Grape Solar GS-600-KIT-MPPT Off Grid Solar Panel Kit User Guide
Grape Solar GS-600-KIT-MPPT Off Grid Solar Panel Kit User Guide
IMPORTANT: Please read GS-MPPT-Zenith-40 charge controller owner’s manual and GS-STAR-200W Connection Guide (included with products) before assembling kit. For additional information about Grape Solar products: email[email protected]. or Check your order to make sure that all parts are included:
- GS-MPPT-Zenith-40 Charge Controller
- 20-Amp MC4 In-Line Fuse
- 3x GS- STAR-200W Solar Panel
- 5-ft. Red/Black 10 AWG Cable Pair
- 15-ft. MC4-to-Bare-Wire Cable Pair
Additional tools and equipment you will need:
- Screwdriver– Philips Head
- 12-Volt Deep-Cycle Battery Bank
- Voltmeter (for Troubleshooting)
Mount the solar panels so that they are facing due South at approximately the same angle as your latitude. The ideal area has full sun and no shading. If the following connections are made during daylight, cover the panels with cardboard, cloth, or a similar opaque material so that the panel does not output power. Connect the bare wire end of the 10 AWG (thinner) red battery cable 4 to the battery terminal on the bottom of the charge controller 1. Connect the bare wire end of the 10 AWG (thinner) black cable 4 to the (-) battery terminal. A Phillips head screwdriver can be used to loosen and tighten the screw clamps onto the wires. Attach the ring lug end of the red cable 4 to the positive terminal of a 12V deep cycle battery. Attach the ring lug end of the black cable 4 to the negative terminal of the battery. The charge controller 1 display screen will be visible if the battery has sufficient charge. If the display screen is not visible, the battery must be charged from an another source before processing solar power. The charge controller, which regulates solar power flow to the battery, is powered by the battery. Connect the solar panels 3 together into a three-panel series “string”. Series connections are made when the positive cable from one panel is connected to the negative cable from the next panel. On the open positive end of the triad, connect a 20-amp in-line fuse 2. Connect the MC4 ends of the 15ft MC4-to-Bare-Wire cable pair 5 to the outputs of the solar panel 3 triad. Attach the bare-wire ends of the MC4-to-Bare Wire cable pair 5 to the charge controller 1. Your solar system should be ready to function.
DISCLAIMER:
Installations of this kit could be subject to national and local building and electrical codes. Installers should have adequate knowledge of national and local code to ensure the installation passes inspection by the local electric authority. Proper fuses or breakers should be used to comply with all local and national codes. Contact Grape Solar for specific recommendations. All batteries used for this system should be identical. Do not mix battery types or sizes. Do not mix old batteries with new batteries. Performance and charging anomalies can occur if types, sizes, or age of batteries are not identical. Grape Solar does not warrant the accuracy, sufficiency, or suitability to all customers of any technical or other information provided in product manuals. Grape Solar does not claim any responsibility or liability for losses, damages, costs or other expenses whether special, indirect, consequential or incidental, which might arise out of the use of such information.
Web: www.GrapeSolar.com Tel. 1-877-264-1014 (toll free), 1-541-349-9000
Documents / Resources
| Grape Solar GS-600-KIT-MPPT Off Grid Solar Panel Kit [pdf] User GuideGS-600-KIT-MPPT Off Grid Solar Panel Kit, GS-600-KIT-MPPT, Off Grid Solar Panel Kit, Solar Panel Kit, Panel Kit |
References
| [pdf] User Manual Owner’s Manual Troubleshooting Guide Guide Diagram Daniel Tinsely 600 Watt MPPT Off Grid Charging Kit GS KIT Quick Connect Guide GrapeSolar Tel 1 877 264 1014 toll free 541 349 9000 Document Version 200722 ©Copyright 2019 Grape Solar Inc f26686dd 9a52 4895 bab7 9005d6ba7939 solartown content grape solar ||| GS-600-KIT-MPPT PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM QUICK CONNECT GUIDE Rev. 200722 600 Watt MPPT Off-Grid Charging Kit GS-600-KIT-MPPT Quick Connect Guide IMPORTANT: Please read GS-MPPT-Zenith-40 charge controller owner s manual and GS-STAR-200W Connection Guide included with products before a. lang:en score:58 filesize: 1.09 M page_count: 4 document date: 2020-07-22 |
