Where to by DC breakers

[donald77777]

Hello everyone. I almost have everything to begin my solar system. The only thing I really need now is some DC breakers and a enclosure for them. I am looking for:

1. 15 amp DC breaker
   
1. 25 amp DC breaker
   
1. 30 amp DC breaker
   
   

my system is a 12 volt solar setup. any help would be welcome..

[kd5und]

Im new to this too but would automotive breakers work?

[dpshort218]

I am assuming you want single pole breakers. Bussman makes automotive style breakers that would do the trick nicely for 12 volt systems only. You could probably find a car fuse block at a junkyard fairly cheaply. Bussman ATC type 3 is a manual resettable breaker costing around $7. Here is one link to a place I Googled and found. I know nothing about this source other than it has a good description and photos of the breakers. Here are a few other points to consider. These are only good for 12 vdc systems. If you plan on ever expanding or changing the voltage level to 24, 48, or higher, these won't work.

http://www.wiringproducts.com/index1.html

Square D (my personal favorite breaker for 35 years) also makes a QOU breaker for AC and DC that is surface mountable or DIN rail mountable so any small box could be used, not requiring a specific panelboard or loadcenter. They are UL listed for 48VDC. They are available from 15 amps upward in 1 to 3 pole. Here is a link.

http://www.squared.com/us/products/circuit_breakers.nsf/unid/BE0C1313F4DE3DB185256C870057204C/$file/
QOUcircuitbreakerFrameset.htm

[commanda]

These are my favourites. These guys are in Australia, but someone must have them in your area.

http://www.jaycar.com.au

cattledog number

SF-2252

SF-2254

SF-2258

SF-2259

SF-2260

SF-2261

up to 50 volts dc, 3 amps to 25 amps. Resettable.

Amanda

[Opera House]

There are some nice devices for those monster car amps.  Gold plated connectors and pricey, but I have picked up a few at garage sales.  Check out www.delcity.net

Here are a few interesting numbers 79445   30100  30400 70008  73820  76605  71178  76930  73897

[thirteen]

Not sure where you are but heavey equipement(loaders-trucks) salvage yard has breakers off of the systems and they are 12v and 24 v plus they have master switches that shut off the power and are used diectly off the battery to isolate your system. Also alot of generators have the same master shutoff for there sytems. If you have one close by it may be worth the trip. Just an idea.

A side note some of the newer systems carry a storage battery for the electronics so discharge them before taking them apart.

[tecker]

Most Ac breakers are ok (however I put fuses at the device ) the voltage rating for dc Breaker is half of that of a Ac breaker so a 120 volt rating is good for 48 and so forth I must admit I havent done shorting at My dc load center ( on my list ) I'm under rating all the circuits for saftey.

here's what I mean

http://www.sierrasolar.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturer_id=108

[la7qz]

Hi

I don't know what your location is, but anywhere that supplies bits for yachts has a good selection of DC breakers and nice breaker panels etc. One place to start if you're in the US might be West Marine.

Owen

[donald77777]

I live around the Surprise, Arizona area

[LincTex]

Howdy,

I have about a bazillion circuit breakers removed from salvaged aircraft. Between aircraft that are known to be 12 volt and 28 volt, I can not tell the difference between breakers. These are usually made by Mechanical Products of Jackson, Michigan. Most are Mil Spec MS25244-5. I am not looking to make a profit...just offset my expenses! Let me know if you are interested. Cheers, Lincoln Schlecht