Watch my power meter run backwards

Don't worry it's not illegal This is what a grid tie inverter does to offset your power usage... I am using batteries to simulate a solar array or a wind turbine, but it works the same way.

BTW don't even bother listening to the folks or ads that say "I replaced my power bill with a $250 wind turbine that I built, or I built my own solar panels for $200 and dont pay a power bill any more". It just doesn't work that way (unless you live in a cardboard box)!

Make sure to go to http://www.sunshinewindmill.com so you can fill out the form for a free solar assessment and feasibility study. Sorry this is only for all my GA buds.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• power meter
• backwards
• inverter
• ul1741
• grid tie
• 24 volt
• offset your power usage

[tankman1962]

I suppose you charged up your battery from your home supply so whatever you illegally took back you only spent on the charge, waste of time and tampering will get you in trouble.

[bentlysharris]

@tankman1962 it is just a demonstration of how a grid interactive system works, you're meter runs backwards when you produce power... But thanks for your insight.

[ForefitureServices]

@tankman1962 This is not illeagle nor is it tampering; all he needs to do now install solar panels and a charge controller and he can produce his own power during a black out, what ever he dont use goes out through the meter causing it to spin backwards thus saving him money on his bill. If he where to sign up for "Net Metering" with his local power company he could make money for sending his excess power back to the grid. I am credited $0. 11 for every KWH I send back with my solar backup

[rosiebpi]

can you give me an advise coz one to plan...

i want to create an generator, using car battery, car alternator and washing machine motor

the system is like this.. bat. to inverter to start the wash motor to drive the alternator output of alter. to inverter ...then i will consume the remaining voltage form inverter, recycling...

[rosiebpi]

what is the different of ordinary inverter to your tie grid inverter .... coz. i have a ordinary inverter 12 input 220v. output 1500 watts is this possible to run my electric meter backwards.... also i read that one comments saying that when the meter run back, but the dial run forward ... do you believe that... as i know in mechanism once run forward it runs forward.. am i right, once run backward it runs backward as well ...

[dirt4b]

the big dial moves in reverse , does the other 5 little dials move in reverse also?

[TheDigitalWeb]

So, are you using solar or wind power ? How many KW's are you putting to the meter?

[machinationu]

Just wait til they give u the new meter, you will be charged for the power both ways.

[TheChipmunk2008]

@desher12 They lied :-) They may not support them, but they do exist. In fact, the old electromechanical meters automagically run backwards, although the ones with a numeric counter (odometer type) register won't count properly backwards. As mentioned in the comments, modern electric digital smartmeters will do it automatically if programmed to do so.

[letseeitplease]

hey how did you keep from getting a shock or causeing an electrical explosion?

thanks for showing your video, it was really interesting, i enjoyed it,

[ATVVideoProductions]

If you have a solar generator, or wind turbine, the electricity you produce, but do not use will go back into the grid, and thus your meter will run backwards. Perfectly legal.

And yes the smart meters do register how much power you `sell`` back to the power company.