Larry's advise is good for us pros, but I find many customers get mixed
up and have a harder time properly programming today's MPPT
controllers. If the programming gets messed up, much worse things can
happen, and its hard to troubleshoot over the phone.
I just advise they turn some of the sub arrays off at the combiner box,
when gone for long periods of time.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 10/28/2013 5:08 PM, Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems wrote:
Jeremy,
This is often the scenario for many of my customers in Mexico: owners are
absent for 5-8 months. Batteries will last longer if charged slowly at lower
voltages. But, getting a full charge daily with a PV solar resource sometimes
takes longer time than there is sunlight available. For this reason, I use an
aggressive charge regime of higher voltages and longer absorption time on
batteries that are daily cycled. However, higher voltage and long charge will
shorten the life of batteries that are not being cycled or are shallow cycled.
My advice is to reprogram the controller for 2.36 Vpc and absorb time of 1
hour. This voltage will prevent much water loss. If the bank is healthy, they
can last for many months with these settings. Be sure to check and equalize if
more than 0.015 SG cell to cell difference is detected over that time. Also
equalize well before putting back in cycle use next time.
Larry
On Oct 28, 2013, at 3:37 PM, "All Solar, Inc." <allso...@scswifi.net> wrote:
Hello
Is there any reason to adjust a charge controllers bulk or other settings if
there will be very minimal loads on the battery bank for 5-6 months ? Just had
a client ask me that about his new MN classic.
Thank you
Jeremy Rodriguez
All Solar
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