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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: over heated & Broke down, Now in Prescott Az
the trouble with making phone calls, is most of them will say yes we can work on it, but with out firm recommendations thats not much to go on.
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MrWizard
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05/21/12 12:09am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Solar Eclipse
totally forgot it and missed it
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MrWizard
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05/20/12 08:13pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: T-mobile announces new No contract data plans
voice? or data
the announcement is about new? data plans
no contract data, not voice
I bought my TMobile sim card on Ebay, and pay by the month no contract with T Mobile for a couple months now. I must be missing something. I also stick in an H2o sim card in my unlocked phone, and use their network which really uses ATT's network. I've been trying all kinds combinations trying to find something I like. I've been sticking with T Mobile because it uses my home WIFI when my signal bars disappear, because I'm out in the sticks where I live.
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MrWizard
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05/20/12 08:07pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: MPPT Controller Max OCV Cloud Fringing Tolerance
my 2000e info lists a number of different problems and the reasons
but does not discuss controller failure
it does list over current protection
and over heat protection
doesn't say what would happen in case of a component failure
I think the likely hood of failure matches the odds of wining the lotto
since the over current limiting and over heat shut down will prevent damage to the unit
I'm only making an educated guess, but most likely if the voc was exceeded and the MPPT controller failed I think it would be aa total shut down with no power to the batteries
I think this would be a mfg specific question If you can get the model # and call them
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MrWizard
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05/20/12 07:57pm |
Tech Issues
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T-mobile announces new No contract data plans
Thanks to our growing array of gadgets with cellular capabilities, our need for data grows by the day. However, signing up for a data plan often involves committing to as much as two years with a specific carrier, which doesn't suit everyone. Wireless carrier T-Mobile this week announced the addition of contract-free data-only passes to its portfolio of plans.
T-Mobile's no contract mobile broadband service passes debuted this weekend and will start at $15 for a one-week 300MB pass. The rest of the options are monthly passes that range in price from $25 (for 1.5GB) to $50 (for 5GB). The passes are available for customers boasting the Sonic 4G or T-Mobile 4G mobile hotspots as well as the Rocket 3.0 data stick. The Galaxy Tab 10.1, 7,0 Plus and SpringBoard are also covered.
new tmobile data plans
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MrWizard
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05/20/12 03:15pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: MPPT Controller Max OCV Cloud Fringing Tolerance
IIRC
the instructions for both the blue sky and the Xantrex
specify connecting the batteries before connecting the solar panels
is this to avoid possible to high voc across the input or is there some other reason?
the controller circuits use so little power as to effectively constitute an open circuit when there are no batteries on line, there is nothing there to accept the power being produced so the panels are at full voltage potential
if this full potential is higher than the controllers rating, you can expect a problem to happen
there are lots of factors, time of year, flat or tilted, etc...
But being connected to a controller does not always mean a connected loaded circuit
voc can certainly happen and it better be under the safe value of the controller
No Load condition...the controller will be subject to full open circuit panel voltage across its inputOk. Where I have a problem is that the classical definition says 'not connected to any circuit' not 'connected but there's no load.'
thanks.
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MrWizard
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05/20/12 02:55pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Tripplite PowerVerter
moved from technology corner
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MrWizard
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05/20/12 01:01pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Tripplite PowerVerter
I have a Tripp-lite inverter with out the charging option
IMO they are high grade commercial components, heavy duty with big transformers
we have been using ours for 18months powering a residential fridge 24/7
it is never disconnected or turned off unless I'm cleaning battery cables or have some reason to disconnect 12v power from the rv
I do not know the charging specs on your unit
but I would NOT change or replace it unless it fails to do the job
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MrWizard
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05/20/12 12:58pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: MPPT Controller Max OCV Cloud Fringing Tolerance
what happens If a battery goes bad (maybe shorts internally)the controller shuts down output or the inline fuse to the batteries blow
or maybe the battery refuses to charge, sulfation or open internal connection, bad cable connection, maybe a rodent chewed a cable
NO MORE LOAD
the panels are connected to the controller, but the controller is no longer connected to the batteries
a No Load condition
the controller will be subject to full open circuit panel voltage across its input
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MrWizard
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05/20/12 12:38pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Parallel or Series Solar?
I think remote locations not being occupied and used
where batteries are at or near full charge
there would be little drain on the batteries
the controller would spend a lot of time in flat mode, so panel voltage would be higher with out the charging load being applied to the batteries
couple this to high altitude like cell and communication towers where large battery banks are involved so they can operate in bad weather, and you have the potential for voc being reached during good weather
even in your rv during the summer if stored a lot, voc could easily be reached
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MrWizard
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05/20/12 12:30pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Parallel or Series Solar?
