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And now I'm regretting not running water to my solar panels when I had that trench open. Oops. I wanted passive solar hot water at some point, too. Daaaaaang.

Well, running the calcs it totally makes sense now. Power Loss=(−0.36%/°C)×((68°C)−(25°C))×(400 Watts) = -62 w/panel loss -62*6 (panels) = 371 w loss. Nameplate: 2400w, corrected to be about 2048w. 🤣 I love me some ChatGPT. I've heard it's particularly bad at math! You think!?!? 🤦‍♂️

For $hits and giggles, and being a man of science in cargo shorts, I just hoisted a ladder up to the panels and gave them a good spray. Works! Not a ton of water, just a spritz for a minute or so. Looks like it has about a 10 minute effect. Before Spraying After Spraying Roof Temp...

Not yet, but could be in my future. I do have an irradiance meter I can break out to get some manually collected data. Helps I can work from home on the nice days!

They're awesome devices. And great cat toys. 😀 I was curious if anyone employed active cooling, but of course, it's been discussed. I was thinking a thermostatic valve attached to line pressure water and a simple mister, but sounds like more hassle than it's worth. Wasn't prepared for the...

Small, but noticeable. All this solar stuff is mostly a hands-on exploration to learn the nuance of it all - so pouring over the data is really interesting to me. Seeing the effect of shade, heat, etc. I'll start tracking temp vs. output on these really nice days and see what the difference...

Measuring as simple as using a handheld device like this?

TL;DR: Is this reduction in peak power a result of my panels getting hotter? I didn't check voltages, so don't know if there was clipping going on at the inverter level. We have another glorious day today, hotter than yesterday, and my production curve is already just-slightly-lower than the...

The 20% discount looks like a good-faith effort to make you happy, without having to process and take the expense of a return. The other stuff is perhaps them proactively wanting to see if your experience is a one-off or not - perhaps to help them decide whether to continue selling the product...

I decided to pull the trigger on another rack mount one, from Amazon this time. I filled my batteries by 3:30 today after days and days of meager production, and we only had 4 hours of full-sun today (clouds from 8a-11a). The extra 5% off pushed me over the line. 😀 Hopefully this one is as good...

Awesome! I went with the Vatrer because of the Lithium Solar teardown. With it, I gain a nice LCD, but lose communications. Since I can't really use the comms with my setup, it's not a huge loss. Congrats on getting 2 good ones!

I'm still happy with mine - blissfully boring, actually. Tempted to get another on Amazon - $1044, and 5% back through Amazon card = ~$945 --> $185/kWh. That ain't bad, but since I avoided (will-powah!!) getting those $50 100w panels, not sure I can use the extra storage consistently.

Actually, if you read the product page, Mixing valve info page, that's exactly the scenario they describe (even the temp!). The problem is that you'll have to feed it fresh cold water to get it to the 35c, so if you're concerned about bugs in the fresh water line, you're just re-introducing...

When I gutted my bathroom, I put in a bidet. Being an overachiever, I wanted warm water. Reducing complication, I put in one of these mixing valves to at least have the max temp be < scalding. Seems to work reasonably well, isn't hard to install and set, and is easy to adjust...

I've always believed captured data >> model output.

Not sure I'd agree that it's insulation, but more of a heat sink. I wonder, given enough time, would the roof equalize. The panels are absorbing ~ 80% of the solar energy (20% efficient panels), and then radiating it out - some of that energy is presumably radiating down towards the roof as...

My propane generator is in my detached garage, and when (if) I have to run it, I'm just going to just close the doors and hold my breath when I go in to shut it off. 😅

I know it's frustrating, but it's a valid concern. That seal thing could work (it's still not a SEAL). Heck, a roll of duct tape sitting on the generator with a note saying "tape up dryer vent before using" would probably be good enough.

How does the pipe affect the quality of the sound? How did you affix the bent (copper?) to the black (steel?)?

I'm pretty sure the exhaust gasses are heavier than air, so they'd sink. If you run them up - I'm not really sure what will happen. Will they act as a compressible fluid and just get pumped up the stack and then drop back down / get caught in the wind? Likely the extra back pressure won't be...

I have 6 of the 400w panels. Even with sub-optimal angle (16 degrees vs 31 optimal), I'm frequently pulling in 2000+ watts. Not sure I've hit 2400w, but have come really close. (So yes, they hit rated power nicely, in my experience)

That's awesome! I'm about 500w when I'm off solar/battery. About 100w when the sun is being all sunny sun like.

Looks about right. 🤣 Mine's not much different.

Apologies, I searched high and low and only found threads on HOW to get it working, but none discussing WHY. ChatGPT and I juar had a long talk just now and I'm still not sure. Say you have an device (AIO/Inverter/Whatever) connected to N batteries. I assume it reads the BMS SOC and if sees...

Too bad my kids have outgrown cardboard playhouse age! I think I need another shed to hold my packaging. And I'll add solar to it since it's an open roof. But then I'll have more boxes to store... 🤣

So, I have these boxes for my batteries, AIO inverters, etc. If something goes wrong, there's bold wording to SAVE THIS PACKAGING!!! How long do folks hold onto their packaging before recycling it? Wait a month, stress test things, and see if you get infant mortality? Length of the warranty...

Post pix and description of how comms are working. Mine's been running a-ok and I'd be open to getting another based on my experience. I mean, it's cells, BMS, and a nice case. I'm just wondering how long I should wait before tossing all my packaging.

$199 delivered for 5 ($40/each or $0.40/watt). Not bad if they're any good and you need the size. I have a ridge on my roof that could hold a few more panels... 🤔 tempting!

😜 Yes, of course. 🤓!

Reducing load became a game to me. My whole house idles about 200w now. My critical loads are about 500w above that, but it’s all solar/battery powered. It’s amazing what picking away at things does - upgrading to efficient items when it’s time, insulating here and there, dialing back the...

Today my batteries were full by 2:30. So the inverter stopped pulling. So I turned on the window AC to pull more power to get that sweet sweet ROI 🤣 a bit higher.

Gotta say, after using this for a week or so - it was a pretty boring upgrade! I heard that at full charge is where the cell imbalance could be seen if it exists. Doesn't appear so to me.

Honestly, I have no idea. I think I might use one set and grind a strap channel so I can loop a strap around it for a sense of security so it doesn't flop over on my DIY Dolly.

What started out as a humorous post ("Vast empty roof, no!") actually got me thinking with all the comments about roof leaks, etc. Neat! Also makes me glad I punched holes in my garage roof where I'm feeling ambivalent about leaks.