[RE-wrenches] Troubleshooting Off-grid PV...second try with server up

[Chris Mason]

If you suspect the batteries are floating high and not taking charge, why
don't you load up the inverter and see how much power you are getting from
the PV system when there the inverter is fully loaded? If the PV output
loads up nicely, then your batteries are gone.

On Tue, May 29, 2012 at 3:07 PM, Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power
Systems <larry at starlightsolar.com> wrote:

> Eric,
> To see the responses to your original post, go here:
> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
>
> Larry Crutcher
> Starlight Solar Power Systems
>
>
>
> On May 29, 2012, at 9:03 AM, SunHarvest wrote:
>
> Sorry. I have to re-post this as my local, small-town email provider's
> server crashed the day I sent this out. I couldn't receive any responses.
>
>
> Hi Wrenches,
>
> I inherited an off-grid PV system that seems to be significantly under
> producing. I have:
>
> 12 KC120's (~19V 7A each) paired up 2 in series, for 6 strings terminated
> on new 15A breakers in a new Midnite combiner,
> Output of combiner passes through a 60A breaker into a RV SolarBoost 50
> charge controller. An SW4024 ties in the CC, a Kohler 8.5 Gen set, and a
> Yuasa 24V battery bank.
>
> My problem is that I never see more than about 5A (displayed at charge
> controller) coming off the array, even in full sun, regardless of the state
> of charge of the batteries. I figure I should see, at least once in a
> while, closer to between 20-30A. Batteries are, admittedly, passed their
> life expectancy as the system was installed in '02 and I am sure this is
> part of the problem. I'm thinking that if the batteries are at about 1/2
> capacity (don't own a hydrometer...yet), the controller senses the
> batteries are near full SOC even at lower voltage (~24V) and is therefore
> attempting to trickle charge even in the bulk stage. Though this is not how
> the CC is supposed to function in bulk, obviously, I'm assuming the old
> batteries are altering the standard operating conditions of the system.
> I've adjusted the Bulk set point on the CC but that doesn't seem to make a
> difference.
>
> I doubt this is part of the problem but the generator is problematic as
> well (it has it's own array of maladies).
>
> Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
>
> Eric Stikes
> Owner
> SunHarvest Solar
> +1 (530) 798 - 3738
> www.harvesthesun.com
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-- 
Chris Mason
President, Comet Systems Ltd
masonc at cometsystems.co
www.cometsystems.co
Cell: 264.235.5670
Int: +1305.767.2094
Skype: netconcepts
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