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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Dan,<br>
Starting around 1999 with the successful introduction of the RV
Power Products (long since renamed Blue Sky Energy) Solar Boost
50, we did lots of controller upgrades, as that 15-20% winter
boost was a cheap and effective upgrade. For a few years we
referred to the C40 as "our best-selling used charge controller".<br>
<br>
I'll be waiting for the tech info on this from Tigo. It may be
good for shaded sites, which (being in the high desert) don't come
up as often as in other regions. I'd like to know when to use
them, and in which (series and/or parallel) configurations. <br>
<br>
Thank you,<br>
Allan<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;
charset=UTF-8">
<title></title>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><b>Allan Sindelar</b></font><br>
<small><a href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><font
face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#000099"><u>Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</u></font></a></small><font
face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><br>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic
Installer<br>
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional<br>
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br>
Founder and Chief Technology Officer<br>
<b>Positive Energy, Inc.</b><br>
3209 Richards Lane (note new address)<br>
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br>
<b>505 424-1112</b><br>
<a href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/"
target="_blank"><u>www.positiveenergysolar.com</u></a><o:p></o:p></span></font>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 722.25pt;"><span
style="font-size: 10pt;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times,
serif"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"></st1:city><st1:state
w:st="on"></st1:state><st1:postalcode w:st="on"></st1:postalcode></st1:place></font><b
style=""><br>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br>
</span> </div>
On 10/15/2012 5:21 PM, <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:dan@foxfire-energy.com">dan@foxfire-energy.com</a> wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:20121015162158.720a661d8db719b1f2ad39509c9edaa3.3835cba4e4.wbe@email14.secureserver.net"
type="cite"><span style="font-family:Verdana; color:#000000;
font-size:10pt;">
<div>Hey Alan, I checked in with Tigo tech support to reconfirm.
they assure me yes, this generation of optimizer (Basically a
module level MPPT DC to DC converter) does work with MPPT
controllers for battery charging. I pressed them for a cut
sheet or statement outlining their performance in battery
charging systems and was told they're working on a formal
statement that can be shared with the group. I also asked for
an updated on their efforts in AFCI. Again, they tell me
they'd have something to share PDQ.. I agree, module level
optimizers seem a bit like bleeding edge technology (Snake
Oil), but I have a new techno weenie customer who swears by
them. He tells me he's used them on several projects (mostly
for system performance monitoring) and wants me to use them on
his install, so I'm trying to do my homework as well. if
anyone out there has insight, I sure would appreciate it. I'm
still in wonder of the summer of 2003 I think it was.. seems
we only installed C40 and C60s up to that point. Then all most
over night MPPT controllers became the new industry
benchmark.. Seems module level DC to DC converters have the
potential to address several issues. I love my job. db<br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><br>
Dan Brown<br>
Foxfire Energy Corp.<br>
Renewable Energy Systems<br>
(802)-483-2564<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.Foxfire-Energy.com">www.Foxfire-Energy.com</a><br>
NABCEP #092907-44</div>
<div><br>
<br>
</div>
<blockquote id="replyBlockquote" webmail="1" style="border-left:
2px solid blue; margin-left: 8px; padding-left: 8px;
font-size:10pt; color:black; font-family:verdana;">
<div id="wmQuoteWrapper">
-------- Original Message --------<br>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Fwd: Charge control question<br>
From: Allan Sindelar <<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:allan@positiveenergysolar.com">allan@positiveenergysolar.com</a>><br>
Date: Mon, October 15, 2012 3:46 pm<br>
To: RE-wrenches <<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>><br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Dan,<br>
I checked out the Tigo website, and found nothing there to
suggest that these were intended for off grid battery
charging applications. A round-the-world sailboat is off
grid. Are you suggesting that these will work in battery
charging applications? If so,this is news. Do you have any
more info you can share with us about this?<br>
Thanks, Allan<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature"> <font face="Times New Roman,
Times, serif"><b>Allan Sindelar</b></font><br>
<small><a moz-do-not-send="true" target="_blank"
href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><font
face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"
color="#000099"><u>Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</u></font></a></small><font
face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><br>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">NABCEP Certified
Photovoltaic Installer<br>
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional<br>
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br>
Founder and Chief Technology Officer<br>
<b>Positive Energy, Inc.</b><br>
3209 Richards Lane (note new address)<br>
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br>
<b>505 424-1112</b><br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/"
target="_blank"><u>www.positiveenergysolar.com</u></a><o:p></o:p></span></font>
<br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span> </div>
On 10/11/2012 2:58 PM, <a moz-do-not-send="true"
target="_blank" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:dan@foxfire-energy.com">dan@foxfire-energy.com</a>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:20121011135839.720a661d8db719b1f2ad39509c9edaa3.494325297c.wbe@email14.secureserver.net"
