[RE-wrenches] Outback FM100

Sun May 17 21:21:13 EDT 2020

I don't connect to the HUB or Mate if I don't have to; both to avoid 
issues with the customers changing programming, but also to save the 
customer money.  However, the #1 reason is that when all the equipment 
is interconnected, it is all dependent.  A failure in a comm cable or 
single piece of equipment can cause all the controllers to shut down.  I 
just don't think the benefits of com connection out weigh the loss of 
redundancy.  I have many systems with multiple charge controllers, and I 
have seen everything from a bad temp sensor to a single failed 
controller take the other controllers off line too.  Without the 
interconnection, a failed controller will just drop the system to half 
power, not to zero production.

This isn't just with Outback, I follow this reasoning with Midnite and 
Magnum as well.  I often mix equipment (Magnum inverter, Outback 
Controller) so comm connection isn't a possibility anyway.  We might be 
missing some bells and whistles, but our systems stay operational in 
more situations.   Basically I'm not happy enough with any single 
manufacturer to give them a monopoly with my designs.  I've always built 
our systems with the best equipment we can get for that particular 
situation.

Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760

On 5/17/20 7:38 AM, Mac Lewis wrote:
> Hi Ray,
>
> I'm curious, do you avoid have the FM100 on the Hub to avoid clients 
> changing the programming or have you seen some other issues?  I have 
> some of them out there and they seem to be solid, all Hub 10.3 connected.
>
> On Fri, May 15, 2020 at 3:48 PM Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar 
> <offgridsolar at sti.net <mailto:offgridsolar at sti.net>> wrote:
>
>     I have little experience with arc fault detection because I do not
>     use them offgrid. Could it save one from starting a wildfire? My
>     experience is I have never had a ground mount start a wildfire and
>     even a bad panel is pretty contained in a failure.
>
>     I just know that I make a small fortune replacing grid tie
>     inverter AFD's that failsafe in the no solar mode. Definitely do
>     not want another way to lose power offgrid. There are plenty already:)
>
>       
>
>     *Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar "we go where powerlines don't"
>     http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ e-mail offgridsolar at sti.net
>     <mailto:offgridsolar at sti.net> text 209 813 0060*
>
>     On Fri, 15 May 2020 11:03:11 -0700, Jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com
>     <mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>>     Hi William,
>>     that warning isn't on the AFCI one,
>>     Jay
>>     Peltz power.
>>
>>>     On May 15, 2020, at 10:41 AM, William Miller
>>>     <william at millersolar.com <mailto:william at millersolar.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>>     Jay:
>>>
>>>     On the FM100 landing page
>>>     <http://outbackpower.com/products/charge-controllers/flexmax-100>. 
>>>     The warning is pasted below.
>>>
>>>     /Due to the different voltage ratings, OutBack Power does not
>>>     recommend mixing the FM100-300VDC with the FM60 or FM80-150VDC
>>>     controllers on the same battery bank./
>>>
>>>     Interestingly the warning is not seen on the FM100 AFCI landing
>>>     page
>>>     <http://outbackpower.com/products/charge-controllers/flexmax-100-afci>.
>>>
>>>     I thought I saw this also in one of the Owner's manuals but I
>>>     looked today and can't find it there.  Interesting...
>>>
>>>     I have a client that wants to add a fourth PV array to a system
>>>     with three FM80s.  This will require a fourth charge
>>>     controller.  Being able to run smaller wire in the existing
>>>     conduits is an attractive proposition, making the FM100 a
>>>     desirable approach.  I now have to figure out if I can add the
>>>     FM100-AFCI (which is apparently the only version available) to a
>>>     system with three FM80s, and if I do, what do I do with the
>>>     existing GFDI breaker and how do I arrange the DC bond?  There
>>>     is a lot to consider here.
>>>
>>>     BTW, I was told by a tech support person for an on-line sales
>>>     firm that the original FM100 did not have the AFCI but those
>>>     units have been discontinued.  Now all FM100s have the AFCI
>>>     capability.  I am weighing if I want AFCI if it is not
>>>     required.  My territory includes central California wild lands
>>>     so I suppose I should take advantage of any fire safety means at
>>>     my disposal...
>>>
>>>     William
>>>
>>>     *From:*Jay [mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com
>>>     <mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com>]
>>>     *Sent:* Friday, May 15, 2020 7:34 AM
>>>     *To:* william at millersolar.com <mailto:william at millersolar.com>;
>>>     RE-wrenches
>>>     *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback FM100
>>>
>>>     Hi William
>>>
>>>     Yes downsizing breaker to meet load is no problem. And getting
>>>     wire that big into it with 1" KO is a pain.
>>>
>>>     I'm pretty sure any hub will work, needs 3S mate
>>>
>>>     Where in the manual did you find the "don't mix with other 60/80
>>>     controllers?
>>>
>>>     Jay
>>>
>>>     Peltz power
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>     On May 15, 2020, at 12:46 AM, William Miller
>>>     <william at millersolar.com <mailto:william at millersolar.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>>         Friends:
>>>
>>>         I have occasion to try the FM100 charge controller.  I am
>>>         wondering of anyone had found any quirks with implementing
>>>         this device.  I have a few specific questions:
>>>
>>>         1.I want to avoid AFCI unless mandated.  Will this be
>>>         defeated if I don't run the leads through the sense coil?
>>>         (There is an AFCI and non-AFCI version but I can't seem to
>>>         find the non-AFCI version anywhere.)
>>>
>>>         2.I noticed the manual indicates you are not supposed to mix
>>>         the FM100 with the FM80 or 60 in the same battery system. 
>>>         This negates it for one project I had in mind.  I am curious
>>>         as to why this is. Anyone know?
>>>
>>>         3.Will the FM100 work with a standard hub?
>>>
>>>         4.I suppose this unit requires a 125 amp breaker.  If the PV
>>>         array cannot support that full 100 amps I might down-size
>>>         the OCPD accordingly.  Anyone contemplate this question?
>>>
>>>         Thanks in advance.
>>>
>>>         William
>>>
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> -- 
>
>
>
> Mac Lewis
>
> *
>
> "Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates
>
> *
>
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