Fitting solar from scratch

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by 1973daisey, Jun 22, 2017.

  1. Skyelectrix

    Skyelectrix Supporter

    excellent info! Thanks for sharing, will be really useful when I get closer to the end of our restoration!
     
  2. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    @mikedjames How do you tell the difference between a MPPT with ‘a couple of transistors on a bit of aluminium sheet, some resistors and a voltage regulator diode’ and one with ‘a microprocessor equipped switchmode power supply’?
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2017
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  3. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

  4. theBusmonkey likes this.
  5. Yes

    Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
     
  6. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    And Zedders, but does it have a heat sink or a microprocessor? And does it really matter?
     
  7. It does have a heatsink and yes pretty sure it doesn't shave a microprocessor. @theBusmonkey researched controllers a lot.

    Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
     
  8. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Yeah @pkrboo is correct :thumbsup:, 77 Westy. The outer casing is the heat sink and whilst it's been three years or so since I fitted it to the bus IIRC it has all the correct gubbins inside (toroidal thing inside):rolleyes::rolleyes:, to make it a genuine MPPT unit.

    Are there better ones available? Probably! But tbh our unit has done everything we've needed it to in some fairly extreme conditions & on that basis I've recently bought a second one for the syncro build. As you say, Zed bought the same after we had lots of chattyness over his solar instal.
    Here's a review...;)
     
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  9. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    @theBusmonkey
    Thanks for the info – that’s the one I’ve decided to buy.
     
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  10. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    the same bloke who did the review has another on the tube where he wires his panels in series. I've not done that yet as I haven't really felt the need but he does get some interesting results it seems regarding efficiency.
    May have a play one day when I can be bothered...or not haha, and just leave that to the 'lectronics specialists.
     
  11. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    So this is the one I'd had bookmarked to buy when the time comes.... does it look like the right job?
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20A-MPPT-...714184&hash=item1c8c1e8960:g:MtkAAOSw4GVYU~GS
     
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  13. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

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  14. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

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  15. Yep, I've got one of those badged as an Epever Tracer. Mine is the 20a version and I now have the battery temperature sensor fitted too. It works beautifully. I find that the MT50 extra display is worth having as I like to see what its up to from inside the bus. Its so nice going to bed each evening with full batteries regardless of the beer fridge running 24/7 and we use lights, charge whatever, use the Propex etc. and no bother indefinitely.
     
  16. Hi can you tell me 911c2ff401e17a1ea19630bb440a784f.jpg where I can get this cable track from so i can do the same now im fitting my solor panel
     
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  17. Your the man thank you I been looking but struggled to find it :hattip:
     
  18. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    Just about to get the last few bits for my solar project (got the 100w panel and controller box already)..... @1973daisey - the 5m extension cable, did you need one or two of these as I see Photonic Universe sell either single or a pair. Don't want to buy more than necessary. Gonna start my own thread about this in advance of techenders to make sure I'm all set, but thought I'd ask ya first here. Cheers.
     

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