inverter for AE and
> mobile
> > > applications. The
> > > MS4024AE is a 120/240 split phase inverter for
> AE
> > > applications.
> > > >
> > > > Monitoring:  OB Mate (Flexnet?) or
> (Apollo ASNET
> > > if I go Apollo).
> > > >
> > > > QUESTIONS?
> > > >
> > > > 1)   Opinions of the Blue Top
> vs ???
> > > >
> > > > 2)  Best RV inverter - Outback?
> > > Apollo?  Magnum?
> > > > Experience?  Vibration?  Only the
> Outback
> > > offers
> > > > neutral switching in the transfer switch.
> (Does
> > > > the Magnum?).
> > >
> > > Magnum MS4024 (120V single phase output) has
> neutral/gnd
> > > switching in
> > > the transfer switch of the inverter. It is ETL
> listed to
> > > UL458 (mobile
> > > inverters) AND UL1741.
> > > The MS4024AE is a 120/240 split phase inverter
> intended for
> > > AE use
> > > (non-ground switched) It is ETL listed to
> UL1741.
> > >
> > >   Weight is an issue as well as
> > > > space.
> > >
> > > MS4024 4kW inverter 55lbs
> > > >
> > > > 3)  Charge Control - Is the Classic
> Shipping?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for your time!
> > > >
> > > > Best,
> > > >
> > > > Jeff C.
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > > > Jeff Clearwater
> > > > Village Power Design
> > > >
> > > > Solar Design Consultation for the Commercial
> Sector
> > > > http://www.villagepower.com
> > > > gosolar at villagepower.com
> > > >
> > > > NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ?
> > > > http://www.nabcep.org/
> > > >
> > > > Voice: 831-427-2799
> > > > Fax: 413-825-0703
> > > > 245 Dufour St
> > > > Santa Cruz, CA 95060
> > > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Brian Faley
> > > Chief Engineer
> > > Magnum Energy, Inc
> > > 2211 West Casino Rd, Everett, WA 98204
> > > 425-353-8833 voice
> > > bfaley at magnumenergy.com
> > > www.magnumenergy.com
> > >
> > >
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