Solar Expert Component Review Requested

[WackAway]

I had previously been looking at the GoPower Solar Extreme "Kit" and received some very good feedback from all you folks here in the forums. It is due to that feedback that I have decided to piece my system together based on requirements and reviews.

Here is the system I have designed (below). Please let me know if there is anything that would/should cause me to worry or choose another component brand/model.

I will be wiring the panels as two parallel strings, 4 each in a series. I also will be putting in a DC combiner/breaker panel instead of fuses with appropriate gauge cabling between all components.

Solar Panels - 8 each (I have the room)
WindyNation 100W 100 Watt 12V Bendable Flexible Thin Lightweight Solar Panel

Solar Controller
Morningstar TS-MPPT-60 Tristar Mppt 60 Amp

Solar Controller Remote Display
Morningstar, TriStar Remote Digital Meter (for TS-MPPT) with 100' cable, TS-RM-2

Solar Battery Temp Sensor
Morningstar Remote Temperature Sensor RTS

Inverter
AIMS Power PICOGLF30W12V120VR 3000 Watt 12V Pure Sine Inverter Charger

Inverter Remote Switch and Monitor
AIMS Power REMOTELF Remote Switch with LCD Monitoring Screen

Inverter Battery Temp Sensor
AIMS Power PICGLFBATS Battery Temperature Sensor (for Power Inverter Chargers)

Your feedback is appreciated.

[pianotuna]

Hi WackAway,

Because there are issues with my particular setup on Magnum. I can't plug into a GFCI 15 amp shore power outlet with out it tripping off.

I did also have my Magnum catch on fire last summer. They, to give them credit, did stand up to the plate and replaced it under warranty.

I love the hybrid feature.

I'd also move to a 48 volt battery bank if I were starting over.

WackAway wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

The price of Victron and Outback are the same or higher than the Magnum. I have a Magnum and would replace it with Victron.

Why is that?

[Lwiddis]

"anywhere near 3k of inverting over a minute or so, be sure to check for heat at the batteries or cabling"

Excellent point, 2oldman.

[time2roll]

I have and recommend GoPower inverters. Xantrex Prosine 1800 gave up too easy.

Since you are going 3000 watts and typically using less than 2000 I would think the AIMS should hold up fine.

[WackAway]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

The price of Victron and Outback are the same or higher than the Magnum. I have a Magnum and would replace it with Victron.

Why is that?

[pianotuna]

Hi,

The price of Victron and Outback are the same or higher than the Magnum. I have a Magnum and would replace it with Victron.

WackAway wrote:

allen8106 wrote:
I like everything but the Aims stuff. I recommend Magnum.

Wow, the price of those reflect they are really proud of their inverters.

[Lwiddis]

Why bendable WN 100 watt panels at $158 when rigid WN 100 watt panels are $118? Cooler too since they are mounted a couple of inches above the roof.

[WackAway]

allen8106 wrote:
I like everything but the Aims stuff. I recommend Magnum.

Wow, the price of those reflect they are really proud of their inverters.

[2oldman]

If you're going to do anywhere near 3k of inverting over a minute or so, be sure to check for heat at the batteries or cabling. At 12v that pulls a lot of amps which contributes to heating.

A higher voltage system may be something to consider, although it's not too common as yet.

[allen8106]

I like everything but the Aims stuff. I recommend Magnum.

[2oldman]

Darryl&Rita wrote:
Also not a fan of the glued down bendable panels. Way too expensive on a per watt basis, too fragile for extended use. The covering tends to haze, cutting production further. Heat also cuts production, so stuck to the roof yields a hotter panel than one elevated above it.

Yes. And you can't tilt.

[Darryl_Rita]

Also not a fan of the glued down bendable panels. Way too expensive on a per watt basis, too fragile for extended use. The covering tends to haze, cutting production further. Heat also cuts production, so stuck to the roof yields a hotter panel than one elevated above it.

[theoldwizard1]

No personal experience, but from YouTube reviews AIMS does not get the best reviews. I friend bought a Samlex SA series to power his Burning Man site. He was very happy with it. They come in both 12V and 24V input.

Trojan T105RE batteries.

[pianotuna]

Aims was considered a joke by some repair persons. I'd go stand alone, or I'd go for Victron, Outback, or Magnum.

I'd also consider a 24 volt battery bank and the Grape controller. It does mean adding a small 24 volt DC to 12 volt DC converter, but that will more than make up the price difference on the other components. A 24 volt inverter only has to work 1/2 as hard as a 12 volt for the same wattage output.

[westend]

Less installation cost, more watts, and less overall cost by going to 4 nominal 24V modules if you can fit them.

My thought on the panels was to be able to lose one panel to a failure and only lose 100 watts. I can jump the wire over the top of it in this case. It's a balancing act I know. More panels, more failure modes too.

There is little chance of failure of a well installed module. Your connectors and hold down hardware are the arbiters of how the modules will live. Since the acetates used to encapsulate the cells are really tough, there should be not too much that can break a typical module.

I'd strongly advise you to research those bendable modules. There have been reports of failures and I believe, in most cases, it is about either bending them too much or they stress crack from not being installed correctly. If they are adhesed to a surface, you will be giving up watts when the weather is warm. I know it sounds like a convenient idea, but there is no way I would buy one.