Found a cheap near new Vicrton MPPT 150/70 online. I couldn’t resist. I plan on running 12 panels in 3S4P configuration. The terminals on this beast take 35mm2 – for both the solar input and the battery output. I don’t have roof space yet, but have a few ideas 😛
I started work on the system yesterday by completing the DC cabling on the lean-to. I installed the branch connectors and then cut custom lengths of cable and terminated with the required MC4 connectors. I used large zip ties to tidy up the wiring. I then went back to the wiring inside the shed. here…
Before starting on the inverter (Victron SmartSolar 150/35) I connected the DC Cable to the rooftop isolator. This involved terminating the cable with male and female MC4 connectors. I used the correct crimp tool (Narva brand) with the #12 crimp insert. I then connected to the output of the rooftop isolator and temporarily cable tied…
Today I fixed the rooftop solar isolator to the rails and did some cabling. The first step was to fix the solar rooftop isolator to the top rail. I used a 6.5mm drill bit to drill two holes into the rail and then used an 8mm tap to tap a thread into the holes. I…
Today I completed the install of the earth wire and the 6 panels. I started by adding the earth clamps to the rail and attaching the earth wire. It’s important to bond each rail to earth, and for there to be no joins in the earth wire. As I have four rails, I needed four…
Before installing the panels, I wanted to make sure they were all OK. I performed two tests: Short Circuit Current – Using a current clamp to measure current. Insulation Test using a Megger Short Circuit Current This step is rather easy. Simple connect the positive and negative plugs together on your solar panel and point…
Fathers day! What better day to install solar racking. Here are some progress shots. The first step was working out the spacing of the feet. My first attempt wasn’t so successful. I was using this spacing method: Foot – 5 empty Ridges – Foot – 4 empty Ridges – Repeat It became obvious using this…
We are in Week 8 of Covid lockdown and I wanted something to do on the weekends and as I haven’t done much on my power wall of late I figured adding more solar would be a good small project. My shed currently has 12 panels and the lean-to has enough room for 6 panels….
I wanted to balance all 14 cells so I created a makeshift wiringloom that allowed me to create effectively a 2S 147P battery. The cells were all fairly close, so the balancing current was low. It was dodgy. Next time I wont make it like this