[RE-wrenches] C-40 question

[Chris Mason]

Because it is not 80 amps current flowing, it is a capacity of 80 amps.
Think of it this way. Your toaster is plugged into an outlet that is
powered by the grid. The grid has infinite capacity. Why doesn't your
toaster explode? Because it takes the current it needs. Now, increase the
voltage and you may have a runaway current situation, but at the design
voltage the equipment takes the current it needs up to the limit if the
supply.

On Wed, Oct 24, 2012 at 5:45 PM, Allan Sindelar <
allan at positiveenergysolar.com> wrote:

>  Wrenches,
> Sometimes I encounter a situation that I have never encountered, simply
> because it's so far beyond normal limits that I would never try it to find
> out what would happen. Here's one.
>
> A did-it-myself customer called me for batteries for his system. I learned
> he has a 12V system, with twelve 100 watt PV modules and a Xantrex C-40
> controller. He has been using this for five years.
>
> Twelve 100W modules is around 80-90 amps - double or more the C-40's
> capacity. Assuming that what he told was accurate, why is the C-40 still
> working? Is it current-limited internally?
>
> By the way, since he had a 7,000 watt (yeah, right) 12V inverter from a
> truck stop, I encouraged him to buy a 24V inverter and rewire everything to
> 24V; then his C-40 would (just) work.
>
> Thanks, Allan
> --
> *Allan Sindelar*
> *Allan at positiveenergysolar.com* <Allan at positiveenergysolar.com>
> NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
> NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
> Founder and Chief Technology Officer
> *Positive Energy, Inc.*
> 3209 Richards Lane (note new address)
> Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
> *505 424-1112*
> *www.positiveenergysolar.com* <http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/>****
>
> *****************
> *
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-- 
Chris Mason
President, Comet Systems Ltd
www.cometenergysystems.com
Cell: 264.235.5670
Skype: netconcepts
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