type="cite"><span style="font-family:Verdana;
color:#000000; font-size:10pt;">
<div>Check out Tigo Optimizers:</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div> <a target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.tigoenergy.com">http://www.tigoenergy.com</a>/
<br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>db<br>
Dan Brown<br>
Foxfire Energy Corp.<br>
Renewable Energy Systems<br>
(802)-483-2564<br>
<a target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.Foxfire-Energy.com">www.Foxfire-Energy.com</a><br>
NABCEP #092907-44</div>
<div class="WordSection1"><br>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF
1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:12pt;;"><b><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext">From:</span></b><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext">
<a target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>
[<a target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Allan Sindelar<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, October 11, 2012 1:04
PM<br>
<b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] Fwd: Charge
control question<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:12pt;;"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:12pt;;">Wrenches,<br>
I'm posting this for Carl Bickford, prof emeritus of
the renewable energy training program at San Juan
College in Farmington, New Mexico. I'll forward your
responses to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
<div>
<blockquote
style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div class="MsoNormal"
style="font-size:12pt;;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">I
have a very interesting and talented friend
who is rebuilding a blue-water sailboat for a
round-the-world trip. He is well versed in
solar and is trying to use a relatively large
array to charge a big battery bank that will
be used for propulsion as well as general
electrical. The propulsion system will be
backed up with a propane generator he is
building himself out of a Toyota truck engine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"
style="font-size:12pt;;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">As
you can imagine, there is no place on a
sailboat where shading isn’t a problem. He and
I were wondering if there were products out
there that could MPPT either individual
modules, or small groups of them for 12 V
battery charging. I have seen such things for
the inputs of grid-tied inverters, but nothing
yet for off-grid. The other choice is to go
with many small MPPT charge controllers like
the ones from Solar Converters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"
style="font-size:12pt;;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Any
advice you can offer?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"
style="font-size:12pt;;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Take
care,<br>
Carl <br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal"
style="font-size:12pt;;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Carl
Bickford<br>
Professor of Engineering and Renewable Energy<br>
San Juan College<br>
4601 College Blvd.<br>
Farmington, NM 87402<br>
505-566-3503<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" target="_blank"
href="mailto:bickfordc@sanjuancollege.edu">bickfordc@sanjuancollege.edu</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"
style="font-size:12pt;;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <br>
I offered the suggestion below. Certainly open
to other and better ideas.<br>
Allan<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote
style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div class="MsoNormal"
style="font-size:12pt;;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">I
have not encountered this situation, so I have
no advice from experience. At 12V, it's hardly
an issue as it is with high voltage parallel
strings, where a few shaded cells can cause a
whole string to drop out of the inverter's
MPPT. At most, a shaded cell weakens the
output of that module. And since it's charging
batteries, there's a greater amount of head
room.<br>
<br>
I would suggest looking into Blue Sky Energy's
"i" series - smaller MPPT controllers that can
be networked. We seldom use them, as our
residential applications are different. But
you could put a controller on a group of
modules and network several together. One
advantage, I think (you'd want to check this)
is that Blue Sky's MPPT algorithm is analog,
unlike Outback and others: on the old Solar
Boost series, the MPPT boost was set with a
trim pot to a particular voltage above battery
voltage; the target is to set it to where the
boost was greatest. You could set this boost
slightly lower than peak, and output just a
little below MPP. That way the overall output
would be minimally reduced, and a modest
amount of shading would not cause the shaded
module to drop below collective MPP as
readily.<o:p></o:p></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:12pt;;"><br>
<b>Allan Sindelar</b><br>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt"><a
moz-do-not-send="true" target="_blank"
href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><span
style="color:#000099">Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</span></a></span><br>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt">NABCEP Certified
Photovoltaic Installer<br>
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional<br>
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br>
Founder and Chief Technology Officer<br>
<b>Positive Energy, Inc.</b><br>
3209 Richards Lane (note new address)<br>
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br>
<b>505 424-1112</b><br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/"
target="_blank">www.positiveenergysolar.com</a></span>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"
style="font-size:12pt;;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-right:722.25pt;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"
style="font-size:12pt;;margin-bottom:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:12pt;;"><br>
<br>
-- <br>
This message has been scanned for viruses and <br>
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