36 Volt Solar Panel , 250 watts - Can I Connect to 12V Solar Regulator ?

[hellosailor]

Dave, where have you been all our lives? <VBG>

You're now elected to start the tests. Once we get that federal grant money coming in, you better clear off some bench space and part of the roof.

OK now, who owns a congresscritter, that we can get to allocate the grant money?

(It really WOULD be nice to see less smoke and mirrors!)

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Dave, where have you been all our lives? <VBG>

You're now elected to start the tests. Once we get that federal grant money coming in, you better clear off some bench space and part of the roof.

OK now, who owns a congresscritter, that we can get to allocate the grant money?

(It really WOULD be nice to see less smoke and mirrors!)

I'd love too right after I finish and launch the current product ( M2M telemetry)

But I'll keep seeing what's possible.

As to where I've been , well right here for about 5 years.

Dave

[surfmachine]

Ahoy mateys.
Here is a 50 amp MPPT controller for wind and solar, with a switch for load shedding.
What do you think? $348 landed in Langkawi? Not cheap, but does the job?



Decided to go for two, 140 watt/12V monocrystalline solar panels for $550 landed in Langkawi, waiting for offer to be accepted! So a total of 2X135 +2X140 watt solar and 400watt + 200watt wind into the system. 1150 watts maximum input, but wind gennys rarely put out more than 20 amps total?

50A mppt WIND Solar hybrid charger controller 12v 24v 48v 3400w | eBay

PCM-5048 Wind / Solar charge controller is an advanced 50A MPPT charge controller packed with many programmable features. This controller may be used with PV input directly (supporting large array up to 3400W), or used to a Wind / Solar hybrid system where a diversion relay is required to dump excess energy from wind turbine*. This controller is equipped with 2 sets of auxiliary relays that can be used to program turning external loads ON/OFF at a pre-specified system parameter (e.g. battery voltage), which is especially important for wind applications.

Product is certified by national and EMC standard and 100% made in Taiwan, with very reliable quality.

*Will require wind turbines equipped with a rectifier / braking unit.
**DO NOT connect wind turbines directly to the unit; this unit can only accept DC, not AC!

MAIN FEATURES:

MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE & POWER

MPPT capability increases PV energy harvest by up to 30%
Maximum efficiency up to 92% at peak output
Easy parallel up to 16 units to maximize charging current
Supports large PV array up to 3400W
2/3/4-stage high-efficiency battery charging up to 50A
VERSATILITY & PROGRAMMABILITY

Built-in BEM (Battery Energy Monitor) to keep track energy production and consumption
Built-in datalogger stores up to 90 days of energy-harvest history
Supports FLA, Gel, AGM batteries
Programmable settings include:
Unit settings (system date, time, temperature, input/output voltage/current, SOC etc)
Battery settings (voltage, type, capacity)
Charging stage settings (absorption/float/equalize, time and voltage)
MPPT settings (san frequency, %Voc etc)
Auxiliary relay settings
Parallel settings (address etc)
Datalogging settings
BVS (Battery voltage sensing) built-in to ensure precise charging of battery
BTS (Battery temperature sensing) built-in to ensure charging safety (BTS wire included)
BCS function available with optional shunt
May be used for WIND systems (require optional rectifier & braking unit)
EXTENSIVE RELIABILITY & PROTECTIONs

Over temperature
Reverse polarity
PV input and output overload
Reverse current
Battery overcharge/overdischarge
NETWORKING & COMMUNICATIONS

Large control panel with LCD to adjust system parameters & display message
4 LED indicators to display system modes and information
Communication ports built-in to parallel with other controllers
2 sets of auxiliary relay terminals to help control dump loads
SPECIFICATIONS:

ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS

MPPT Range

16~112VDC@12/24/36/48V

Max PV Input Voltage

140VDC (Open Circuit)