| [pdf] User Manual Owner’s Manual Troubleshooting Guide Guide Diagram Daniel Tinsely 600 Watt MPPT Off Grid Charging Kit GS KIT Quick Connect Guide Grape Solar 6 GrapeSolar Tel 1 877 264 1014 toll free 541 349 9000 Document Version 200827 ©Copyright 2019 Inc Check your order to make sure that all parts are included ➀ Zenith 40 Charge Controller ➁ 20 Amp MC4 In Line Fuse IMPORTANT Please read charge controller owner s manual and STAR 200W Connection with products before assembling kit For additional information about grapesolar ||| GS-600-KIT-MPPT PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM QUICK CONNECT GUIDE Rev. 200827 600 Watt MPPT Off-Grid Charging Kit GS-600-KIT-MPPT Quick Connect Guide IMPORTANT: Please read GS-MPPT-Zenith-40 charge controller owner s manual and GS-STAR-200W Connection Guide included with products before a. lang:en score:51 filesize: 864.89 K page_count: 3 document date: 2020-08-28 |
| [pdf] User Manual Owner’s Manual Installation Guide Troubleshooting Guide Guide Diagram Daniel Tinsely Watt MPPT Off Grid Charging Kit IMPORTANT: Please read GS-MPPT-Zenith-40 charge controller owner’s manual and GS-STAR-200W Connection Guide (included with products) before assembling kit 5000027985_install pdf lowes installationguides GS-600-KIT-MPPT PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM QUICK CONNECT GUIDE Rev. 200827 600 Watt MPPT Off-Grid Charging Kit GS-600-KIT-MPPT Quick Connect Guide IMPORTANT: Please read GS-MPPT-Zenith-40 charge controller owner s manual and GS-STAR-200W Connection Guide included with products before a. lang:en score:49 filesize: 851.96 K page_count: 3 document date: 2020-08-31 |
| [pdf] User Manual Owner’s Manual Instructions Troubleshooting Guide Guide Diagram Catalog Daniel Tinsely 600 Watt Off Grid Solar Panel Kit Instructions Assembly Grape GS KIT MPPT 817732013198 0817732013198 1005693476 13323c48 8e7c 4c2e 8cf5 72aec1ec9763 images thdstatic catalog Images 13 ||| GS-600-KIT-MPPT PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM QUICK CONNECT GUIDE Rev. 220425 600 Watt MPPT Off-Grid Charging Kit GS-600-KIT-MPPT Quick Connect Guide IMPORTANT: Please read GS-MPPT-Zenith-40 charge controller owner s manual and GS-STAR-200W Connection Guide included with products before a. lang:en score:43 filesize: 856.5 K page_count: 3 document date: 2022-04-25 |
tags: Grape Solar, GS-600-KIT-MPPT, GS-600-KIT-MPPT Off Grid Solar Panel Kit, Off Grid Solar Panel Kit, Panel Kit, Solar Panel Kit,
Grape Solar PWM Charge Controller User Manual
Home » Grape Solar » Grape Solar PWM Charge Controller User Manual
Grape Solar PWM Charge Controller User Manual
Please review this manual thoroughly before installation.
Grape Solar reserves the right to change contents in this manual without notice.Version 04.09.20
Product Features
- 72V and 24V battery auto-recognition,
- Pre-set charging modes for sealed, gel, flooded lead-acid deep cycle batteries and a customizable mode for lithium-ion batteries users.
- Three-stage charging with periodic equalization cycle prevents battery sulfation and enhances battery service life.
- Wide range of DC load control modes provide maximum flexibility in running DC loads.
- Built-in protection from common errors such as battery overcharge, battery over-discharge, overload, short-circuit and reverse polarity,
- TVS lightning protection for grounded circuits.
LCD Display Interface Overview
Entering SET Mode
Use the keys located underneath the LCD screen to enter/exit SET mode.
LCD Display Cycles
View ModeBrowse through different views of system status by short pressing the Set key.
Battery Type SET ModeOn any view page (except Load Mode view page), long press the Set key to enter SET mode. Flooded, sealed and GEL batteries have pre-set programs, while lithium battery mode allows for more in-depth user customization.
DC Load Management SET ModeOn the Load Mode view page, long press the Set key to enter SET mode. Choose from 18 pre-set load programs.
After 72 seconds of inactivity, the controller will resume to display battery voltage.
DC Load Modes
Dusk to Dawn (Mode O)Load turns on 10 minutes after daylight not detected.
