Have you had any issues with your inverter or your computer running on it? I'm worried my sensitive equipment will fail without a perfect sine wave.
How many amps are you pulling off those batteries with the load you put on it in this video? Any issues charging the batteries, not having enough amp hours or your inverter shutting down due to low voltage?
Sorry for so many questions! I'm building my system now so if you could help me that would be great!
@helloman1976 Hi sorry I havent visited my page here in a while. no huge issues with the inverters, im using two of these now 1500 watt PSW by aims, i would get better ones though if i had it to do over, I would go with outback inverters they cost more but over all are much better quality. Im not pulling enough amps to make the inverter warm up at this point, I need more batteries for it though, I have 4 I need 8 or two seperate banks I can switch through, let me know how yours turns out pls.tx
@dancaldwell230 Awesome, thanks for the info. I got 4 batteries (12V@115ah each), a MPPT 60A charge controller and 800W of PV so I'll be making new videos soon. Check out my current videos too...
Why do you need 8 batteries? How long did those 4 last you? How much PV do you have charging the system? What I'd like to get is a basic idea of how your system works so I can tell what I'm going to "need" for mine. Do you desulfate your battery bank?
@helloman1976 well the batteries last until I turn it off at a night never been below 12.5 yet. I get as much as 62v of panel voltage depending on the sun that day, havent seen it max out in watts yet but mine are flat on the roof no angle to them, its so windy here on such a light roof that I felt that was safer. it all jsut depends on the sun but even full sun it hasnt reached its max wattage or voltage yet it charges the batteries fairly quickly. I need 8 so i can run more stuff! 2 banks of 4
@dancaldwell230 That's what I was hoping you would say lol, they last until you turn your system off, I hope mine does the same! I'm glad to see you expanding because I started small with the intension of expanding as well. 12.5V as the low is awesome and your batteries should last 10 years if you take proper care of them at that rate. Make sure to equalize them or desulfate them. A good charge controller will take excellent care of them no doubt. I'm looking forward to mine!
@helloman1976 the tri star does the equ. charge automatic once a month, it also has an internet hook up so i can see on my browser whats goin on 24/7. I have this one addition on the solar so I would like to have 2 banks of batteries that I can switch between, one bank charged, and one working/charging. easy to do so y not.?
the 6v 220ah batteries are better as they are made for deep discharge and hold more AH. cost more but better all around. what type inverter you have there on your video?
@dancaldwell230 Do you use 2 YouTube IDs? dancaldwell and rar1963? Anyway I got the same charge controller 60A MPPT Tri star and a Go power 1500 watt inverter which is why I found your video so interesting I'm sure lol... That inverter is a Powerjack grid tie MPPT inverter and that's for my smaller array of 350W that tries to off-sets my house power to near zero...still need another 250 watts to get zero when we aren't at home. Email me directly on YouTube and let's carry on this conv. there ok?
@helloman1976 I noticed on your video you want to get a 15a breaker, on the back of your panels it should give you a max on the amps output you should go with that spec for your breaker to be in code. also make sure your wires are 125% of the rated current they carry, also for code, bigger is better
@dancaldwell230 What I did was look at the panels and took the "shorted" amperage. Then I did a real world example with a Watt's up meter to see what maximum amperage actually was when under load. The max I've ever seen is 12A out of those panels and it was only for a few moments but it was there. A 15A circuit breaker would work, the 30A I have now will not. I tested my 30A breaker with a 9V battery shorted and it tripped so maybe it would?
@helloman1976 I ma curious if your designing this to code? everything has to be 125%of the rated max. wires breakers all of it. the sticker on the back of the panels should have your max amps, use that for your first DC disconnect, add 25% though. so if it says 15 amps max amps then use the next highest breaker (not square D)
@ 20amp etc same for wires fuses etc. the main thing you should have is that GFPD it will save your system if something goes wrong and your not there, put a DC dis. outside
Respond to this video...my panels were 205 watts @ 18amp max I used a 20amp breaker for DC and it works just fine as the panels cannot put out more than the rated max amps no matter what, so add that 25% margin and I went with 20 amps no problems, also after your charge controller you need another breaker rated at the chargers amperage mine is a 60amp charger so i have a 60amp breaker there as a disconnect, then to the batts. and fused (300 amp) coming into the master switch then inv.
@dancaldwell230 I'm not designing my on-grid stuff to code, the MAN can kiss my GD a**!! :) There's no code for off-grid so it's fine since nothing is physically mounted to the house, the panels are on the ground etc.
I'm going to do fuses like that too especially on the battery bank since it can put out deadly and fire starting amperage in a blink.
