Houseboat Forums Forums - ABYC Requirements and Solar Panels

Houseboat Forums

new topic join help calendar home
	Administered by The Pirate	latest topics : statistics

Hide

Enter login information

Categories

New Forum
Houseboating
Maintenance
Boatkeeping/San...
Houseboat Renta...
Vintage Housebo...
Classifieds
Great Gourmet '...
Holiday Mansion...
From the Editor...

advanced search

Topic Title: ABYC Requirements and Solar Panels
Topic Summary: Safety for solar array over 50 DC volts
Created On: 02/03/2011 03:39:50 PM

Linear : Threading : Single : Branch

Topic Tools

Print this topic.

02/03/2011 03:39:50 PM
endurance Member Posts: 135 Joined: 11/01/2005	I am considering the addition of solar panels. I am planning to install something in the range of 1250 watts of solar panels and an Outback 80 amp MPPT controller. I am looking at six panels of 200 to 210 watts each. A typical panel maximum voltage is 18.7 volts DC. For the sake of both system efficiency and minimizing wire size from the panels to the controller, I would like to have two strings of three solar panels each. The problem with that is that it would be possible with perfect solar conditions to have each string of panels produce power at 56 volts (18.7 volts X 3). I am confident that three panels in series with proper fuses would be safe. Still, 56 volts is more than the 50 volts that ABYC contemplates for DC wiring. I don't read ABYC as prohibiting DC voltage over 50 volts, but have a concern that an inspector or surveyor might have a problem with it. I'd appreciate any thoughts on the subject.
Top : Bottom

02/03/2011 04:36:20 PM
OLD HOUSEBOATER Super moderator Posts: 1520 Joined: 10/18/2002	You don't believe that "Forgiveness is better than Permission"? ------------------------- OLD HOUSEBOATER
Top : Bottom

02/03/2011 04:47:43 PM
stmbtwle Admiral Posts: 2142 Joined: 04/22/2003	You could use three strings of two panels; The Outback should be adjustable to that. ------------------------- Willie She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw
Top : Bottom

02/04/2011 10:20:38 AM
endurance Member Posts: 135 Joined: 11/01/2005	Many thanks for the good advice. I think you're both right: One of the good things about the Outback MPPT controllers is that as long as the input voltage is higher than the voltage of the battery bank they're charging (12 in my case) and less than 150, they are happy. I am tempted to go with the forgiveness if better than permission approach. If I keep the input voltage a little higher with two strings of three panels each, I will be able to use smaller wire. The real advantage of higher voltage is that the panels are likely to go above 12 volts and start making electricity earlier in the morning and keep it up later in the afternoon. If some inspector happens to stop by at high noon on a clear cold day and has a problem with input voltage slightly over 50 volts, I can always keep the same controller but pull some bigger wires and have three strings of two panels. At that's what I'll work toward unless someone like Ike comes along and tells me I'm all wet.
Top : Bottom

02/04/2011 11:30:07 AM
OLD HOUSEBOATER Super moderator Posts: 1520 Joined: 10/18/2002	Reality: your quoting textbook specs on an optimal day, brand new squeeky clean panels and everything tuned to the nines. Ain't gonna happen very often. IMHO your OK. . ------------------------- OLD HOUSEBOATER
Top : Bottom

02/04/2011 01:53:33 PM
FranticallyRelaxing Admiral Posts: 370 Joined: 09/10/2006	I tested my less-than-one-month-old 100w panel, rated to attain "7 amps max"... tested on a 90° July day, nary a cloud nor whiff of smog anywhere, sun pointed straight down at the thing, and got a highest reading of 5.4 amps. The only way I could ever imagine it producing more amperage is if it got hit by lightning. ------------------------- 1988 SkipperLiner 53x14 1995 Tracker Party Cruiser 32 for sale 2003 Chaparral 260 SSI 2000 Allegro Bus 40' DP
Top : Bottom

02/05/2011 02:09:19 AM
harvrbt Member Posts: 179 Joined: 08/07/2009	The highest rating is with perfect sunlight on a cold day. Like anything electrical heat causes resistance and will drop your production. If you had perfect sun on a 20 degree day you would be hitting max power output. Fred ------------------------- Yesterday was the best day of my life..... I bought a Houseboat!! Check out our blog of our houseboat refurbish!! http://fredsfriendlyblogspot.blogspot.com/
Top : Bottom

02/20/2011 05:29:18 PM
Ike Admiral Posts: 264 Joined: 07/24/2006	ABYC divides voltages up into low voltage, below 50 volts, and high voltage anything 50 volts or more ac OR dc. So if you follow the high voltage standards you will be set.The rules for AC are for high voltage. By the way the USCG also divides voltage into high and low at 50 volts. ------------------------- Ike "Don't tell me I can't. Tell me how I can!" New Boat Builders Home Page My Boating Safety Blog My Boat Building News Blog
Top : Bottom

FORUMS : Maintenance : ABYC Requirements and Solar Panels

Topic Tools

Statistics

2983 users are registered to the Houseboat Forums forum.

There are currently 0 users logged in.