[RE-wrenches] Outback FM100
Ray
ray at solarray.com
Mon May 18 12:45:03 EDT 2020
I've had them shut inverters down for both the brands you mentioned.
The comm failures that took out controllers were the Midnite "Follow Me"
setup.
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760
On 5/17/20 9:46 PM, Jay wrote:
> 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 <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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