@helloman1976 lol yeah, there is code for any solar elec. though off grid too. used to be they didnt care about panels if they were on the ground now they care. its that gfpd thing ya gotta have now no matter what. well if ya live in a co where they are lookin that is
@dancaldwell230 There's no code in my area for off-grid if it's not attached to a residence, I checked. My panels are not visible to anyone regardless. I always properly ground everything and I always make everything as safe as POSSIBLE. I have fire extinguishers and a carbon monoxide and dioxide detector near my battery bank too. I have 1.15kw of PV total and about 5,500 watts of storage in batteries currently with future upgrades coming... like you I want to double my bank to 8 batteries.
@helloman1976 sweet, how much do you have tied up in yours if you dont mind my asking, im at about
2800, roughly, got the panels cheap on ebay well not dirt cheap but a lot cheaper than from the company anyway, like i said I would go with a better inverter next time though, tristar is a sweet charger I love that.
@dancaldwell230 I expect to produce about 37% of my own power based on current usage and I have spent $2450 dollars for everything, this includes the 30% tax rebate. I will expand as I go but probably not until the Republicans are out of office 2012 so we can get tax breaks on solar/wind again. I took full advantage of the stimulus money on alternative energy tax breaks in 2010 :) The maximum deduction in 2011 is expected to be $500, down from $1500 and no more solar/wind.
@helloman1976 thats good! I didnt get any help at all, around here its gotta be 50% of supplied and grid tied so i didnt qualify....oh well. nice work helloman. i will check your page for updates now and again thanks for the conv. not enough folks doing this yet.
@dancaldwell230 You still qualify for the 2010 Federal tax rebate if you have your receipts. Go to the GOV website and get he form and get your tax break. In Oregon you can get 80% of your alternative energy paid for, 50% from the state (like you) and 30% from the Feds. Contact me anytime, I will respond and I will help anyone who wants to do this or anything else. J
Respond to this video...check out oynot dot com they have lots of hard to come by info that can help ya if ya have any questions, i am not affiliated with them in any way, but finding good solid info on solar can be tough i found out, so had good luck reading there about how to do it proper. lots of ways to do it though but in my town they have inspec. everywhere nosy neighbors etc. so f*&^^% ewm i had to do it right depsite my best efforts otherwise lol
oh didnt know that thanks! im looking for your inverter on that site right now they are cheap but most look like mod.. sine wave
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
Have you had any issues with your inverter or your computer running on it? I'm worried my sensitive equipment will fail without a perfect sine wave.
How many amps are you pulling off those batteries with the load you put on it in this video? Any issues charging the batteries, not having enough amp hours or your inverter shutting down due to low voltage?
Sorry for so many questions! I'm building my system now so if you could help me that would be great!
I want that same MPPT controller!!!
helloman1976 1 year ago
@helloman1976 Hi sorry I havent visited my page here in a while. no huge issues with the inverters, im using two of these now 1500 watt PSW by aims, i would get better ones though if i had it to do over, I would go with outback inverters they cost more but over all are much better quality. Im not pulling enough amps to make the inverter warm up at this point, I need more batteries for it though, I have 4 I need 8 or two seperate banks I can switch through, let me know how yours turns out pls.tx
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
@dancaldwell230 Awesome, thanks for the info. I got 4 batteries (12V@115ah each), a MPPT 60A charge controller and 800W of PV so I'll be making new videos soon. Check out my current videos too...
Why do you need 8 batteries? How long did those 4 last you? How much PV do you have charging the system? What I'd like to get is a basic idea of how your system works so I can tell what I'm going to "need" for mine. Do you desulfate your battery bank?
helloman1976 1 year ago
@helloman1976 well the batteries last until I turn it off at a night never been below 12.5 yet. I get as much as 62v of panel voltage depending on the sun that day, havent seen it max out in watts yet but mine are flat on the roof no angle to them, its so windy here on such a light roof that I felt that was safer. it all jsut depends on the sun but even full sun it hasnt reached its max wattage or voltage yet it charges the batteries fairly quickly. I need 8 so i can run more stuff! 2 banks of 4
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
@dancaldwell230 That's what I was hoping you would say lol, they last until you turn your system off, I hope mine does the same! I'm glad to see you expanding because I started small with the intension of expanding as well. 12.5V as the low is awesome and your batteries should last 10 years if you take proper care of them at that rate. Make sure to equalize them or desulfate them. A good charge controller will take excellent care of them no doubt. I'm looking forward to mine!
helloman1976 1 year ago
@helloman1976 the tri star does the equ. charge automatic once a month, it also has an internet hook up so i can see on my browser whats goin on 24/7. I have this one addition on the solar so I would like to have 2 banks of batteries that I can switch between, one bank charged, and one working/charging. easy to do so y not.?
the 6v 220ah batteries are better as they are made for deep discharge and hold more AH. cost more but better all around. what type inverter you have there on your video?
