[RE-wrenches] PV Recombiner
Ray Walters
ray at solarray.com
Mon Oct 10 20:29:20 PDT 2016
This thread actually brings up issues I've struggled with for years too.
QOs are really not good for over 50 v. The panel mount QOUs are
really expensive and special order. I believe they're only good to 125
vdc, so that not much help with higher voltage arrays.
There are much better breakers available for DC now. The problem is
mounting them.
Panel mount DC breakers are a PITA to wire blind, but that's how most
enclosures like Outback's work. This isn't just an installers whining
either, I have a repair call right now from a loose rear breaker
connection from another installer. It charred the wire for 6" and
melted the breaker.
Midnite usually saves the day on stuff like this, but their Mini and
Quad boxes are too small for wire over #6, and I just can't recommend
the MNDC 15, because again, its just to tight and hard to access the
breaker rear connections. Their Mini DC box is decent, and mounts the
post style breakers sideways for better access. I use it for many more
custom things. I also use their MNPV 6 combiner as an indoor DC load
center. I don't like the plastic front, but its the right size and can
mount most DIN rail breakers.
I still dream of a DC box the size of the MNPV 6 or QO 6 circuit load
center that mounted DIN rail on the front with a metal cover plate, and
mounted the panel mount breakers on the sides. Seems like a simple
enough concept, but no one will build it.
I would use it for DC distribution, but primarily as WIlliam's need: a
recombiner for in and out for several Charge controllers.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 10/10/2016 8:40 PM, Jerry Shafer wrote:
>
> You might want to look at the square D QO breaker line some are dc
> rated and voltage rated and are panel mounted.
> Jerry
>
>
> On Oct 10, 2016 3:00 PM, "jay" <jay.peltz at gmail.com
> <mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> I”ll chime in here.
>
> Yes the GSLC is a piece of junk.
> However it is UL listed for the job. And while you could put
> together something that would work with Airpax breakers together,
> but it wouldn’t be UL.
>
> What I do is to swap out all the wires to Arctic ultra flex. This
> allows much better movement of the wires with significantly less
> stress on the terminals. And if you want to not attach wires to
> the back of the breakers then you can and I’ve seen outback do it,
> install lay in lugs facing outwards so you can use a screwdriver
> or allen key on them. Allows for installation and removal of wire
> without removal of the breaker or the plate/breakers. With
> thimbles of course. And I can’t find them but I know they make
> them, shields that fit between each breaker so the lay in lugs are
> insulated.
>
> jay
> peltz power
>
>
>> On Oct 10, 2016, at 4:40 PM, William Miller
>> <william at millersolar.com <mailto:william at millersolar.com>> wrote:
>>
>> Chris:
>>
>> Thank you for the reply. I think you misunderstand me. We
>> always use the GSLC cabinets. I just don’t like the design
>> concept that clutters the cabinet with AC and DC breakers that
>> are difficult to access and block other components. See photo
>> below of a prewired GSLC Cabinet we were asked to work in. Not a
>> good scenario.
>>
>> We have created an installation standard using the GSLC that
>> minimizes the problems inherent with the design. We run all AC
>> leads to adjacent load centers and we try to minimize the DC
>> breakers in the cabinet. It is our goal to completely eliminate
>> all breakers from the removable dead-front. I think it is pretty
>> self-explanatory why one would not prefer to make connections in
>> a hard to reach location.
>>
>> Our goal is to constantly improve our installation procedures to
>> create better, safer and more efficient installations.
>>
>> Also, I don’t need someone to instruct me on how to make a
>> “finished” looking install. If you are familiar with my work you
>> know it is as clean as it gets. Review my web site. Below is but
>> one example of one of our installs.
>>
>> And lastly, “suck it up” is not a very complimentary phrase.
>> Please, let’s keep it professional.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> William Miller
>>
>> <image007.jpg>
>>
>> Figure 1 Factory wired GSLC
>>
>> <image008.jpg>
>>
>> Figure 2 Miller Solar installed GSLC..
>>
>> <image009.jpg>
>> Lic 773985
>> millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
>> 805-438-5600 <tel:805-438-5600>
>>
>> *From:*RE-wrenches
>> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>]*On Behalf
>> Of*Chris Mason
>> *Sent:*Monday, October 10, 2016 3:40 PM
>> *To:*RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>>
>> *Subject:*Re: [RE-wrenches] PV Recombiner
>>
>> The GSLC gives the system a nice finished appearance that the
>> customer will understand. Suck it up and live with the imperfect
>> world we function in.
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 5:55 PM, William Miller
>> <william at millersolar.com <mailto:william at millersolar.com>> wrote:
>>> Friends:
>>>
>>> I am looking for a PV recombiner. I need to accept the outputs
>>> from 3 remote PV Combiners, send those outputs through GFP
>>> circuit breakers, into charge controllers, back thorough
>>> breaker, into a bus bar, through a main breaker and onto a large
>>> battery bank.
>>>
>>> I am using 2 Outback Radian inverters, but I refuse to install
>>> DC breakers on their dead-front because wiring to studs facing
>>> away from the front is an inferior design. Furthermore, I see
>>> no need to run PV circuits through the GSLC cabinets.
>>>
>>> I looked at the Midnite MNDC15 but again, these use panel
>>> mounted breakers with studs on the back.
>>>
>>> Anyone know of a more thoughtfully designed PV recombiner?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>
>>> William Miller
>>>
>>> <image003.jpg>
>>> Lic 773985
>>> millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
>>> 805-438-5600 <tel:805-438-5600>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Chris Mason
>> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
>> Solar Design Engineer
>> Generac Generators Industrial technician
>>
>> www.cometsolar.com <http://www.cometenergysystems.com/>
>> 264.235.5670 <tel:264.235.5670>
>> 869.662.5670 <tel:869.662.5670>
>> Skype: netconcepts
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