How I got 6000W of panels on one charge controller!

Featuring: Victron Energy MPPT RS 450/100

*Important* Please note: the 100 in the product description refers to the current limit of both combined arrays AFTER the voltage has been stepped down by the charge controller. For example: I have two strings of 12 panels that are listed at VMP 30.1 volts and IMP 8.3 amps. Both strings are wired in series so the amps of each string is around 8 amps. However, the charge controller steps down the voltage to charge the 48v system and may then send up to a max 100amps to the battery bank. In my system I have seen over 70amps coming from the controller, but AGAIN the solar panel strings themselves are only pushing around 8 amps through the solar wire! 450 is the voltage limit of each array. 100 is the TOTAL current limit of the charge controller after voltage is stepped down.

[douglasrobbie]

In reading the Victron 450/100 data sheet, it indicates that each mppt tracker can handle 18amps normal operating, 20 amp open circuit. So that would mean a total of 40 amps split evenly between the 2 trackers. If you were running at 450v at 18amps normal, that would be a 8100w solar array per tracker. If you are running at around 260v that would mean 260voc x 20amp = 5200 watts you have on each tracker. So your system pv loading is fine from what I can see- but you can't put 100 PV amps into the controller from the solar array. The 100 amps is the max output to a 48v (57v at bulk) battery bank so 100 amps x57v = 5700 watts into battery bank and maybe a bit more. Others have thought the 2 numbers on a MPPT are the PV input max #s (Volts and amps), but they relate to PV voltage max and the output to battery amperage max.

[tomcurran]

Thanks for the info. I'm setting 24 PVs on an off grid application near "Mayberry, " NC. Your mounting system is the best I've seen.

[PatricksDIY]

The 100AMPS on the charge controller has nothing to do with the solar panels....The 100 AMPS is what the charge controller is able to supply to the batteries, an MPPT charge controller only takes the current it needs to provide 100 AMPS to your batteries. It really worries me that so many people that deal with high voltage no nothing about what they are doing and is how people get hurt or burn down their home. Take your 6000 watts and divide that by your pack voltage, I'm assuming its 48 Volts, that end sup being 125 AMPS. The MOST that charge controller will provide at its peak is about 4, 800 Watts to your 48 nominal Volts system at 100 AMPS. Over Paneling is common and is not somethin new, as long as the supplied voltage does not go over the charge controllers rated voltage, because the charge controller will take whatever voltage you give it. The current on the other hand as I mentioned is what the charge controller regulates. Think of it like plugging in a 12 Volt 5 AMP power brick and you have one device that runs at 12 Volts 1 AMP and another that runs at 12 volts 5 AMPS. the power brick is not going to PUSH 5 AMPS to both devices, it will only push the current the devices are asking for, in this case 1AMP and 5 AMPS respectively. Now if you connected a 24 Volt power brick to either of those items, it would explode, or short etc, because the voltage is constant. But just wanted to put this out there it scares me that so many people that are messing with high voltage that think they know what they are doing and do not. If this was in a residential place it would need to be checked to ensure its up to code, since you are running voltages over 100 Volts. Think about it.

[tlteal]

Thank you for this video! What size PV wire are you running to your victron?

[Myk_EP]

would it work out better to have the different facing arrays hooked up to just one tracker in parallel? like 8 panels west in parallel with 8 panels east on one tracker? freeing up another tracker for more perhaps over paneling?

[tlteal]

When do you notice the fans turn on? Any specific wattage?

[carlosreyes]

Are you getting the voc, or imp voltage rating?

[carlosreyes]

So this charge controller, wont work unless you ground your solar panels?

[margarita]

would have more strings with east and west facing

[offgridwanabe]

Must be a low VOC on those panels as most 250 watt panels series at 12 panels would be over 450 volts.

[MJ-gejz]

Where did you get your Victron 450/100 charge controller?