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Going with Offgrid Solar

Nashville Cat said:
This is a good write-up about high and low frequency inverters

Inversion Methods Explained: High Frequency vs Low Frequency | Magnum Dimensions

Understand the difference between high frequency and low frequency inverters with this quick article.
www.magnum-dimensions.com www.magnum-dimensions.com
Click to expand...

Apparently I misspoke, sorry about that. My inverter (18kw) is low frequency (in fact all of them are). I still have the 6600 watt and the 6000 watt inverters (keeping them as backups in case my big one fails at some point).
 
kmakar said:
Apparently I misspoke, sorry about that. My inverter (18kw) is low frequency (in fact all of them are). I still have the 6600 watt and the 6000 watt inverters (keeping them as backups in case my big one fails at some point).
Click to expand...
Growatt has a 12kw inverter that weighs close to yours (201 lbs) , but the built-in solar charge controller is not very good.
The MPP Solar LVX6048WP is medium heavy (100 lbs) and is low frequency, and has a great solar charge controller.
Just can't find one yet that has both. I might add a Midnite Solar charge controller to the Growatt 12 kw unit.

Growatt 250V Dual PV Input – 48V 12000T MPV 12kW Split Phase 120V/240V output (100A at 120V ,50A at 240V) – here in Dec – Watts247.com

watts247.com watts247.com
 
Nashville Cat said:
Growatt has a 12kw inverter that weighs close to yours (201 lbs) , but the built-in solar charge controller is not very good.
The MPP Solar LVX6048WP is medium heavy (100 lbs) and is low frequency, and has a great solar charge controller.
Just can't find one yet that has both. I might add a Midnite Solar charge controller to the Growatt 12 kw unit.

Growatt 250V Dual PV Input – 48V 12000T MPV 12kW Split Phase 120V/240V output (100A at 120V ,50A at 240V) – here in Dec – Watts247.com

watts247.com watts247.com
Click to expand...

That sounds like it'll work for you. I'll try to help you in any way I can.
 
Nashville Cat said:
I think I'm going with the 8kw Outback Radian like your brother has. I'll try it with one and see if I can get by.
I can always add another one :)
This looks like a good price unless you know someplace better
https://thepowerstore.com/outback-p...States&utm_source=google+adwords&utm_content={ad}&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiNSLBhCPARIsAKNS4_ens44_thiYzcApaUpRJ8rQ7FczGxVE-6Gs02tSUmjGs5X4tHMltoMaAiFpEALw_wcB
Click to expand...

It's definitely a good one. I installed 8 of them at my brother's place.

I think you're going to find you'll need 2 of them (especially when it comes to starting your 2.5 ton AC).
 
kmakar said:
It's definitely a good one. I installed 8 of them at my brother's place.

I think you're going to find you'll need 2 of them (especially when it comes to starting your 2.5 ton AC).
Click to expand...
Probably so; Outback claims I can do it with one but I doubt it will cut it. I think I need 12 kw.
 
Nashville Cat said:
Probably so; Outback claims I can do it with one but I doubt it will cut it. I think I need 12 kw.
Click to expand...

It will run the AC with no problem, it's the startup of the AC compressor (outside unit) is where you'll have the problem. That Radian unit can only surge to 12k which will fall short of the power needed to start the compressor. You'll really need about 16k to 18k to start the AC compressor which is why I'm pretty sure you'll need 2 of them.
 
kmakar said:
It will run the AC with no problem, it's the startup of the AC compressor (outside unit) is where you'll have the problem. That Radian unit can only surge to 12k which will fall short of the power needed to start the compressor. You'll really need about 16k to 18k to start the AC compressor which is why I'm pretty sure you'll need 2 of them.
Click to expand...
On RVs they have Soft Start devices to lessen the high amp draw on compressor start, do they make such an animal for residential systems?
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
On RVs they have Soft Start devices to lessen the high amp draw on compressor start, do they make such an animal for residential systems?
Click to expand...

They do, but all it does is start the fan first, then starts the compressor about 3 to 4 seconds after (I already installed a unit in my heat pump system). The compressor still pulls alot of amps when starting (and even that still pulls 80 amps to start (total between both legs), but only requires 7.5 amps (each leg) to run.
 
Shaner said:
Can't you add capacitors to the system to handle the surges?
Click to expand...

I suppose it's possible (although I can't confirm or deny it), but you must have that kind of energy (the voltage and amperage) to start with to store in the capacitor.
 
Shaner said:
Yes, capacitors.
Click to expand...
A dc audio system will have a capacitor in it to lessen the hit on the battery for the subs etc.

Same with your ac motors. You install a capacitor to lessen the hit and add life to the motor.

When you click on a high power device it requests amperage fro. The transformer, the heat generated is lost watts that you pay for. A cap lessens that hit.
 
After 4 months of waiting, my 4 additional new LiFePO4 batteries finally arrived. Ordered the batteries and waited because they were on a container waiting to be offloaded.

Putting them on the first charge (manually) tonight, and tomorrow I'll have 1,000 AH @ 48v and will be able to go full time solar for good.
 
I'm very pleased with my decision to add the new additional batteries to my existing solar setup.

Overnight we only had a 30% DOD (Depth Of Discharge) and it will be easy to remain on solar power full time and extend the life of the batteries (about 25 to 27 years lifespan).

The cost of all the LiFePO4 batteries (a total of (10) 100ah 48v DC) when said and done came in right at $19,000 (including freight shipping), but I never have to worry about being without power again.

While this morphed from my original idea of putting in a whole house generator and cost a little more, I'm pleased with not having to deal with maintaining the generator and buying LPG on a regular basis.
 
A few questions. You know all my monthly/yearly usage and size.

1. What would you say your all in price is right now?

2. What would you estimate a price needed just to get started? All the basic items needed for a good foundation, that can be added on to? example, x1 inverter, several panels, a switch to go local power to solar power.

Maybe start out with x1 inverter like yours. But I would like to be able to add panels monthly until I max that out and then add another inverter? Remember Ill be ground mounting as well. So ill need to figure out bracket types. My intent was to concrete pipes in the ground that come up about 3" then 90* parallel to the ground, run several feet, then another 90* pack in to the ground. No idea the pipe diameter for a bracket.

Thoughts?
 
cage2592 said:
A few questions. You know all my monthly/yearly usage and size.

1. What would you say your all in price is right now?

2. What would you estimate a price needed just to get started? All the basic items needed for a good foundation, that can be added on to? example, x1 inverter, several panels, a switch to go local power to solar power.

Maybe start out with x1 inverter like yours. But I would like to be able to add panels monthly until I max that out and then add another inverter? Remember Ill be ground mounting as well. So ill need to figure out bracket types. My intent was to concrete pipes in the ground that come up about 3" then 90* parallel to the ground, run several feet, then another 90* pack in to the ground. No idea the pipe diameter for a bracket.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

1. My all in price for my setup is about $30,000, but you can also see where most of the money went to (batteries, but I'll never have to replace them again).

2. I think it'd be best to figure out your goal just starting out (what you want to power to start, and for how long).

There are multiple parts to the system, but for you, I'd start with 1 inverter like mine (18kw), 1 solar charge controller, whatever batteries you'd like to start with (flooded lead acid, sealed lead acid, LiFePO4), and at a minimum 12 solar panels (about 440 watts each).

Building a ground mount for the solar panels is very easy with parts sourced locally.

You aren't that far from me, so you got a friend to help you build and install it.
 
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