Timed Load (Mode 1-14)Load turns on 10 minutes after daylight not detected, stays on for X hours.
Manual Load (Mode 15)Press the light control key on the controller to turn load on/off.
Turn Off Load (Mode 16)Load will stay off in this mode.
Always On (Mode 17)Load will stay on as long as connected battery is above 11V.
USB PortsThe lA@SV USB ports will always stay on in all modes.
Error Code Chart
Controller Specification
The variable fln” is adopted as a multiplying factor when calculating parameter voltages, the rule for fln” is listed as: if battery voltage is 12V, n=l; 24V, n=2.
Product Dimension
Product Dimension: 159’118’59 mm/ 6.34.6’2.3 inInstallation Area Dimension: 148’75 mm/ 5.8’3.0 inInstallation Hole Size: 0 4.5 and 0 7 mm/ 0 0.18 and 0 0.28 in
Documents / Resources
EPROPULSION Solar Charge Controller User Manual Introduction Thank you for purchasing ePropulsion Solar Charge Controller. This solar charge…
KICKASS KA1224MPPT15A MPPT Solar Charge Controller User Manual KA1224MPPT15A 1. MAIN FEATURES For use with monocrystalline, polycrystalline…
POWERTECH MP3743 MPPT Solar Charge Controller Instruction Manual BOX CONTENTS: 1 x 12V/24V 30A MPPT Solar Charge Controller…
Grape Solar GS-PWM-10A-IP68 Waterproof IP68 Solar Panel Battery Charge Controller ■ IP68 level waterproof ■ PWM 3-stage charge…
Grape Solar Reviews
Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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If you’re looking for Grape Solar reviews, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve taken a deeper look at the solar panel kits and products from Oregon-based solar panel manufacturer Grape Solar.
This brand may only be 10 years old in the market (they launched in 2009), but Grape Solar has quickly built a reputation for durable yet affordable solar panel kits.
Grape Solar has in-house installation service, but since they are available in major retailers like Home Depot and Costco, they are able to accommodate the DIY-loving public as well.
Interested in getting an off-grid solar panel for your home? Check the top 3 Grape Solar products:
Best Grape Solar Reviews
Grape Solar GS-400-KIT 400-Watt Off-Grid Solar Panel Kit
- Ideal for running small pumps and lights or charging your.
- Grape Solar GS-STAR-100W polycrystalline panel features a two.
- 40 Amp Comet PWM charge controller allows you to add up to 1 more.
- Battery not included, a minimum of one 12 Volt deep cycle battery.
Features:
Ideal for those who already have some equipment ready, the Grape Solar GS-400 Kit includes all the components you need, such as inverter, charge controller and the panels. You do have to prepare your own mounting brackets and batteries to begin using this off-grid solar panel kit.
Performance-wise, Grape Solar’s GS-400 solar panel kit will arrive with its components boxed separately along with instruction booklets for each component. Installation is easy, even for beginners, since everything is already written on the guides. Operation is just as user-friendly and because you can add more to your 4 100-watt polycrystalline solar panels in the future, it can serve beyond as backup power source.
Other components included in this kit include an 800-watt inverter with two outlets and 1 USB port, a 35-Amp charge controller, a manual and cables. Note that you might need to buy additional supplies, such as extra wires, MC4 connectors, battery box, and so on, depending on what you currently have and the setup you plan to build.
Grape Solar GS-100-KIT 100-Watt Off-Grid Solar Panel Kit
- Includes Grape Solar panels, 40A PWM charge controller, inline.
- Complete with cables from solar panel to deep-cycle or lithium.
- Easy-to-read LCD display shows charging and battery parameters.
- Includes 15′ cable to be cut in half to obtain 7.5′ male/female.
- 5-year factory warranty on panels, 1-year factory warranty on.
Features:
The Grape Solar GS-100 is a must if you’re planning to stay overnight at your cabin and just need extra power available for charging low-voltage applications like batteries and solar cells.
This particular kit is one of the most affordable, but it includes a good set of beginner components, including one 100-watt polycrystalline solar panel with two performance-boosting diode junction box. If you use it on a daily basis, you can receive up to 300 watt-hours of power, but this number will vary depending on the panel location and current weather.
The Grape Solar GS-100 kit also has a Xantrex C35 Charge Controller, 5-feet charge controller-to-battery cables, and 6 inches of PV cables with Mc4/Bare Ends.
