Help with Solarex

[oldculett]

I just got 2 sets of panels both have a Solarex SRO12150 box. the is NO instructions and the seller has no clue. panel #1 is Solarex msx120, panel #2 is three sx38 hooked up as one panel. Questions how much power(amps) can these boxes handle, Can I run both threw the same box, how much power will these put out? A note inside the boxes says set at 14.4 volts. Thank you for any help. I used search but got no hits.   Oldculett

[dnix71]

BP owns Solarex now. You might email them and ask if they have a pdf user manual for download.

Solarex usually made the model number mean something obvious. I would guess those are 12v 150watt controllers. The 14.4 means the charge cutout voltage is set to 14.4v, so those are intended for flooded lead batteries.

14.4 is high. Until you find the adjustment trim pot (if there is one) keep your batteries somewhere cool.

[oldculett]

Thank you for the reply.  I went to the BP site and they had nothing on panels this old.  I will e-mail them and see if they have something that's not available on their pages.  

I'm guessing that my two panels - 120 plus three times 38 is more = 234 watts than the one controller box can handle so I will have to hook them to the battery bank separately? using both controller boxes?  Would it be possible to upgrade one of these boxes somehow to handle both sets of panels?  Thank you for any help.  oldculett

[dnix71]

The simple fix is to put the 120 watt panel on the controller you alrerdy have and the other three on another controller. You can pick up a Morningstar 12 amp contoller for about $30. Both controller outputs go to the same battery bank.

Mixing panels going to a single contoller cuts your power unless each panel has a diode (Schottky is preferred) so there is no backfeed if one panel is shaded.

I don't know if your sx-38's have a Schottky, but GHurd here sells them cheap if you need some.

The stuff you bought is older and old-school. I hope you got "a deal" on it. What is the age and condition of the panels?

[zap]

"You can pick up a Morningstar 12 amp contoller for about $30"

Where can you get a 12 amp Morningstar controller for $30 or thereabouts???

[dnix71]

Internet searching for any 12 amp controller just got strange. Prices all over the place and out-of-stock for many.

Even Harbor Freight doesn't carry a 12 amp model, just 7 and 30.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CPHXUI  has a 10-amp controller for $30.

[oldculett]

I guess they were purchased sometime in the late 1990's but were mostly stored inside.  I paid $325 for the two of them.  After more study, the MSX120 is 42 volt it says on a tag on the back and 116 watt.  And the SX38 panels have only that mark, no wattage or voltage, but in full sun, it puts out 18 volts.  So, I'm assuming it's a 12 volt.  

Can someone tell me how I could use the 42 volt one to charge a 24 volt system.  And, eventually, I will have a 48 volt system - will these be usable on that at all?  Oldculett