Max PV Input Current

40A

Max PV Input Power

3400W

Recommended Battery Type

Flooded, GEL, or AGM Lead Acid

Nominal Battery Voltage

12/24/36/48V

Max Charging Current

50A

Standby Power

<2W

Charging Schemes

Bulk, Absorption, Float, Auto/Manual Equalization

Battery Temp. Compensation

Built-In, -5.0mV/°C/cell

Protections

Over Temperature, Reverse Polarity, Reverse Current, Input/Output Overload, Battery Overcharge/Overdischarge

LCD Indicator

PV Input Voltage/Current/Power, Battery Voltage/Current/Temp/SOC, System Date/Time/Temp, Voltage Setting, Data Log Information

LED Indicator

4, Ready/Charge/Equal/Fault

Parallel Connections

Yes, Up to 16 Units

Data Logging

Built-In, Up to 90 Days

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Certification / EMC

CE / EN61000-6-1, EN61000-6-3

Operating/Storage Temp.

-20°C~50°C/ -40°C~70°C

Enclosure Type

Indoor , IP20

Working Humidity

~95%RH Max Non-Condensing

Dimension

268*196*147mm

Weight

4.3Kg

[surfmachine]

Hi again.
Can you please tell me if a dc controlled solid state relay, rated for controlling ac voltage at 480Volts and 90 amps, would work when switching a DC voltage of 12V and max 40 amps?
I was going to use this relay as a switch to short out the positive and negative outputs from my wind gennies and act as a braking switch, With a big blocking diode on the positive wire to the battery to stop reverse curren flow back to the genny.

I have found a device that monitors voltage and current from a source and can be programmed to activate a dc control relay when certain parameters are met. This will control the ssr relay.

Specifications:
Product Name: Solid State Relay
Material: Metal, Plastic, Electric Parts
Type: SSR90DA
Working Current: 90A
Input: DC 3-32V
Output: AC 24-480V
Size (Approx.): 5.7 x 4.5 x 3.2cm/ 2.2" x 1.8" x 1.2" (L*W*T)
Main Color: Black, Clear
Weight: 92g

Would I need to heat sink this relay?

Thanks from Keith.

Please see details of voltage controller below...............
Programmable Digital Dual Display Combo Meter intelligent controller
Combines many functions in one, Dual display for Voltage(V), Current(A), Power(W), Ampere-hour(Ah), Working Hours(H).
Alarm control for over/under limit( Buzzer included)
Cut off output power for over/under limit.
OCP Over Current protection;
OAH Over Charge protection;
OVP Over Voltage protection;
OPP Over Power protection;
OFT Over Time protection;
LOP Low Voltage protection;
Flexible On-line calibration function, calibrate Voltage and amps reading easyily.
4 digits LED, High accuracy.
Lowe power consumption.
Expandable with ext'l Shunt and Relay.
It doesn't require a power when input power between 5V~40V.
200A Relay is needed for limit control, it is not included.
It doesn't require a Relay if no need limit control function.
Product Description:

Product Name

Programmable combo meter AVC-30A

Power Supply

DC5-40V (external/Internal power supply)

Measuring range

(1) Volt 0~90.0V / Amp 0~200.0A, external power supply
(2) Volt 5~40.0V / Amp 0~200.0A, Internal Power supply

Display Type

7 segment 4digits Red LED

Sampling rate

5 readings per second

Accuracy

Volt ± 0.1% + 2byte / Amp ± 0.5% + 3byte

Resolution

0.01V, 0.01A, 0.01W, 0.01Ah, 0.01H

Protect Type
OCP, OAH, OVP, OPP, OFT, LOP

Protection value OCP 0.01~ Upper limit
OAH 0.01Ah~9999Ah
OVP 0.1V~99.99V
OPP 0.01W~9999W
OFT 0.01H~99.99H
Dimensions

79mm×43mm×30mm

Size of mounting hole

76.5mm×39.2mm

Meter Weight

60g

Shunt + Board weight

175

[LeaseOnLife]

Originally Posted by surfmachine

Hi again.
Can you please tell me if a dc controlled solid state relay, rated for controlling ac voltage at 480Volts and 90 amps, would work when switching a DC voltage of 12V and max 40 amps?
I was going to use this relay as a switch to short out the positive and negative outputs from my wind gennies and act as a braking switch, With a big blocking diode on the positive wire to the battery to stop reverse curren flow back to the genny.

