I’m going to let everyone look up my kilt here a little, as I attempt to organize my thoughts around an incremental and total overhaul of the East Jesus power system. Doing this publicly, I hope, will serve two purposes: 1) to share information to any interested parties in the spirit of Open Source Everything, myself included! and 2) to help keep me focused. I’m always sharper with a little stage fright. Comments and questions are welcome and encouraged.

as of today, we have a 12V system with the following components:

  • 8x Concord SunXtender 255AH 12V batteries
  • 6x Interstate Workaholic 6V golf cart batteries
  • Xantrex ProSine 2000 pure sine inverter
  • Honda EU3000i generator
  • Honda EU1000i generator
  • 16x Kyocera 150W PV panels, in three legs: 2 x 3, 2 x 3, 2 x 2, each leg feeding one of:
  • 3x Outback FlexMax80 MPPTs
  • AirBreeze 200W 12V wind generator (more of a toy and/or science project than a generator, but it definitely helps in winter! in odd circumstances such as these, it can even come close to providing all the power East Jesus uses!)

and, waiting in the wings, components for upgrade to 48V system:

  • Outback VFX-3648 pure sine inverter
  • 8x ASE 300W mil-spec PV panels
  • 50x Suntech 25W PV panels
  • 24x C&D 4000AH Pb-Ca 2V cells

Given the failure of one of the MPPTs (see previous entry,) now seems like a good time to begin. At the end of the process, we will have a smaller 12V system and a very large 48V system; the 12V system will power and be powered by those components which are fixed at 12VDC – the wind generator, radio equipment – and a small cluster of PVs on one MPPT, and will serve as interim backup power in case of 48V system failure. While we’re tearing everything apart, we need to test the golf cart batteries and AGMs and probably equalize the former. Additionally, we wish to minimize power down time. The generators may be called upon to power mission-critical loads (computer & network, radios, NOAA equipment and work lights, interior and exterior.)

And now, the procedure (TBD after 8am [wx] on a sunny morning)….

PHASE ONE – RECONFIGURE 12VDC SYSTEM

  • disconnect AC loads from ProSine and divert to running generator.
  • shut down all MPPTs, put AirBreeze in BRAKE mode.
  • disconnect ProSine from 12V system.
  • physically relocate ProSine, about 8″ to the left.
  • reconnect golf cart batteries (& 12V loads,) leftmost MPPT and wind generator to ProSine (note: Honda 3000 30A feed remains connected to ProSine; must make available to Outback inverter also, preferably panel-switchable.)
  • reconnect AC loads to ProSine. mini-12V system is now complete.

PHASE TWO – ESTABLISH 48VDC SYSTEM

  • test AGMs, retire any stinkers (this will leave either all 8 or only 4 batteries in the bank.)
  • connect AGMs together as 48V array.
  • install Outback inverter, connect DC buss to AGMs.
  • install Outback Mate & Hub, program.
  • combine Kyocera PV legs “S” and “N” at input stage of middle MPPT, connect to inverter DC buss.
  • install inverter AC Out box (simple, to be upgraded later)
  • divert AC loads to 48V system.
  • add Kyocera PV leg “AUX” to middle MPPT (robbing the last PV array from the 12V system, freeing up left MPPT.)
  • remove ProSine from 12V system, install in Walter.

PHASE THREE – INTERIM PREPARATIONS

  • float-charge golf cart batteries, top off with water, disconnect, test, equalize.
  • construct platform and for 300W PV panels and enclosure for Monster Battery farm.
  • test 300W PV panels.
  • test 25W PV panels.
  • design 25W panel array.
  • send defective MPPT in for replacement.
  • charge, test, characterize, equalize Monster Batteries.
  • upgrade 48V AC Out breaker panel.
  • acquire 10kW diesel generator – Listeroid or whatever, veg preferred.

PHASE FOUR – FINAL 48V EXPANSION

  • connect Monster Battery array to 48V system.
  • remove AGMs from 48V system, install in Walter as mobile 12V array.
  • install 300W PV array with MPPT to 48V system.
  • install 25W PV array with MPPT to 48V system.

Voila! You are now in command of some serious electric power, on par with that of some developing nations.