[RE-wrenches] 12V loads

[R Ray Walters]

The only way I deal with hunting lodges and the like is to install close to full code (I do relax on the exact year, since it isn't new construction), or I supply parts and advice, and let them do it themselves.
In Taos, we had some pretty poor folks trying to make it out in the desert, so I almost never turned anyone away, but not everyone got the benefits of a professional install.
Try telling a fellow American living in a tent or plywood shanty that they have to comply with NEC 2011. 
 Just to make you feel better: 12 v PV is one of the safest forms of electricity, so if the screw something up, they're not exactly going to vaporize the planet.
They're much more likely to die in a car accident driving to your shop to get another fuse......

Ray Walters



On Aug 10, 2012, at 6:37 PM, Jesse Dahl wrote:

> The "code compliance" part has been my worry.  The small DC system seems to be full of code problems. I do see the benefit of the DC only for the fish houses, but the hunting shacks make me always think code.  I have used the morningstar 300W for a few applications and have a magnum 1000W in my own fish house, so maybe I will look at that option.  I'm sure the owners wont mind having AC available, and would make the code issues I see go away.  That 1000w magnum of mine is a charger too, and thats a nice option to have.  
> 
> Great job!
> 
> Jesse 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Aug 10, 2012, at 7:03 PM, R Ray Walters <ray at solarray.com> wrote:
> 
>> The QO breaker has an AIC of 5000 amps.  The usual golf cart batteries have a short circuit current of about 2000 amps, so you could do a set of 4 golf cart batteries at 12v, without worrying about the extra fuse.
>> Once again, if the system gets any bigger, they should just go to an inverter based design.
>> Also, to be clear, I don't risk my license installing ATC fused systems on permanent structures.  (strictly RVs, and portable set ups) 
>> As soon as I'm doing an install covered by the code, it's going to be code compliant, and it's going to be inverter based.
>> Take a look at Midnite's Mini DC panel wired to Magnum's smallest inverter.  You'd be surprised how cheap you can do a code compliant inverter based system, and how much money you can waste trying to do a code compliant DC only system.  
>> 
>> Ray Walters
>> NABCEP certified since 2004
>> 
>> On Aug 10, 2012, at 4:35 PM, Drake wrote:
>> 
>>> I second using QO load centers.  You will want to put a fuse, like an FRN-R, between the battery and the load center, as the QO breakers don't have a high AIC rating. 12 V systems can be wired as easily as a regular AC system.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> At 05:05 PM 8/9/2012, you wrote:
>>>> Hello,
>>>> 
>>>> I've been looking at a lot of hunting shacks, fish houses and other 12V loads setups and was wondering how people go about setting these up? What are people using for load termination, fusing?
>>>> 
>>>> I'd like to keep all disconnects and fusing in one "box".
>>>> 
>>>> Jesse
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
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