question

sunblocks avatar image
sunblocks asked

Can you check over my pv install design please?

Hi

my first post in the community and i am here looking for some assistance...

I have purchased the main components that i hope can be assembled to work as an off grid power station. The equipment list is as follows:

4 x 450W pv panels

2 x SmartSolar 130/35 controllers

1 x 12v 720 Ahr lead acid battery pack (2v cells)

1 x BMV-712 battery monitor

1 x 12v 3000W pure sine inverter

I have also purchased various fuse holders and fuses, plus cables

Intend to build this kit into a 7.5 tonne truck - with the panels mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

As this is my first time installing this type of equipment i would really appreciate some advice to ensure i dont make any mistakes.

happy to arrange a call if you can help

cheers



installation
1 comment
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ingo21 avatar image ingo21 commented ·

4x 450 panels with 2 solarcontroller is

about 900 watt per solarcontroller , which is at 12 volt about 75 amps

you will need either bigger controllers or more of them

the smartsolar mppt 150/70 can do max 1000watt with a 12 volt system




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3 Answers
cargol66 avatar image
cargol66 answered ·

Hi Sunblocks,

have you a diagram to understand a little bit more what you intend to do ?

Don't forget fuse and switch on positive battery wire.

As you are off-grid I advice you a battery protector to disconnect battery when 40- 50% SOC reached. Beware, this is a directionnal device, current only flows in one direction.

https://www.victronenergy.com/battery_protect/battery-protect

Do you mean MPPT 150/35 ?

How do you connect your panel ? 4 x 450 Wp gives you 1800 Wp or 150 A under 12V

In 12V system, MPPT 150/35 can only manage 500 W solar panel power, so you have 2 extra panels, or controler will limit power to 500 W.

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Datasheet-SmartSolar-charge-controller-MPPT-150-35-&-150-45-EN.pdf

Your battery gives you about 4 kWh stored energy.

With only two panels you have to reduce daily consumption to 2 kWh to keep your battery full in center of France between may and august.

you can manage simulation online with PVGIS:

https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/

In 12V system, a 3000 W inverter needs 250 A current at full power. If you really need such power may be you have to work with 24V or 48V (lower wire section )

In that case you have to manage the balance of your series batteries with equalization charge (once a week) or by use of battery balancers.

During charge process, as it's opened battery, beware of hydrogen production, battery should be in a ventilated area.

If you wire more than two solar panel in parallel, you have to use fuses to connect panels together.

fuse rated value should be lower or equal than the Maximum Series Fuse value (see the panel datasheet or manufacturer label)

Regards.

Bruno.

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sunblocks avatar image
sunblocks answered ·

Hi @Cargol66 @Ingo21 thanks for replying to my post.

Here is a rough diagram of what i want to install:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11zAtDikUTYh5eksgxvjQN8dw99L5owtN/view?usp=share_link

i have not included wiring and fuzes

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cargol66 avatar image
cargol66 answered ·

Hi,

according your diagram, i guess you have two 450 W solars panel for one MPPT.

As explained before, MPPT manage only 500 W power so Extra panel is useless...

Would you send me the manufacturer and ref of your panel ?

Regards.

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