[RE-wrenches] PV Recombiner
Ray Walters
ray at solarray.com
Mon Oct 10 23:29:20 EDT 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=20
really expensive and special order. I believe they're only good to 125=20
vdc, so that not much help with higher voltage arrays.
There are much better breakers available for DC now. The problem is=20
mounting them.
Panel mount DC breakers are a PITA to wire blind, but that's how most=20
enclosures like Outback's work. This isn't just an installers whining=20
either, I have a repair call right now from a loose rear breaker=20
connection from another installer. It charred the wire for 6" and=20
melted the breaker.
Midnite usually saves the day on stuff like this, but their Mini and=20
Quad boxes are too small for wire over #6, and I just can't recommend=20
the MNDC 15, because again, its just to tight and hard to access the=20
breaker rear connections. Their Mini DC box is decent, and mounts the=20
post style breakers sideways for better access. I use it for many more=20
custom things. I also use their MNPV 6 combiner as an indoor DC load=20
center. I don't like the plastic front, but its the right size and can=20
mount most DIN rail breakers.
I still dream of a DC box the size of the MNPV 6 or QO 6 circuit load=20
center that mounted DIN rail on the front with a metal cover plate, and=20
mounted the panel mount breakers on the sides. Seems like a simple=20
enough concept, but no one will build it.
I would use it for DC distribution, but primarily as WIlliam's need: a=20
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=20
> rated and voltage rated and are panel mounted.
> Jerry
>
>
> On Oct 10, 2016 3:00 PM, "jay" <jay.peltz at gmail.com=20
> <mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> I=E2=80=9Dll 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=E2=80=99t 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=E2=80=99ve seen outback d=
o 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=E2=80=99t 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=E2=80=99t 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=E2=80=99t need someone to instruct me on how to make a
>> =E2=80=9Cfinished=E2=80=9D 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, =E2=80=9Csuck it up=E2=80=9D is not a very complimentary=
phrase.=20
>> Please, let=E2=80=99s 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=E2=84=A2
>> 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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