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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri>The AGM batteries are probably a better choice
than gelled, but the fact that some are down to 5 volts is the real
problem.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri>A typical AGM will lose around 1-2% charge per
month at 25 degrees C. If they are at 5 volts, that indicates that they either
sat around for over a year unused and uncharged, and possibly in a very high
temperature environment. The 2nd possibility is that there is some kind of
constant load on them, even when the units are not turned on - which would be
poor design.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri>The Midnite controller is not available yet, so
your only real choices with the panels you have are the Outback FM60 or the
Xantrex XW-SCC - both of them are in the $600 range.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>..................................................................................................<BR>Northern
Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979<BR>Solar Discussion
Forum: <A
href="http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/">http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/</A><BR>..................................................................................................</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=wratterman@sunenergypower.com
href="mailto:wratterman@sunenergypower.com">Walt Ratterman</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=rick@blueskyenergyinc.com
href="mailto:rick@blueskyenergyinc.com">'Rick Cullen - Blue Sky Energy,
Inc.'</A> ; <A title=re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">'RE-wrenches'</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, June 30, 2009 1:26
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Boost
Controller in Senegal</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT
size=2 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Calibri></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Hello
all,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">I would like your input on
what you think should be done here.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Nine systems were purchased
from Earthwalk. One has been deployed for four months. A second
unit is being deployed now. This leaves seven in the warehouse.
(And we wont even get into the fact that we have AGM batteries here instead of
the advertised GEL batteries, and the voltage is so low they might not even
work……I will deal with that separately…..)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">While it is clear that the
panels do not match up with the controller, it is not clear why they are still
working (other than the heat and dirt) and if they will continue to
work. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">One solution would be to just
leave everything alone and tell them what they should do if the system(s)
fail. In some cases, this might be the right action to take. But
in this case, I think the folks who sold the prefabricated unit should be held
accountable, and provide a system that is designed to work properly. The
schools paid good money for this equipment and they should at least have a
running start at success, which is difficult to come by in this part of the
world on a good day.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">So – when we tell the schools
to insist that the system be fixed, what do you think we should tell
them?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Due to the characteristics of
the panel (not being either 12V or 24V nominal) they need a MPPT
controller. I suppose we could tell them to change to a controller that
will accept the output of the panel. This would be either Outback,
Midnite Solar, or possibly the new Morningstar 15A controller. Any
suggestions?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">The other route would be to
have them change the panels, and keep the prefabricated system as it is.
Rick: what would you recommend the best voltage / current combination to
replicate the need for a 440 to 500 watt peak array output with the
SB50? <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Given the relative cost of the
panels versus the controller, the manufacturer may likely decide to switch the
controllers, but it is not as easy as it sounds. If either the Outback
or Midnite controllers are used, they will not fit into the small space the
cabinet allowed for the SB50. But I will deal with that another
way. (We will just build an all new cabinet here in
Senegal).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">So – any ideas or thoughts I
have missed are welcome!!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Thanks so much for all of the
great feedback. I think, like most of us, every day is a learning
experience, even if we think we have done this 100 times before.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Take
care,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Walt<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
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