Advise welcome I’m planning 4 strings to a 8KW Sunsynk. I am thinking of using this box to bring in 4 strings and out with 4 strings to the inverter. Would this box be sufficient or is there better options? Should I use two of these boxes?

4 x strings of 5 x 450W 

16 minutes ago, 87 Dream said:

Can you open her up so we can see her on the inside?

Unfortunately I took the photo while at the supplier today and did not look inside, I also agree about not using the dc switches. Do you think I could remove the dc switches and fit two extra sets of surge protection units so that each string has protection before going into the inverter? Or I was hoping to find a 4 string ready off the shelf unit.

27 minutes ago, 87 Dream said:

Otherwise you can buy the same enclosure from Voltex & get the fuse and holders along with the Surge stuff & do it yourself.

Thanks for the advice, I will look into the Voltex option as that makes sense, at this time it’s still just the planing stage, With my own system I did build my own combiner box it was for two strings though, it’s not the best looking thing but it was done with what I had lying around in the garage as the budget was too tight to allow new off the shelf stuff. This system though is for a customer and will have to be top notch.

@87 Dream did you get the surge protection from Voltex? I'm busy planning to construct my own combiner box too 

12 hours ago, 87 Dream said:

Hi Gerrie, this is good for four ✅ strings.

Can you open her up so we can see her on the inside? Is she prewired already? 

If this is a pre bought unit I could understand. Because you do not need the DC switches. The Fuse and cartridge units and breakers serve the same purpose. 

87

@87 Dream I have one question, in my case I have to strings of 6 X 410 W panels, they are all bolted to the same metal structure and the structure is connected to earth via an earth spike, so in theory all panels are grounded, would one surge arrester suffice? or do I need a surge arrester per string?

14 hours ago, 87 Dream said:

Hi Gerrie, this is good for four ✅ strings.

Can you open her up so we can see her on the inside? Is she prewired already? 

If this is a pre bought unit I could understand. Because you do not need the DC switches. The Fuse and cartridge units and breakers serve the same purpose. 

87

Why would you not need the DC switches? If you would like to isolate a sting, can you just pull the fuse holders? Are they rated to be operated under load?

Edited November 18, 20214 yr by PowerUser

Why are we calling this a "combiner box" , there's no combining of the PV strings (as in Victron parallel string approach), its a fuse box! Yes/No?

Here's a good example of Fuse Box, as usual quality is unknown when ordering from China;

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003279528659.html?srcSns=sns_Copy&spreadType=socialShare&bizType=ProductDetail&social_params=20389125709&aff_fcid=fbf6ef29bf4a49cab8da82399279f37a-1637225925976-05538-_ms4yaVG&tt=MG&aff_fsk=_ms4yaVG&aff_platform=default&sk=_ms4yaVG&aff_trace_key=fbf6ef29bf4a49cab8da82399279f37a-1637225925976-05538-_ms4yaVG&shareId=20389125709&businessType=ProductDetail&platform=AE&terminal_id=6ef4e37b6c1e4c24a3358f57e5f9f71f

11 hours ago, hoohloc said:

@87 Dream did you get the surge protection from Voltex? I'm busy planning to construct my own combiner box too 

@hoohloc you can get them at ACDC or Rubicon  Citel or  other DC brands.

23 hours ago, Gerrie said:

Advise welcome I’m planning 4 strings to a 8KW Sunsynk. I am thinking of using this box to bring in 4 strings and out with 4 strings to the inverter. Would this box be sufficient or is there better options? Should I use two of these boxes?

4 x strings of 5 x 450W 

My DIY fuse box for 2x strings 270 volts

2 minutes ago, Raj35 said:

My DIY fuse box for 2x strings 270 volts

Do you really need those fuses together with the NoArks?

7 hours ago, 87 Dream said:

I dunno maybe we all guilty of this but it has become a standard even online I guess to call it by this name...Then again its combining Surge and fuses...Unguz jo🤣

But it is a combiner box it combines the panels to the inverter 😂

My mistake the thread should probably be called a four string fuse box with surge protection.🙃

37 minutes ago, PowerUser said:

Do you really need those fuses together with the NoArks?

@PowerUser not really, I put them in for my convenience.

Edited November 18, 20214 yr by Raj35

@Gerrie the DIY route is far cheaper than buying them. 12way box from Voltex, Fuses and breakers optional from Rubicon. Surge arrestor from local shop in DBN and wire them up.

22 hours ago, Raj35 said:

My DIY fuse box for 2x strings 270 volts

Can you please remove the cover and show the wiring?