SilverNodashi

Thanx. I'll get in touch with them. I wonder if it will work with an Axpert, and a home-made wind generator (which I still need to build..)

Thanx. Can those work with LED lights? The 500W and 800W rating makes me think otherwise?

This is just my opinion, but it may not be worth the extra cash for a 5KW system, if you only spike to 4.8Kw occasionally. We use a 4Kw Axpert with PV during the day, use the dish washer, clothes washer, kettle, microwave, hair driver, TV, etc. The only difference is, don't use two heavy usage items together. The dish washer consumes about 250W, for 3 hours! The kettle, 2Kw for 5 minutes.

A 105Ah deep cycle battery lasts 3-4 days... have tested it recently. So I'm going to try it with a 150W panels and see how it goes.

I'm not referring to theft. But, what if you want to upgrade, or replace a broken panel in the future? I am planning on using my setup for more than 20 years and need to plan ahead, with the least amount of damage. P.S. You can PM me your methods if you want to

So how do you remove them if you have to? I thought a bit of grease on the ball, which can stick to a screwdriver or something would easily remove them when needed? What about plastic / ceramic balls? They're not magnetic

Wow, I didn't know that. Will pop by Bearingman sometime... What size balls did you get? And what size is the allan-cap? (My installation is a bit far just to go check quickly)

I understand what you're saying w.r.t the under/over charging of batteries, which is why you shouldn't mix them. But, I still wonder if there is a way around this, apart from using multiple smaller charge controllers, connected to each battery individually - which would probably cost a small fortune on it's own.

Quick question: where did you get the ball bearings, apart from breaking open some wheel bearings?

I have actually considered building an alarm of sorts, which will scream when the panels disconnect from the frame. The problem is, everything is open accessible so it can be disabled quite easily. Will give it some thought again.

I don't have a scope ;(

My question was more related to the fact that two different batteries are used, and they're possibly a different age. This is controversial to solar where one wouldn't use two different (age and rating) batteries. This brings me to another question, what if the same principles (with the relay) is being used in a solar setup where two different batteries are used, in the same bank?

Aah, ok. Makes good sense. But, I guess, if they really really want to steal the panels, other (power) tools could be used to remove said mid clamps?

I guess that's because copper is a better conductor of electricity, than aluminium? makes sense

please explain the relays a bit more?

Wish I could find an efficient way to tils 12x 255W panels on a normal pitched tile roof.

build a small gym for the town and connect all the treadmills to generators

So, would one need to run a separate copper wire to each panel, or would the metal (aluminium) frames of the panels and panel mounts be sufficient?

Take off / subtract 20-30% of your calculations for inefficiencies and losses in cable, PC angle, pollution, etc. 4x 250W panels would probably deliver closer to 800W on average, and you probably won't get it for the full 6 hours.

Yup, if they cycle 3 times a day, then either battery bank is too small (i.e. kwh), or the PV array is too small Calculate how many watt/kilowatt you need, for at least 15 hours, add say 20-30% to that and your battery bank shouldn't have to cycle 3 times per day. Then make sure you have enough PV Kw to recharge that bank within 5-6 hours.

Can't you mount some solar panels on the leaf?

What ball, into what allen-cap?

The PWM charge controller will work, but not as efficient as the MPPT charge controller. i.e. you may not necessarily get 30A, but perhaps more like 26A. I can't see why what you want todo won't work. The only problem / caveat is, how big is the UPS battery bank, and is it really worth-it?

You have 300watt solar PV and need to charge 2400W. With only 5 hours, you'll charge about 1,200w (let's say there's 20% losses). Without knowing what load you put on the panels / batteries, and knowing how deep you discharge them before the sun rises the next day, it's difficult to know whether the solar PV is too small, or the charge controller is faulty. Or perhaps it's a PWM type charge controller? MPPT charge controllers will give better efficiency and it might solve the problem. Or, perhaps another 2 panels, in order to meet the demand?