Because of this kit’s Xantrex’s 35 Amp charge controller, you can add more solar panels in the future. With extra cables, it can accommodate up to 3 extra panels. Just make sure you invest in at least one 12-volt deep-cycle battery to make them work.
Grape Solar GS-200-KIT 200-Watt Off-Grid Solar Panel Kit
- Ideal for running small pumps and lights or charging your.
- Grape Solar GS-STAR-100W polycrystalline panel features a two.
- 40 Amp Comet PWM charge controller allows you to add up to 3 more.
- Battery not included, a minimum of one 12 Volt deep cycle battery.
Features:
Perfect if you’re on a budget, but want to expand your system in the future. This Grape Solar 200-watt off-grid kit already includes two Grape Solar 100-watt Polycrystalline solar panels, a 35 amp Xantrex charge controller, and 450-watt Xantrex inverter as well as cables, two outlets and manuals for every component.
If you buy just this kit, the Grape Solar GS-200 kit can give you about 50 amp hours daily (that’s around 600-watt hours). Of course, you can add more power if you wish. Just connect additional panels and connectors when you’re ready.
Factors to Consider When Buying Grape Solar Panel
Price is often the number 1 concern of people switching to solar panels. It’s a valid concern, since pricing isn’t as straightforward as buying a generator. Are you going to save money in the long-term if you buy a particular kit? The following things could answer this question:
Aside from price, also consider performance and warranty.
o Solar panel efficiency. How much usable electricity can your solar panel convert from the sun? The answer is called solar panel efficiency, and the higher the rating the better. In general, solar panels operate with 14 to 18% efficiency with the best ones even reaching 24%.
o Temperature coefficient. This refers to the effectiveness of solar panels during not-so-ideal temperatures. You should find solar panels with lower temp coefficient (about.0.25 to 0.40). In general, Grape Solar panels fall in the mid-range of temperature coefficient ratings. For example, if your kit states it is.0.25 temperature coefficient, which is the standard for most solar panels, this means that the maximum electricity it can provide falls by.25% with every 1°C increase in temperature.
Warranty. Most solar panel manufacturers like Grape Solar offer an average 10-year warranty against defects on parts. Specific warranties per kit varies, so better check first before deciding. This consideration is important since no one wants to be stuck with a defective solar panel about 5 years in and without receiving its full value-for-money yet.
Wrap Up: Which is the Best Grape Solar Panel for My Home?
It is important that the solar panel kit you choose is able to accommodate your needs, especially if you plan to use them in remote locations like your cabin.
Note that comparing these three Grape Solar reviews should give you an idea of how other people used them for their own set-ups. Whether or not these solar panel kits would be the best option for your power requirements at home depends on the considerations explained above.
In addition, as you might have guessed by now, the price tag of these solar panel kits aren’t the only money you’d need to shell out. All the Grape Solar kits above do not come with batteries yet, so if you’re starting out from scratch, add a couple of hundred bucks more to your investment.
The best thing about all three. the Grape Solar GS-100-KIT Solar Panel Kit, Grape Solar GS-200-KIT Solar Panel Kit and Grape Solar GS-400-KIT Solar Panel Kit is that they are all expandable, so you can begin your solar project now and add more panels in the future.
Should you buy Grape Solar panels from Costco or Home Depot?
Installing solar panels is fast becoming a home improvement project that any homeowner can take on. Now that you can buy solar panels at Costco and Home Depot, you may even be considering installing a home solar energy system yourself. One of the most popular DIY options is to purchase a solar panel kit from Grape Solar, an Oregon-based solar panel manufacturer whose products are for sale at Costco and Home Depot. But before you make a Costco solar purchase, we recommend you learn more about how Grape Solar panels compare to other solar panel brands.
How Grape Solar reviews compare to other panel manufacturers
Efficiency
Solar panel efficiency refers to how well your solar panel can convert sunlight into usable electricity. A higher efficiency rating is better, because it means that your solar panel is able to convert more of the sunlight it captures into electricity. The best solar panels available on the market today operate at approximately 22 percent efficiency.
The graph below shows how Grape Solar panels measure up when compared to 24 of the most popular solar panel brands offered to solar shoppers on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. As you can see, the most common solar panels out there fall between 14 and 18 percent panel efficiency, and Grape Solar panels fit comfortably within that range. Our review of Grape Solar panels found that they have an efficiency rating of anywhere from 14.63 percent to 18.4 percent.
