[RE-wrenches] Outback FM100
Jay
jay.peltz at gmail.com
Sun May 17 21:46:57 EDT 2020
Hi Ray
In my experience I’ve had plenty of hub and component/comm failures but I’ve never had it shut down the fndc or charge controllers with OB or Schneider equipment.
I’m wondering if you have?
Thx
Jay
Peltz power.
> On May 17, 2020, at 6:21 PM, Ray <ray at solarray.com> wrote:
>
>
> 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> 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
>>> text 209 813 0060
>>>> On Fri, 15 May 2020 11:03:11 -0700, Jay <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> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Jay:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On the FM100 landing page. 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.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> 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]
>>>>> Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 7:34 AM
>>>>> To: 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> 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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