Hi there. I wonder if you might kindly help me with a AC180 question in regard to maximizing solar input/intake, and trying to get the full 500 max.
With the 10 amp and 60V max, do you know the most economical way to get that 500 watts in? I would love to find some rigid panels that have a low ( or appropriate) VOC as to be able to run as few panels as possible, simply in series to get to that 500. Know any specific panels that are not a fortune, or have any tips I’m just not seeing?
( I have the bluetti portable 200 watt panel already, but even with 2 of those I wouldnt get even close to the max. More like 320 tops with 2 )
@fullcircle - It’s simple math. A nominal 12V panel i.e. the PV200 has a Voc of 26.1V and an Isc of 10.3A.
2 panels in series will have a combined Voc of 52.1V at 10.3A.
The input amps are limited to 10A, anything above this will not be used by the power station, which means 400W is all you get and that is in perfect conditions.
To use 3 panels in series will overload the 60V cap on the power bank and damage it.
However, (I’ll stand corrected if not the case) you can maximise your solar by using as an example 2 x 250W panels in series. Their combined voltage will be less than the 60V limit and should provide around 13A. Although this will be limited by the solar controller to 10A, where this benefits is in poor light conditions when the output of the panels is reduced, because they are 25% bigger in output than a 400W array, you will get a better input to the unit. More…
The other way I increase charge is; I have 2 x 150W panels at around 280W in good conditions. I also have a Victron 375W inverter powered by my 4x4 auxiliary battery. I set the AC180 to silent mode AC charging which is approx 280W and within the limit of the Victron. I idle the vehicle for a while doing this.
In good conditions I get around 550W input. As mentioned in another of my posts, I also have a small 800W inverter genset that can power a direct plugin to the AC180 on silent mode. As the genset is A$420 it’s 2/3 the price of a PV200 in Au. as a comparison.
PS I don’t have any Bluetti solar panels, the panels I have are ones purchased well before I bought my 3 AC units (70, 180 & 200P). I would love to have a couple of PV200s, but there is a limit to what I can spend on this gear and she’s currently in the kitchen, lol.