Jump to content

Combiner boxes confusion


Recommended Posts

Hey Guys

 

Just got myself a 5kw kodak axpert king and 6 x Canada 330w panels.

 

To my surprise, I was told that I need a combiner box and from all my youtube surfing 😊, it seemed like this is a small sub 1k cost but I now see that these boxes are pretty expensive. So my question, what exactly is needed for coc in terms of combiner box and all the breaker / cut off switches etc. (would be great if someone can point me at a place where I can see a coc checklist for Johannesburg, couldn't see anything)?

 

Also, when I look at something like this: https://thepowerstore.co.za/collections/solar-accessories/products/1000v-combiner-box-2-inputs-1-outputs-32a-isolator-type-i_ii-spd, they aren't saying what the max current is per string but if it's 2 inputs and, my panel puts out just over 10amps max, does that mean I can only have 1 panel per input so I would need to buy 3 of these? That doesn't seem to make sense.

Thanks for the help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome TBohnen

You will need a string combiner like the one in your link. I guess you have 2 strings of 3 panels in series, so you will connect 1 string to an input and combined the 2 strings as one output to the inverter MPPT

That price is really expensive, I currently sell 2 in i out with a fuse on the + and - of both stings, and a Lightning arrestor as well as a No-Arc Breaker/Isolator in an IP65 enclosure for R2250 plus R99 transport. 

Only problem, my supplier is out of Fuse holders so Ill only be able to supply again in January. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the reply @Jaco de Jongh, will definitely consider yours, the linked price does seem pretty high. When in Jan and I assume it will pass a coc?

Correct, 2 strings of 3 panels. The total ocv will then be ~120Volts and max current will be around ~33Amps as far as I can tell.

With the one you supply, what is the current rating per string?

Would help if you have specs of yours?

Edited by TBohnen
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, TBohnen said:

Would help if you have specs of yours?

Fuse holder rated at 25 amp 1000volt DC

No Arc breaker rating is 32 Amp DC

Surge arrestor is rated 40Ka 600volt DC

And I use 12.5 Amp 1000 volt DC fuses for panels supplying 10 A plus and 10amp fuses for panels supplying less than 10 Amps. 

I should receive the Fuse holders second week of Jan. 

 

Edit: And yes they do pass COC. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

41 minutes ago, Jaco de Jongh said:

Fuse holder rated at 25 amp 1000volt DC

No Arc breaker rating is 32 Amp DC

Surge arrestor is rated 40Ka 600volt DC

And I use 12.5 Amp 1000 volt DC fuses for panels supplying 10 A plus and 10amp fuses for panels supplying less than 10 Amps. 

I should receive the Fuse holders second week of Jan. 

 

Edit: And yes they do pass COC. 

Great, thanks, will let you know if I can't find anything sooner.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...