I have little experience with arc fault detection because I do not use them offgrid. Could it save one from starting a wildfire? My experience is I have never had a ground mount start a wildfire and even a bad panel is pretty contained in a failure.
I just know that I make a small fortune replacing grid tie inverter AFD's that failsafe in the no solar mode. Definitely do not want another way to lose power offgrid. There are plenty already:) Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar "we go where powerlines don't" http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ [1] e-mail offgridso...@sti.net [2] text 209 813 0060 On Fri, 15 May 2020 11:03:11 -0700, Jay wrote: Hi William, that warning isn't on the AFCI one, Jay Peltz power. On May 15, 2020, at 10:41 AM, William Miller wrote: Jay: On the FM100 landing page [3]. The warning is pasted below. _Due to the different voltage ratings, OutBack Power does not recommend mixing the FM100-300VDC with the FM60 or FM80-150VDC controllers on the same battery bank._ Interestingly the warning is not seen on the FM100 AFCI landing page [4]. I thought I saw this also in one of the Owner's manuals but I looked today and can't find it there. Interesting... I have a client that wants to add a fourth PV array to a system with three FM80s. This will require a fourth charge controller. Being able to run smaller wire in the existing conduits is an attractive proposition, making the FM100 a desirable approach. I now have to figure out if I can add the FM100-AFCI (which is apparently the only version available) to a system with three FM80s, and if I do, what do I do with the existing GFDI breaker and how do I arrange the DC bond? There is a lot to consider here. BTW, I was told by a tech support person for an on-line sales firm that the original FM100 did not have the AFCI but those units have been discontinued. Now all FM100s have the AFCI capability. I am weighing if I want AFCI if it is not required. My territory includes central California wild lands so I suppose I should take advantage of any fire safety means at my disposal... William FROM: Jay [mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com [5]] SENT: Friday, May 15, 2020 7:34 AM TO: will...@millersolar.com [6]; RE-wrenches SUBJECT: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback FM100 Hi William Yes downsizing breaker to meet load is no problem. And getting wire that big into it with 1" KO is a pain. I'm pretty sure any hub will work, needs 3S mate Where in the manual did you find the "don't mix with other 60/80 controllers? Jay Peltz power On May 15, 2020, at 12:46 AM, William Miller wrote: Friends: I have occasion to try the FM100 charge controller. I am wondering of anyone had found any quirks with implementing this device. I have a few specific questions: 1. I want to avoid AFCI unless mandated. Will this be defeated if I don't run the leads through the sense coil? (There is an AFCI and non-AFCI version but I can't seem to find the non-AFCI version anywhere.) 2. I noticed the manual indicates you are not supposed to mix the FM100 with the FM80 or 60 in the same battery system. This negates it for one project I had in mind. I am curious as to why this is. Anyone know? 3. Will the FM100 work with a standard hub? 4. I suppose this unit requires a 125 amp breaker. If the PV array cannot support that full 100 amps I might down-size the OCPD accordingly. Anyone contemplate this question? Thanks in advance. William _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org [8] Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org [9] List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html [10] List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm [11] Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org [12] _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org Links: ------ [1] http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ [2] mailto:offgridso...@sti.net [3] http://outbackpower.com/products/charge-controllers/flexmax-100 [4] http://outbackpower.com/products/charge-controllers/flexmax-100-afci [5] mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com [6] mailto:will...@millersolar.com [7] mailto:will...@millersolar.com [8] mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org [9] http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org [10] http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html [11] http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm [12] http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
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