I have found a device that monitors voltage and current from a source and can be programmed to activate a dc control relay when certain parameters are met. This will control the ssr relay.

Specifications:
Product Name: Solid State Relay
Material: Metal, Plastic, Electric Parts
Type: SSR90DA
Working Current: 90A
Input: DC 3-32V
Output: AC 24-480V
Size (Approx.): 5.7 x 4.5 x 3.2cm/ 2.2" x 1.8" x 1.2" (L*W*T)
Main Color: Black, Clear
Weight: 92g

Keith

probably not. I think this SSR is made with a couple of thyristors for the AC side.

Thyristor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thyristors can be turned on, but rely on AC to be switched off (when voltage & current reverses). When switching DC with a thyristor, they can't be turned off. No good for your purpose.

Dirk

[hellosailor]

Keith-
What Dirk suggests is common. Usually if the SSR can handle both AC and DC on the output, it would say so. And you may find SSRs generate radio interference. I'd suggest a conventional relay, chosen for a low power drain, unless you find an SSR that is rated for DC.
I think Elite Element is located in Shenzhen, and if you email them they may be able to supply a suitable relay or SSR with the unit, if you give them a few days to figure it out.

[surfmachine]

Thanks guys.
The SSR has a dc control side, that switches the contacts on and off. It is independent from the switched circuit. Some AC, SSR's use the actual circuit being switched on and off as part of the control for the switch. Maybe it would work if they are independent?

I will email Elite about a relay.

Cheers from Keith..........

[LeaseOnLife]

Originally Posted by surfmachine

Thanks guys.
The SSR has a dc control side, that switches the contacts on and off. It is independent from the switched circuit. Some AC, SSR's use the actual circuit being switched on and off as part of the control for the switch. Maybe it would work if they are independent?

I will email Elite about a relay.

Cheers from Keith..........

Keith,

it is more expensive to produce a DC switching SSR. If the SSR90DA could do it, they would advertise it.

As hellosailor mentions, a simple, mechanical relay will suffice.

Go simple

Dirk

[surfmachine]

Ahoy mateys!
Thank you all for your careful and well considered advice, and the benefit of your experience, it is much appreciated!

What I have bought, is a single poly 140 watt solar panel, that has nearly the same performance as my two existing 135 watt solar panels. These three panels will be connected in parallel to an expensive 30 Amp, 12v/24v, MPPT controller, with data logging and load relays. These connected to three 160 amphour 12v agm batteries, in parallel. Also using a xantrex battery monitor.

The two wind gennys are hooked up to power monitor, via a shunt, with switching capabilities, to control two automatic relays to short out the wind gennys when in overcharge or overspeed. Also have two manual turn off switches for each of the wind gennys. In the tropics I have never had any trouble with wind gennys overcharging the batteries, but I always tie them off when leaving the boat or during passage making, now I will be able to use the stop switches as well as tying them off.

Only problem with the automatic turn off is that they will both have the negative lead to the battery as a common when they are shorted out, the positive feed is isolated with diodes. But, when they are running they both share the positive and negative lines to battery, so should not be a problem?

Also a 1 Kwatt, honda 240v genny driving a 40 amp sterling, dual battery charger, and a 1500/30000 watt 12v to 240 volt pure sine wave inverter to run the ship's rcd protected 240 power outlets, when required or to just use as a stand alone. I never use shore power, although the honda drives the shore power circuit, and that is what I will connect the inverter up to as well, with a manual switch.

The motor has a 70 amp alternator running an xantex, external, smart voltage regulator.

Hopefully it should run the yacht's power requirements in the tropics. Mainly a danfos bd50 fridge(6amps) and all led lights, fans, music, laptop, and some other variable, small loads.

All the best from Keith.