Nov 16, 2008 02:16 pm
Re: Kyocera KC130TM 130W 12V Solar Panel w J-Box question
I would agree. The advertisement says max. amps. but consider this, when was the first time you saw an advertisement the didn't pan out to be the entire truth? Like that picture, of a roast beef sandwhich with the thinly sliced meat piled up 2" high, on the bill board menus over the cashiers, but then once you unwrapped yours to eat it, mouth all watering in anticipation, all you see is bun. You have to move the bun to see the roast beef.
Wheres the beef?!
I am not calling anybody a lier over here or nothing, just maybe their not telling the whole truth in advertising. You have to go to the manufactures specifcations PDF file, which they do provide a link to over there.
Those PV module ratings are at a STC or Standard Test Condition. The equivalent of 1000 watts per square meter of sunlight with a PV cell temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. There are very few, if any, places on Earth that receive the equivalent of 1000 watts of sunlight where a cell temperature of 25 degrees Celsius can be maintained for relatively long periods of time. There is however, calculations involved where the NEC or National Electrical Code and UL Underwriters Laboratories are concerned, in sizing the wire as well as charge controllers, means of disconnect, fuses, and breakers for PV source circuits. These calculations start with the Isc or short circut ratings at STC then this is multiplied by 125% to meet UL requirements and after that another 125% to meet NEC requirements, or it is acceptable to do this once by a factor 156% (125% X 125% = 156%). It has something to with "edge of cloud effect and snow reflectance." So according to this the KC 130 is capable under very certain circumstance of producing 12.52 amps, but hey, I don't make these rules. So if you to argue about that with somebody go see them. I find hard to believe it could ever happen myself but those are the rules.
As for your charge controller "accepting" only 13 volts, if that is what its manufacture states is the high voltage input limit to the charge controller from a PV source, then no. You cant use any PV module with an open circuit voltage higher than 13 volts on that charge controller. That I find very hard to believe. Chances are your holding back on us. Your only giving us a few pepperonis, maybe some tomatoes sauce over here but we need the whole pizza to make a more informed decision. You know what I am saying? So what do you say? Eh? Give us break and let us know who manufactured that charge controller and what model it is? Then maybe we can help you to make a more informed choice.