Looks like a good solution for battery disconnect & not have to use a DC MCB, where can these units be acquired ?

https://solaradvice.co.za/product/keto-battery-disconnector-with-125a-fuses/ 

haven't bought from them 

Arc or Arc-free 

Has anyone pulled and opened one of these fuse disconnectors while its under load, I would like to know when it draws some larger current, did it make an arc or are the design arc free?

1 hour ago, Gerrie said:

Arc or Arc-free 

Has anyone pulled and opened one of these fuse disconnectors while its under load, I would like to know when it draws some larger current, did it make an arc or are the design arc free?

I accidentally pulled it open once under load, i thought the changeover switch was already flipped. it most certainly made a huge bang.

I suggest using it as it is intended to be used, as a fuse or for emergencies only (if you have no other emergency option).

 

 

Edited April 22, 20205 yr by stoic

1 hour ago, stoic said:

I suggest using it as it is intended to be used, as a fuse or for emergencies only (if you have no other emergency option).

It make sense to use it in emergencies only, It should than actually have a sign next to it stating “Do not open this link under load”

Inexperienced people could open it unknowingly and might cause a fire, I guess a circuit breaker would than be a better and safer option.

I bought mine from SetSolar but the price was way less than on their website!! Still cant work out from the .pdf how it is wired!!

On 2020/04/02 at 4:59 PM, Gordon said:

Looks like a good solution for battery disconnect & not have to use a DC MCB, where can these units be acquired ?

These work fine, I use them on the bulk of my installations.

4 hours ago, Gerrie said:

Has anyone pulled and opened one of these fuse disconnectors while its under load,

Have pulled them under load, did draw some arc, but if you yank it open fast, it reduces the arc a lot. 

1 hour ago, Gerrie said:

I guess a circuit breaker would than be a better and safer option.

A DC breaker with ratings over 100Amp is really expensive, i have tried 2 different cheaper ones so far and both burned the points first time I opened them under load although they were rated for 500VDC, So if you want to use a breaker, look for a reputable moulded case breaker. 

What batteries are you using? The pylontech have an on-off switch, so when under load, one turns the batteries off before throwing the switch. 

Besides, in an emergency, turn the inverter off first, then throw the switch. 

1 hour ago, FixAMess said:

Besides, in an emergency, turn the inverter off first, then throw the switch. 

might be a problem if the inverter is on fire 🤣.

2 hours ago, FixAMess said:

in an emergency, turn the inverter off first, then throw the switch. 

The problem is if a the wife or child has to switch off it becomes a problem. I was thinking when money is no problem then there are nice ABB breakers with a trip function on them that you wire to a emergency stop button. You fit the E/S at a accessible location and that will trip the ABB breaker. I’m just not sure if ABB make them in a DC breaker I know the AC ones are available.

On 2020/04/22 at 4:12 PM, Gerrie said:

The problem is if a the wife or child has to switch off it becomes a problem. I was thinking when money is no problem then there are nice ABB breakers with a trip function on them that you wire to a emergency stop button. You fit the E/S at a accessible location and that will trip the ABB breaker. I’m just not sure if ABB make them in a DC breaker I know the AC ones are available.

This sounds like a really good idea..