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
@dancaldwell230 Do you use 2 YouTube IDs? dancaldwell and rar1963? Anyway I got the same charge controller 60A MPPT Tri star and a Go power 1500 watt inverter which is why I found your video so interesting I'm sure lol... That inverter is a Powerjack grid tie MPPT inverter and that's for my smaller array of 350W that tries to off-sets my house power to near zero...still need another 250 watts to get zero when we aren't at home. Email me directly on YouTube and let's carry on this conv. there ok?
helloman1976 1 year ago
@helloman1976 I noticed on your video you want to get a 15a breaker, on the back of your panels it should give you a max on the amps output you should go with that spec for your breaker to be in code. also make sure your wires are 125% of the rated current they carry, also for code, bigger is better
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
@dancaldwell230 What I did was look at the panels and took the "shorted" amperage. Then I did a real world example with a Watt's up meter to see what maximum amperage actually was when under load. The max I've ever seen is 12A out of those panels and it was only for a few moments but it was there. A 15A circuit breaker would work, the 30A I have now will not. I tested my 30A breaker with a 9V battery shorted and it tripped so maybe it would?
helloman1976 1 year ago
@helloman1976 I ma curious if your designing this to code? everything has to be 125%of the rated max. wires breakers all of it. the sticker on the back of the panels should have your max amps, use that for your first DC disconnect, add 25% though. so if it says 15 amps max amps then use the next highest breaker (not square D)
@ 20amp etc same for wires fuses etc. the main thing you should have is that GFPD it will save your system if something goes wrong and your not there, put a DC dis. outside
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
Respond to this video...my panels were 205 watts @ 18amp max I used a 20amp breaker for DC and it works just fine as the panels cannot put out more than the rated max amps no matter what, so add that 25% margin and I went with 20 amps no problems, also after your charge controller you need another breaker rated at the chargers amperage mine is a 60amp charger so i have a 60amp breaker there as a disconnect, then to the batts. and fused (300 amp) coming into the master switch then inv.
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
@dancaldwell230 I'm not designing my on-grid stuff to code, the MAN can kiss my GD a**!! :) There's no code for off-grid so it's fine since nothing is physically mounted to the house, the panels are on the ground etc.
I'm going to do fuses like that too especially on the battery bank since it can put out deadly and fire starting amperage in a blink.
helloman1976 1 year ago
@helloman1976 lol yeah, there is code for any solar elec. though off grid too. used to be they didnt care about panels if they were on the ground now they care. its that gfpd thing ya gotta have now no matter what. well if ya live in a co where they are lookin that is
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
@dancaldwell230 There's no code in my area for off-grid if it's not attached to a residence, I checked. My panels are not visible to anyone regardless. I always properly ground everything and I always make everything as safe as POSSIBLE. I have fire extinguishers and a carbon monoxide and dioxide detector near my battery bank too. I have 1.15kw of PV total and about 5,500 watts of storage in batteries currently with future upgrades coming... like you I want to double my bank to 8 batteries.
helloman1976 1 year ago
@helloman1976 sweet, how much do you have tied up in yours if you dont mind my asking, im at about
2800, roughly, got the panels cheap on ebay well not dirt cheap but a lot cheaper than from the company anyway, like i said I would go with a better inverter next time though, tristar is a sweet charger I love that.
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
@dancaldwell230 I expect to produce about 37% of my own power based on current usage and I have spent $2450 dollars for everything, this includes the 30% tax rebate. I will expand as I go but probably not until the Republicans are out of office 2012 so we can get tax breaks on solar/wind again. I took full advantage of the stimulus money on alternative energy tax breaks in 2010 :) The maximum deduction in 2011 is expected to be $500, down from $1500 and no more solar/wind.
helloman1976 1 year ago
@helloman1976 thats good! I didnt get any help at all, around here its gotta be 50% of supplied and grid tied so i didnt qualify....oh well. nice work helloman. i will check your page for updates now and again thanks for the conv. not enough folks doing this yet.
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
@dancaldwell230 You still qualify for the 2010 Federal tax rebate if you have your receipts. Go to the GOV website and get he form and get your tax break. In Oregon you can get 80% of your alternative energy paid for, 50% from the state (like you) and 30% from the Feds. Contact me anytime, I will respond and I will help anyone who wants to do this or anything else. J
helloman1976 1 year ago
@dancaldwell230 I got this unit, I dare you to find it cheaper!!! Find the GP-SW1500-24 on boatandrvaccessories dot c o m and you'll see it...
helloman1976 1 year ago
@helloman1976 ok i will check it out
dancaldwell230 1 year ago
Respond to this video...check out oynot dot com they have lots of hard to come by info that can help ya if ya have any questions, i am not affiliated with them in any way, but finding good solid info on solar can be tough i found out, so had good luck reading there about how to do it proper. lots of ways to do it though but in my town they have inspec. everywhere nosy neighbors etc. so f*&^^% ewm i had to do it right depsite my best efforts otherwise lol
dancaldwell230 1 year ago