Temperature Coefficient (Performance)
The temperature coefficient tells you how well your solar panels will perform in less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels are like any other kind of electronic equipment: they operate most efficiently when they are kept cool (ideally around 25° C or 77° F). The temperature coefficient gives you a sense of how your panel’s performance will degrade during hot summer days. For every degree above 25° C, your solar panel’s electricity production will decrease by the temperature coefficient.
For example, Grape Solar’s GS-S-160-Fab8 model has a temperature coefficient of.0.5. This means that if your solar panel’s temperature increases by one degree (from 25° C to 26° C), its electricity production will fall by 0.5%. If the temperature increases to 35° C (or 95° F), Grape Solar panels will produce five percent less electricity. While 95° F might seem high to you, remember that the surface of your roof can get much hotter than the air around it when the sun is beating down on it.
Warranty
Whether you’re buying a new TV, a car, or solar panels for your roof, you should expect that the manufacturer will stand behind their product with a strong warranty. A solar panel’s materials warranty (sometimes referred to as the product or equipment warranty) protects you against equipment failures due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues. Most companies, including Grape Solar, offer a 10-year materials warranty, but the best solar panel manufacturers will guarantee against equipment failures for 15 or even 25 years. For example, on EnergySage approximately a third of the panels offered by our top 25 manufacturers come with a 25-year warranty. Grape Solar’s warranty is right in the middle range of the marketplace, at 10 years.
Price
Perhaps the most important question of all – are you going to save money when you buy solar panels at Costco or Home Depot? How does the cost of Grape Solar panels compare to other panel brands?
As of January 2020, buying a 5,300-watt (5.3 kilowatt) solar panel system at Home Depot will cost you 10,942 before any tax credits or other financial incentives. Subtract the 26 percent federal tax credit for solar, and you reduce your equipment costs to 8,097. However, these off-the-shelf for Grape Solar panels don’t include installation costs, and not every state allows you to connect DIY solar installations to the grid. By comparison, on EnergySage, a fully installed and grid-connected 5 kW solar panel system costs, on average, about 10,952 after the 20% federal tax credit, depending on where you live.
Don’t need a 5 kW system? Home Depot also offers a 3,180-watt (3.18 kW) solar panel system for 6,909. Again, subtract the 26 percent federal tax credit – your equipment costs are now 5,157. By comparison, you can get a fully installed and grid-connected 3.5 kW solar panel system on EnergySage for a similar price as well.
Of course, the price that you end up paying for your solar panel system depends on the equipment that you choose. Grape Solar manufactures mid-tier panels for a reasonable price, but they are not the cheapest solar panel we’ve seen offered. As with any major home improvement decision, you should always compare and reviews for multiple products before you make your purchase. You can easily evaluate solar panel quotes from qualified solar installers side-by-side on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace to see how a Grape Solar panel kit stacks up against the competition.
Should you buy solar panels at Home Depot or Costco?
Finding someone who knows what they’re doing can actually save you both time and money. Some of the best solar installers have been installing solar energy systems for decades – experience that no amount of online research or DIY guides can replace.
Your solar installer will also help you complete and file the permits and applications that you’ll need to submit to get your solar energy system up and running. Even if you’re ready and able to do all of the installation work yourself, you’ll still need to find a certified electrician to sign off on your work before your utility will allow you to connect your new solar panel system to the grid.
In the end, there are still some cases where DIY solar makes sense. If you’re looking to install a small PV system, and comfortable doing your own electrical work, and not prohibited from installing your own system, then buying your solar equipment online might be just what you need. In these situations, buying Grape Solar panels can be a reliable, no frills option. Compare several options beforehand, and click the retailer link on the table below once ready.
Grape Solar DIY buying options
| Product | System Size (Watts) | System Cost | Dollars per Watt | Retailer Link |
| Grape Solar grid-tied solar PV system | 5,300 | 12,009 | 2.26 | Home Depot |
| Grape Solar grid-tied solar PV system | 3,180 | 7,332 | 2.30 | Home Depot |
| Grape Solar grid-tied solar PV system | 2,300 | 9,238 | 4.02 | Amazon |
| Grape Solar off-grid solar PV system | 480 | 1,199 | 2.50 | Amazon |
Note: This post contains affiliate links. We only link to products that we think are great.
reading on EnergySage
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