[RE-wrenches] APSmart RSD devices on Sol-Ark: how many strings can go thru one coil?

[Bradley Bassett]

Here's three drawings of ways to do it without using the 12VDC RSD output
of the Sol-Ark.  I think I remember that closing terminals 11 and 12 on the
Sol-Ark will shut it down, necessary to eliminate voltage backfeed from the
PV input terminals to the array.

Brad Bassett


On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 12:35 PM Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> David,
>
> Good to hear you experience here. I can say that Tigo's transmitter shows
> up to 1A of input current. But it also specifies a max/avg power
> consumption of 5.5W/.85W. I have used this one on one system and there were
> no issues with it.
> Cheers,
> Dave
>
> On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM david quattro <david at quattrosolar.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I Have had problems with that.  don’t recommend pushing the SolArk 12v
>> supply any more than they will warranty.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 12:19 PM Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Scott,
>>>
>>> Attached is the datasheet for the AP smart transmitter. It has data on
>>> maximum current, modules, and number of strings.
>>>
>>> However, I have a follow up question. This datasheet also says that the
>>> coil is 12V, 800mA. But the Sol-Ark manual specifies 12V, 100mA. Has anyone
>>> had issues with the Sol-Ark not being able to properly power the coil?
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Dave
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM scot.arey--- via RE-wrenches <
>>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Before this, never had need to install RSD with Sol-Ark but doing
>>>> project now that does. SolArk manual very clear on the pins to use but the
>>>> APSmart manual leaves some open questions.
>>>>
>>>> Question is: How many strings of PV Modules can I route through single
>>>> coil?
>>>>
>>>> Here we have four strings of 9-modules so I'm well below max string
>>>> length of 30. But the manual is silent on number of strings through a coil.
>>>> There is max amperage rating thru the coil (which looks like CT) but is it
>>>> just one string per coil? Hope not. Each APSmart transmitter can handle two
>>>> coils. Here is pic for reference from the SolArk manual.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *Howard "Scot" Arey*
>>>> *Owner, Solar CenTex*
>>>>
>>>> NABCEP PV Installation Professional
>>>> TECL 29755
>>>> 254-300-1228
>>>>
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