Hi Will - my situation is very similar, though on a mountain vs lakeside. Are you planning to build the battery yourself?Long time lurker, first time poster. I have been planning a solar system for my parents off grid cabin near Ottawa Ontario for a long time now. The cabin is boat/ATV access only and has no option to connect to the grid. The cabin is fully wired for AC and they currently use a Honda 2200w generator for power when required (lights at night, charging cellphones, basic power tools when working on the place). The cabin is currently used 3 seasons and closed for the winter but they do have a woodstove and insulation so it could feasibly be used in the winter. The cabin is usually used 3 or 4 days at a time and maybe a few week long stays throughout the spring/summer/fall.
The main objective of the solar system is to run a refrigerator full time whether they are there or not (May 1st -September 30th roughly). The next objective is to power a few lights at night, charge cellphones, run a vacuum occasionally, and a few hours of tv a day while they are there. With this system being unattended for periods of time throughout the season it needs to be as dependable and redundant as possible. Please have a look over the planned system and give any feedback you may have before we pull the trigger and start buying stuff!
Planned 48V System:
-16 Eve 230AH Cells with 200A JK BMS (~9.4KWH Storage using 80%)
-4 x 235w panels in series on pole mount 100ft away (119.2Vmp/148Voc)
-10AWG RPVU90 from pole mount to controller (100ft)
-Victron 250/60 MPPT
-Victron Multiplus 2 3kva (2400w Cont/5500w Surge Inverter Charger)
-Midnite Solar 125A Disconnect/Breaker Box (Battery to Inverter Breaker/Battery On/Off Switch)
-63a/150VDC Midnite Breaker Controller/Battery Connection
-30a/150VDC Midnite Breaker (array wire breaker/mostly a switch to shut off PV to controller)
I realize the array is quite undersized compared to the rest of the system, already have the panels and can expand this part of the system if the need arises. As the system currently sits will this power a fridge worry free for 3 seasons and still have power left for lights and cellphone charging etc when visiting. The system looks overbuilt for this on paper, will it have limitations in the realworld? Any comments, feedback, criticisms are very welcome! Only want to do this once!
Thank you!
Will
So I guess my last question. Is my $9.00 wifi outlet with current measuring doing pfc??Depending on the design of the inverter it may be able to do some power factor correction, but the safe assumption is to calculate the fridge as consuming the VoltAmp product.
Yes, batteries are on their way from China as I write this. Excited to see how it all comes together.Hi Will - my situation is very similar, though on a mountain vs lakeside. Are you planning to build the battery yourself?
Awesome! Thanks for sharing. Did you install at your cabin?Long overdue update on this project. Life happened and the timeline has went off the rails. Battery has been assembled and am finally running some tests on the pack via the Multiplus 2 3000va. So far could not be happier. Don't have the equipment for super accurate capacity testing but I'm confident they are close to if not better than advertised.
Currently setup in garage for testing/temporary use. Plan to complete install at cabin in the spring.
Installed, finally! Have been so busy with new baby at home, work, life etc not a lot of time for this stuff lately. My parents actually finalized the install with me helping a bit over the phone. Everything seems to be working great! Only got it operational a few weeks ago but in that time everything is as good or better than expected.Awesome! Thanks for sharing. Did you install at your cabin?
Are you still housing your batteries in a wood case? If so I would advise against it. I had something similar and at some point the balance leads arked somehow nearly starting my box on fire. When i got to it the box was well chared I think my only saving grace was the box was somewhat airtight. Since then I now put batteries in a steel box lined with HDPE. Just my two cents based on experience of screwing things up.Long overdue update on this project. Life happened and the timeline has went off the rails. Battery has been assembled and am finally running some tests on the pack via the Multiplus 2 3000va. So far could not be happier. Don't have the equipment for super accurate capacity testing but I'm confident they are close to if not better than advertised.
Currently setup in garage for testing/temporary use. Plan to complete install at cabin in the spring.
Yes still in wood, something to consider for sure thank you.Are you still housing your batteries in a wood case? If so I would advise against it. I had something similar and at some point the balance leads arked somehow nearly starting my box on fire. When i got to it the box was well chared I think my only saving grace was the box was somewhat airtight. Since then I now put batteries in a steel box lined with HDPE. Just my two cents based on experience of screwing things up.
Hey @willh - What fridge did you buy? I see the goofy "EnergyStar" tag, but I'm not sure that means anything.