my 2000e controller has a Max open circuit of 30v input
I can not series my panels without exceeding this limit
i think open circuit voltage limit is more critical , controllers can't clamp the input voltage
but they (at least Blue sky) can control/clamp the output current to not exceed their rated output
Time to resume the normally scheduled discussion
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MrWizard
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05/20/12 09:50am |
Tech Issues
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RE: UPS for wall warts
"digital" controlled consumer items like blankets, lap pads and mattress pads, need pure sine wave
older selector switch or rheostat type heating devices work fine from MSW
most wall warts will work from MSW , some will run warmer than others
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MrWizard
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05/19/12 11:06pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Parallel or Series Solar?
with 675w I might have gone with the 600w controller, it would really depend on price difference, finances , and if i had room for more panels later
with the 800w controller you should never run into "clamping" on days when the sun comes out late and the batteries are hungry
I did not set out to under size the controller and if the Xantrex did not pull the 4 Hr mode shift I might be using it instead, might because it would still depend on the avg total watt hrs output
MrWizard, what is your take on having more panels than the controller rating? Does it help keep the controller near max or are the extra panels not really needed? Would you recommend undersizing the controller if between two sizes? Would you add another panel even if near controller max? or not worth it?
I was between the 600w & 800w Morningstar controllers and decided on the 800w. In hindsight I think I could have saved the $110 and gone with the smaller controller for my 675w panels.
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MrWizard
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05/19/12 09:40pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Parallel or Series Solar?
I don't feel like wiring them direct and end up applying to much voltage 17+ ?? after the amps start to taper, too careless using this much wattage, too much to go wrong
this is my test results and my opinion
other controllers might give different results for other users
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MrWizard
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05/19/12 09:23pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: MPPT Controller Max OCV Cloud Fringing Tolerance
ocv=voc?
I know the solar industry uses "voltage open circuit"
but to me "open circuit voltage" ocv as mexi says sounds better and makes more sense
when we talk about it we type/say "open circuit voltage"
not the other way around
that voc acronym is dumb
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MrWizard
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05/19/12 03:46pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Parallel or Series Solar?
peak output requires a special set of circumstances and doesn't last too long
i will try to remember to feel how warm, the next time it looks like this will occur,
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MrWizard
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05/19/12 03:40pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Parallel or Series Solar?
for possible total sun into weak batteries "technically yes"
but during morning hours on sunny days the pwm and the MPPT give about the same and by solar peak hours after the batteries have been charging all morning, they are usually accepting less than what the panels can produce and what the 2000e can handle
if i ran the MW from the inverter while the Xantrex was still in full output mode, then the c40 might make difference in total power for the day
like I said the only time I see clamping and peak 25 amp output are on days with late clearing with the sun high in the sky and batteries still hungry
if I ever need a new controller it will be MPPT with higher amp rating
even though I have nominal 12v system 17+ vmp panels
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MrWizard
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05/19/12 02:43pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Parallel or Series Solar?
I have 505 watts of 12v system panels
I have a 25 amp Blue Sky 2000e MPPT controller on the system
I also have "spare" a Xantrex C-40 PWM controller
I tested my system using each controller
I found I prefer the MPPT controller
on days with morning overcast clearing late or mostly cloudy with intermittent sun the Xantrex would give a higher peak output at full sun and low batteries
but on sunny days the Xantrex went into float mode at 4 hrs no matter what the soc of the batteries was it quit supplying any real power even with the sun high in the sky and the batteries not fully charged and still able to absorb more amps
on overcast or cloudy days when the sun came out late the MPPT clamped the out put to the 25 amp limit but total watt hrs would equal the Xantrex
and on sunny days the MPPT charged all day until sun down , it did not go into float mode unless the batteries voltage level and charge rate indicated they were charged
I sunny days I got more watt hours total power from the MPPT controller than the Xantrex c-40
MPPT really shines when using higher voltage panels you can't fully utilize high voltage panels unless you use mppt,
but mine also continues to work hard all day long with lower voltage panels, much better for me than the Xantrex pwm C-40
other pwm controllers might function differently and not have the 4 Hr smart/duh timer function
for those that have pwm and say my batteries are always charged by noon
try this simple test
hook up a battery charger directly to the batteries
disconnect or turn off loads, see if your batteries will continue to accept more amps and how much is it accepting
maybe your pwm solar controller is playing it Safe and going to float at 4 hrs regardless of what the batteries really need
best of luck, I hope your pwm controller is better than my backup spare Xantrex
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MrWizard
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05/19/12 02:16pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Progressive Road Side Assistance
we have progressive Insurance and ERS
we used them yesterday
the rep on the phone was pleasant and helpful and found out where we could get service on our cumins engine and then had us towed there covering the complete charge
the truck came over 50 miles from flagstaff then towed us to Prescott almost 60 miles
it took maybe 90 minutes from the call until the tow arrived "big rig", and he knew his business and was fast and courteous "AM/PM TOWING" from Flagstaff
I hate being broke down but so far the people involved have been great
ers and service people
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MrWizard
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05/19/12 12:33pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Verizon kills unlimited data plans for existing subscribers
Updating the phone operating system should not affect your contract
Replacing the phone for a discount price and new contract "could/might" affect your contract deprnding on your carrier
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MrWizard
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05/19/12 11:20am |
Technology Corner
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