The Trimetric and the Mate are completely different animals. The Trimetric measures instantaneous amps and cumulative amp-hours, essential information that is not supplied by the Mate... Well, the Mate will show power out but it's resolution is only to the tenth of a KW. The Mate's main function is to be able to program the inverter, especially the charger portion of it. You will not be able to customize things like absorb and float voltages when charging with a generator unless you have (or borrow) a Mate, though the default settings might be fine in your case. The Mate also programs the "aux" terminals on the inverter. I'm using the "aux" function to be able to remotely start my generator, though there's a bunch of other things you can make it do.
I have a 250A breaker but I'm at 24V, I think 175A is right one for 48V. Did you get yourself a DC distribution box to mount that breaker? You'll also need a shunt for that Trimetric to work. Outback's PSDC has a shunt included, and I'd imagine Xantrex makes a similar product. Oh... and are you sure that Trimetric will work at 48V out of the box? Seems I remember something about the 48V model being a special unit and different than the normal 12/24V unit.
Yes, I used #6. My installer first told me I could run #8. Turns out he was wrong and we got to pull 60' of wire out of the conduit and do it again. If you're not drawing very big loads out of it, I imagine you could go with smaller wire temporarily.
Volvo Farmer
[ Parent ]
Here's where I bought all my Outback stuff, this guy seriously discounts Outback products. He's over 10% less than altenergystore for the stuff you need. http://thesolar.biz/Outback_PSDC_DC_Disconnect.htm
I'd get a PS2DC if I were you, About $200, but will last the lifetime of your system. Call Tom up at thesolar biz and he'll make sure you get everything you need to hook it up right. He was very helpful with me and I didn't lack anything when it was time to install my system.
