Elmar

Background

A two person (possibly one) company that builds race MPPTs. Based in the Netherlands. http://www.elmar.solar/

Technical Details

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Timeline

Aug 16, 2019 (Outgoing): Initial inquiry. Calculations based on the datasheet needed to be confirmed, such as the boost ratio of 1.468. Also requested clarification about the impacts of shade on a module affecting the rest of the string.

Aug 16, 2019 (Incoming): Request from Elmar for a spreadsheet of measurements needed so he can do testing himself in his lab. He has access to Drivetek, his own and Nomura MPPTs to measure for comparison. States he is out of office from Aug 22nd to Nov 1st so needs information as soon as possible.

Aug 18, 2019 (Outgoing): Sent spreadsheet for MPPT measurements based on the Sunpower E66 datasheet. Theoretically using 326 or 346 cells on the car, using 12 Nomuras, 2 Elmars or 2 Driveteks.

Aug 19, 2019 (Incoming): Question if Impp is in milliAmps.

Aug 19, 2019 (Incoming): Confusion as even if Impp is in mA, it’s not a normal operating point.

Aug 19, 2019 (Incoming): Still confused about the Impp

Aug 19, 2019 (Outgoing): Clarification that according to the datasheet, current should be in Amps.

Aug 19, 2019 (Incoming): Question about what the output voltage be of the Nomura MPPTs and how many outputs would be in series

Aug 19, 2019 (Incoming): Screenshot of confusion about the Impp column

Aug 19, 2019 (Outgoing): Clarified that the number in that column should be 6.08A, updated the spreadsheet and attached it to the email.

Aug 19, 2019 (Incoming): Question about what the expected output voltage of Nomuras are.

Aug 19, 2019 (Outgoing): Calculated output voltage should be 25.2V. 2 sets of 6 Nomuras in series, parallel with each other.

Sept 7, 2019 (Outgoing): Follow up about the measurements that were being done.

Sept 14, 2019 (Incoming): Elmar did not complete the measurements before heading to WSC. WIll return to his lab Nov 1st and asks if the calculations will be useful at that time. Asks what our timeline and which race we are competing in.

Sept 16, 2019 (Outgoing): State that we hope to conclude our array details by the end of October, but are willing to push the timeline if we intend to incorporate Elmar MPPTs. State intention to compete in ASC 2020.

Nov 18, 2019 (Outgoing): Questions about the array voltage and what the price of MPPTs is. Additional questions about the turnaround time and shipping costs.

Nov 19, 2019 (Incoming): Confirms the array voltage assumption. Price is 1800 euros, build time is 3 weeks, delivery time 1 week assuming everything is in stock.

Nov 19, 2019 (Outgoing): Follow up questions about max voltage and clarifying that we would need 3 MPPTs.

Nov 19, 2019 (Incoming): Clarifies that yes we would need 3 MPPTs. Additional technical details about why 3 MPPTs, outlining scenarios such as extremely low battery voltage and disconnecting the array from the battery.

Nov 24, 2019 (Outgoing): Asked about an additional datasheet other than the one provided online with more electrical details and what the process is for the MPPT to switch from pass-through to active mode.

Dec 3, 2019 (Incoming): Ask for clarification if Elmar MPPTs are designed to be used in parallel or if they require additional circuitry. Also repeated the two questions from the Nov 24, 2019 email.

Dec 23, 2019 (Incoming): Repeat of the previous questions, if Elmar MPPTs are designed to be used in parallel and if there is a way to trigger a MPPT reset through a signal. Also asked for additional documentation

Jan 7, 2020: Phone call with Elmar (could not reach them on the US number, called the Netherlands number). Approximately 30 minute discussion about what we wanted and what we were asking of him (he did not clearly remember who we were or what we had talked to him before about). Asked to be reminded to send us the most recent version of his datasheet, update the datasheet to put it on the website and reserve 3 MPPTs for our team. (Notes from this call are pending as I am not sure where I wrote down things from it, will post once I find it)

May 14, 2020 (Incoming): Email check in asking how our team is doing during COVID-19 and what race we will be participating in.

May 20, 2020 (Outgoing): Notified Elmar that our team has been unable to work on the car and that we intend to race in ASC 2021.

Pricing and Discussions/Discounts

Price per MPPT is 1800 Euros (~$2700 CAD). No sponsorship discount was discussed with Elmar.

Other

Response rate throughout the term was extremely inconsistent. He’s a single person, but seemed to forget a lot of our previous conversations and things that we discussed.

Files

Aug 18, 2019: MPPT Measurements spreadsheet

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Aug 19, 2019: Updated MPPT Measurements

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Emails

Aug 16, 2019 to Sept 16, 2019: Email Chain 1

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Nov 18, 2019 to Dec 23, 2019: Email Chain 2

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