solar panel pics

[wagoneer]

my huge solar panel

 

[wagoneer]

sorry that is a bad pic try this one

 

[wagoneer]

My question is whats the voltage of this panel that blew my morningstar MPPT

 

[LowTech]

It looks like it can put out 20 amps, the charge controller you had is only rated for 15 amps.

It's the amps that can do the controller killing.

 

[VJG1977]

http://www.bizlinktech.com/pdf/Cata... ECO Junction Box for Crystalline Modules.pdf

This is a .pdf for the junction box pictured.  The panel should have another data plate.

 

[wagoneer]

I see no other info perhaps inside the black cover?

 

[B and C]

Have you tried taking an open circuit voltage reading from it?  This would at least give a starting point for research on panels with comparative open circuit voltages.  My panels have a sticker on the back with the specifics.  Someone must have removed it.  I think your panel was originally for off-grid tie (house) and they operate at much higher voltages than the ones normally used on RV's.

 

[LowTech]

I see no other info perhaps inside the black cover?

Is there nothing "outside" the cover and just on the back of the panel? That cover doesn't cover the whole panel does it?

I use "grid tie" high volt panels as well.

 

[wagoneer]

squat zip nada perhaps a 48 volt ? this panel is huge I have a large 60 amp morningstar MPPT, but will fuse before installing. And no it just weather protects the wiring. perhaps 6 x 8" at best the panel is 4' x 5.5 '

 

[wagoneer]

I have 2 x 20 Amp breakers and would like to protect the controller it was over 500 bucks and I will take NO risk, fuse the + side or the - side? at the battery or closer to the controller or both sides. HA Ha the gloves are off. Thank you all for the assistance , the fireside talks are on the house. Adrian

 

[B and C]

I put my fuses all on the positive side as it is always looking for a ground and grounds are everywhere.  SW will probably chime in.  This is right up his alley although I don't recall him posting the last few days.

 

[highdesertranger]

I believe those numbers are ratings for what the junction block can handle. notice the 1KV, no single panel is rated at 1KV. that's 1,000 volts. numbers like these are common on electrical parts. they are just maximum for what the junction box is rated for. highdesertranger

 

[wagoneer]

If you had to venture a guess, what's the highest volt rated panel? 48?

 

[B and C]

I would hesitate to make a guess.  I don't have grid tie panels.  Disconnecting the panel and taking a voltage reading in bright daylight will give an approximation of the open circuit voltage and that can be used to compare to other panels to find out what it might be.  Poly panel or mono?  Number of cells?  I think this can be used to figure it out too.

 

[jimindenver]

All I use is high voltage panels and in that size it could be anything from 230w to 280w. The Voc shouldn't have been high enough to blow a Morningstar 15a MPPT but the panel definitely could have caused some clipping and heating up of the controller.


is there any possibility that you may have hooked up the controller with reversed polarity? In some controllers it will blow a fuse, others it will fry. The same can be true when having the panel hooked up before the battery is.

I use the Morningstar TS-MPPT-60 to run my 750w system. Let me know if I can help in setting it up.

 

[GotSmart]

How about a picture of the front?


AS well as size and approx age?

It is looking like it is an old item.

 

[wagoneer]

Thanks you but no It's been working for 2 years. I re-checked and just fried . I will install my MorningStar 60 Mppt but with a fuse.

 

[wagoneer]

I will take a pic of the panel and share I'ts dark so AM before or after work. Thanks

 

[GotSmart]

By the measurement and number of cells, it can be determined the voltage of the panel.  From there it should be easy to identify what it is from what has been historically on the market.  The rough age is also a clue.

 

[wagoneer]

I count 60 cells 6 x 10