Saturday, December 25, 2010

power electronics

power electronicsThe power electronics were installed a while ago but we didn't have time to connect them until now. We used 2/0 gauge cable and copper bars (to bridge short distances) for the connections. The bank is wired in 24VDC configuration.
battery cables
In a previous post, I detailed the components of our power system and it turns out that all of the ones we needed from Outback were available in a pre-wired package known as FLEXpower One. This saved us a tremendous amount of wiring time as well as time searching for small specialty breaker boxes and the like, not to mention a little bit of money, too. The only detail to stray from the original plan is layout. The FLEXpower One comes pre-mounted in an opposite configuration from what I intended. This puts the inverter away from the wall with the charge controller and MATE somewhat hidden behind it, which is probably for the best. Had the inverter been installed as planned against the wall, its cooling fan would have been afforded much less air circulation. We'll never know if that would have become a significant issue but at least now we don't have to take the chance.

To have more convenient access to the MATE, it was detached from the assembly and mounted on the driver's side wall.
power electronics 2
Since our solar panels aren’t installed yet, the system is still being energized solely by grid power from our host. This will continue until sometime in the spring when we have time and more suitable weather for outdoor projects.