Grape Solar GS-S-100-TS + Tracer2210RN ?

[badatz]

Hello all,

I need a bit of help please.. I am a newbie to the whole Solar thing and would like to make sure I'm ordering the right equipment.
At this point, all I need is to power a 25W light bulb and maybe a small water pump for my backyard in the future.
I would like to build a system that will be easily expendable without spending tons of money upfront

From my research(and availability in Canada) it seems that The 100W grape solar panel is a good pick and I understand that an MPPT charge controller is the way to go.

I am about to order the MPPT Tracer2210RN controller and was wondering if that's gonna be the right choice? In addition, I can use some help picking the fuses and the proper cables..
I understand that the GS-S-100-TS comes with MC4 plugs but I don't know if that will work with the Tracer2210RN?

Thanks for your help!

[Sunking]

The first thing to understand is you use a MPPT controller for 2 reasons.

1. 95+% conversion efficiency.
2. Allows you to use panels made for Grid Tied Applications. Grid Tied Panels are higher voltage and 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of Battery panels like a Grape 100 watt panel.

[Naptown]

The first thing to understand is you use a MPPT controller for 2 reasons.

1. 95+% conversion efficiency.
2. Allows you to use panels made for Grid Tied Applications. Grid Tied Panels are higher voltage and 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of Battery panels like a Grape 100 watt panel.

Actually cost per watt would be more accurate

[boostinsteve]

I used the 2210rn before. Great controller for a low power system. I recently upgraded to the 3215rn, and have been working with it since. I currently have 2 solar world 260 watt panels hooked into my 24vdc battery bank. I upgraded because I am planning to add a final panel to power my workshop and office.

Like everyone is saying, use a grid tie panel. They give you a better bang for the buck. The mppt will sense battery voltage, and will use a dc-dc converter to get voltage to what is needed for your battery.

For cables, you will need to decide where you are mounting the panels to figure out how much you need. I mounter mine on the roof, so I got a 50 ft mc4 cable, cut it in half and had 2 sections with the proper ends for the panels.

[badatz]

Grid Tied Applications

Thanks guys, so just to make sure I got it right.. if I want to use an off-grid system the Tracer2210RN will not be comptabile?

If that's the case any recommendation of a similar MPPT that I should be purchasing? preferably something by Tracer (it's seems that they are avaliable in Canada)

Thanks again.

The first thing to understand is you use a MPPT controller for 2 reasons.

1. 95+% conversion efficiency.
2. Allows you to use panels made for Grid Tied Applications. Grid Tied Panels are higher voltage and 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of Battery panels like a Grape 100 watt panel.

[boostinsteve]

Thanks guys, so just to make sure I got it right.. if I want to use an off-grid system the Tracer2210RN will not be comptabile?

If that's the case any recommendation of a similar MPPT that I should be purchasing? preferably something by Tracer (it's seems that they are avaliable in Canada)

Thanks again.

The 2210rn is meant for off grid application.

There are different types of panels. Battery charging panels are called that as they put out a voltage that is acceptable for pwm charging methods. Grid tie panels put out voltages that are not optimal for battery charging, therefore requiring some type of dc-dc converter to get the output to what is needed. Grid tie panels are usually much less expensive than the battery charging panels.

If you are going to spring for mppt, you can use the grid tie panels. This cuts back on cost since they are cheaper.

[badatz]

battery charging

Giving the fact that I do need to charge 1-2 batteries, which MPPT would you recommend I get? Will the 2215RN EP be a better pick?

I looked on both MPPT specs but I can't really understand what the differences are, both indicate the following:
* Nominal System Voltage: 12VDC | 24VDC Auto work
* Rated Battery Current: 20A

The 2210rn is meant for off grid application.

There are different types of panels. Battery charging panels are called that as they put out a voltage that is acceptable for pwm charging methods. Grid tie panels put out voltages that are not optimal for battery charging, therefore requiring some type of dc-dc converter to get the output to what is needed. Grid tie panels are usually much less expensive than the battery charging panels.

If you are going to spring for mppt, you can use the grid tie panels. This cuts back on cost since they are cheaper.

[Sunking]

I would like to build a system that will be easily expendable without spending tons of money upfront.

OK don't get insulted but this is an oxymoron especially the way you are going about it.

Now I will back it up. The Tracer 2210RN is a 20 amp MPPT charge controller made for 12 and 24 volt battery systems. OK if you operate at 12 volt battery which I assume you are, the maximum PV Panel Power input is 260 watts. You plan to initially install 2-100 watt panels for a total of 200 watts right? You are done, there is no more "expansion" you can do at 12 volts.

You could go up to a 24 volt system and at 24 volts go up to 520 watts maximum input but to do that means all new batteries and 24 volt inverter. So "inexpensive" myth is busted.

[Sunking]

Giving the fact that I do need to charge 1-2 batteries, which MPPT would you recommend I get? Will the 2215RN EP be a better pick?

I looked on both MPPT specs but I can't really understand what the differences are, both indicate the following:
* Nominal System Voltage: 12VDC | 24VDC Auto work
* Rated Battery Current: 20A

There is no right answer to your question.

• Battery size is dictated by your maximum daily energy requirement.
  
• Solar panel wattage and controller size are based on your daily energy requirement, battery voltage, and most notable LOCATION

Guess what? You have not defined any parameters. You just want to buy something and hope it works out. 99% of the time that fails and falls way short. The other 1% of the time is either you get the size correct, or grossly oversize the system wasting a lot of money.

[SunEagle]

Giving the fact that I do need to charge 1-2 batteries, which MPPT would you recommend I get? Will the 2215RN EP be a better pick?

I looked on both MPPT specs but I can't really understand what the differences are, both indicate the following:
* Nominal System Voltage: 12VDC | 24VDC Auto work
* Rated Battery Current: 20A

The only difference I saw in their specs is the "Max PV open circuit voltage" rating. The 2210 has is rated 100vdc and the 2215 is rated 150vdc. So it comes down to the amount of panel voltage you hook up to it.

But as Sunking has stated the 20 amp rating limits your system panel wattage.