Showing posts with label quality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quality. Show all posts

Sunday, January 19, 2014

This is why I will not use SSR Solid State Relays instead of Tyco Kilovac contactors

Shopping for components for my DIY ESS Kit #2, I started to look into SSR - Solid State Relays - to maybe replace the expensive Tyco Kilovac contactors, one of the most pricy item in my build, and I need 2 of them for each kit ...

Looking on eBay I found a lot ...

Also I found this interesting video a a SSR maker, explaining how you have to install it:

I discovered that you need to heat sink it because it will use so much power ! In the video it says the SSR is wasting 1W per Amp of current passing through it: this is huge

Unless you want to create heat, I do not see any good reason to use this; The Kilovac EV200AAANA from Tyco uses only 1.7W when the contact is closed, and for whatever amount of current passing through this contact, and it can be a lot !

So I guess I will keep using Kilovac for my build :
It is an investment but a good one for safety - reliable cut off - and efficiency - 1.7W used only -













Tuesday, August 6, 2013

SMA Solar Technology Circuit Board Assembly at SMA's German Factory

The making of SMA inverters circuit boards at their factory in Germany





ABOUT SMA
Energy that Changes

SMA Solar Technology AG is a global leader in the development, production and sales of PV inverters and, as an energy management group, offers innovative key technologies for future power supply structures. SMA is represented in all important photovoltaics markets in 19 countries on four continents. The company has a staff of over 5,500 and reached a sales volume of EUR 1.7 billion in 2011.

Inverters are the heart of every PV plant
Technologically, the inverter is the most important component of a PV plant. It converts the direct current generated in the photovoltaic cells into alternating current compliant with the grid requirements -- for self-consumption or feed-in to the power distribution grid. As an intelligent system manager, it also monitors both the PV array and the power distribution grid. SMA inverters already perform important grid management functions, which are becoming increasingly important as electricity production from renewable sources grows. SMA has been developing leading technological solutions and pioneering trends in this area for years and is driving future-oriented topics. For instance, these include intelligent energy management at a household level, grid integration of solar power and connecting storage facilities for more effective use of renewable energy.

For all Performance Classes and Plant Sizes
SMA has an extensive range of products, which offers the right inverters for all module types and plant sizes; for small residential systems as well as large scale plants, grid-connected installations as well as stand-alone and backup systems all over the world. Plant monitoring and visualization products as well as energy management solutions complete the portfolio.In addition to this, SMA customers worldwide benefit from comprehensive services: from support in installation and commissioning of PV plants to quick and uncomplicated device replacement service in Germany and worldwide, and the free SMA Service Line for technical questions. The company also provides training for plant planners, installers, electrically qualified persons and anybody interested in solar power in seminars as part of the SMA Solar Academy.

SMA has received numerous awards for its product solutions and exceptional corporate culture. In 2011 and 2012, the company achieved first place in the German "Great Place to Work®" competition in the category for companies with over 5,000 employees.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Just added the List of major Components to the LiFePO4 DIY ESS Blog and why I chose them





I chose the BEST components to create this ESS:


Energy Monitor: Created in 2006, Wattson is for me the best: it displays clearly in real time your home Usage, Production & Net usage with large visible digits and colors; Using RF, it can travel in your home since it is also battery powered; Easy to install and it looks like a design object 

LiFePO4 Batteries : CALB CA Series Cells are simply the best Li-ion Cells avaibale today: safety, stability, cycle life, power, and energy density at a reasonable price; Read Jack Rickard's article about these new amazing new cells


DC Switch & Breaker : Blue Sea 187-Series Circuit Breaker - Surface Mount 150A; A reliable marine quality high current Switch and Circuit Breaker placed in the middle of the battery pack to be able to switch off completely the whole system, and a protection in case of short circuit; Product link

Grid Tie Inverters : the SUN250G has been a very good GTI for years, is more efficient than a Power Jack (similar product); they can be used in parallel, their DC input accepts 10.8V to 30V, which is perfect for my 24V battery bank; They have a one year warranty; They are very affordable, 110-230VAC 

Chargers : LiFePO4 24V Simple Charger, Light, Low power, Low price, used in parallel, 110-230VAC 

Contactors : 2 Tyco Kilovac EV200AAANA : Simply a world reference for years, Made in the Santa Barbara, USA : Carries high current (500A) and provide a Very Reliable cut off

Mother Board : Very famous widespread programming board, the Arduino is made in Italy, with a French micro-controller chip on board, small power consumption, and has been working for the last year now with no failure

Relays : Small standalone design, with red led to indicate that it is closed/active, standard connector, low cost, have been working for the last year now with no failure; If any, each relay can be changed in 1 or 2 minutes with a small screwdriver

Controller : The ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) used is probably the best in the world, Made in the UK, micro-controller based, does not heat and can carry high current up to 40A at 26.6V which is more than we need here;Product Link

Voltmeter : This programmable dual relay digital voltmeter is  the key to monitoring the Battery pack charge and discharge limits, and keeps it in the safe range; It is available only in the USA, is easy to program manually, is precise enough and does the job !


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More about my LiFePO4 DIY ESS here

Friday, May 24, 2013

I should have an SMA Sunny Boy 3000 Inverter installed soon

I recently talked to my solar contractor and since his home made grid tie inverter is delayed for now, he proposed to install a regular inverter few weeks ago, and last tuesday, he said it would be an SMA SunnyBoy 3000 (with galvanic transformer)
If you remember, bmy Uni-Solar PVL124 and PVL68 had been installed on the building zinc roof back in october ...
We talked a lot about the details, junction box, Wattson sensors, integration of my LiFePO4 ESS, etc
We are now waiting for the bad weather to go away  !!  :-)




Friday, May 11, 2012

The Nissan LEAF went through serious testing ...

This video shows some of the tests the Nissan LEAF went through including deep water, lightning, fast charging port pluggin under heavy rain, ...


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