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  • Post in thread: Letter from ABYC President re LiFePo4 safety on boats

    I hope they release a good complete report with photos and such. Interesting work done. ABYC President's Message Common Sense ABYC is built on a tradition of common sense and real world experiences. Early in my technical days, I was told ABYC designed the Standards...
  • Post in thread: EDITED TITLE: Why not common Neutral? What is dangerous about it?

    Well, codes/standards are written to provide a safe outcome even with a fault. Yes, you could do things differently in a zero fault environment but as you say the world is imperfect. The ABYC Standards (similar to NEC I would think) generally require TWO simultaneous faults or installation...
  • Post in thread: EDITED TITLE: Why not common Neutral? What is dangerous about it?

    My comment on why you should not have a "common neutral" on an inverter input and output. This is the way I visualize it: 1. Electricity always wants to get back to its source. 2. Ground conductor (green) should never have any current under normal conditions. 3. Purpose of ground...
  • Post in thread: What are the top 5 gotchas for going totally off grid

    Does not compute. 9 deg north in Nov-Mar is more my speed.
  • Post in thread: Products to make a ground mounted array into a weatherproof "roof"

    Thank you all for the comments and thoughts. Maybe to make the connection easy to access and to help with panel longevity I will just put the roof on top of the panels. :unsure:
  • Post in thread: Going to install inverter bypass in RV to stop buzzing while hooked to shore power

    What firmware are you running? The early firmware in these units had an issue with loud and constant buzzing. I brought it to their attention after I sold a few of first batch of these to arrive in states. They resolved the issue with a new firmware.
  • Post in thread: A little frustrated after upgrading to 24 volts Growatt 3000

    Yes I'm sure you know but since power and energy are the crux of the issue in this case I thought he may need to understand the difference. Party on!:cool:
  • Post in thread: Many here say that an alternator should not be connected to LiFePO4 and that one should use DC-DC Charger

    Your HP numbers are a bit exaggerated, no? 150a * 14.4v = 2,160w 2,160w / 746w/hp = 2.9hp Yes, of course there is loss but to use 10hp that would imply that for every watt made greater than 3w was lost. Obviously (to me anyway) I was using extreme examples of alternator size but it is quite...
  • Post in thread: Many here say that an alternator should not be connected to LiFePO4 and that one should use DC-DC Charger

    I understand the reasons. A stock alternator directly connected to Lithium is a problem as the low internal resistance will cause high continuous currents and kill the alternator by heat. But many (most?) serious cruisers who rely on an alternator for significant battery charging will have a...
  • Post in thread: Any takers for the new EV outboard, $80,000 dollars and range of 30 miles

    We installed an electric propulsion conversion from old inboard diesel in a classic sailboat years ago. As often happens there was scope creep as the owner wanted more comforts like a big inverter to run everything including air conditioning (since he had a big battery.) But the battery isn't...
  • Post in thread: 25kWh daily output, but I only used to need 10kWh per day.

    Some standard electric meters will continue to count up even if current is flowing in opposite direction. Maybe you are feeding the grid and paying for the privilege?
  • Post in thread: What are the top 5 gotchas for going totally off grid

    Concrete, stucco, tile, and good bug resistant hardwoods....and a pest control contract with regular visits.
  • Post in thread: What are the top 5 gotchas for going totally off grid

    This is about what I am planning. And I will have 2 days poor solar in the rainy season. But I will use the Grid as my generator if/when necessary which is a huge luxury over actually have a generator and the issues with fuel, noise, maintenance etc. The grid is not super reliable so it...
  • Post in thread: Victron 100/30 and DC Load/Charge battery from same buss bar

    Disagree with last two posts. Victron load protect spec sheet and instructions are specific. “* The BatteryProtect is not designed for reverse currents from charging sources” I would follow manufacturers instructions and keep warranty intact.
  • Post in thread: Will Renogy DC-DC MPPT keep my starter battery topped up just from solar?

    I would just do a small Victron DC-DC charger from house battery to start battery. You only need a small "trickle charge" to keep the engine battery healthy. You can program it for the exact charge profile required by the LA battery.
  • Post in thread: Lifepo4 cells from USA to Costa Rica.

    Hi. I'm new here but I have a house in Uvita, Costa Rica and I am actually starting to design another house we will build for retirement. I am going to have to ship down solar stuff including batteries as well as many other construction supplies. I will likely do a container as some point...
  • Post in thread: Best Solar/battery/inverter topography for grid assisted off-grid in Costa Rica

    Literally just replaced an entire dishwasher due to power related damage/malfunction. It was going to take too long to get the main control board to fix it and we had renters in the house back to back and just had to get a working unit in. So yes, still happening. The new house will be a...
  • Post in thread: Victron Cerbo-GX 48v System Bulletin

    At least Victron is honest and forthright with the information and provides real technical info and a fix. There is no shady denial that an issue exists like many manufacturers.
  • Post in thread: Installed renogy solar; waterproof 60amp fuse issue? Batteries not charging

    Are we not going to talk about the reversed polarity wiring on both AC in and out on inverter? And that black electrical tape is a likely sign of covering up something that shouldn’t be there.
  • Post in thread: Victron 100/30 and DC Load/Charge battery from same buss bar

    Yes it does need the negative to work. And yes it is OK to connect to the bus bar.
  • Post in thread: EDITED TITLE: Why not common Neutral? What is dangerous about it?

    OK Filter - here is a scenario where common N inside inverter would be problem. This is a very common arrangement in marine world: Consider a system with Utility power and N-G bond at the main entry panel. There is also a generator so there is a transfer switch that switches between grid or...
  • Post in thread: What are the top 5 gotchas for going totally off grid

    Not negotiable. You are not incorrect. They do cost money but labor is cheap here for routine maint. This is not a frugal living situation. It is a high end luxury home and the pool is an important design element. Yes want to save on expensive electricity but grid is unstable and damages...
  • Post in thread: EDITED TITLE: Why not common Neutral? What is dangerous about it?

    This thread is crazy. The improper title, now the GFCI side-topic woven through. <hits F5>
  • Post in thread: ABYC standards for marine lithium?

    I can confirm that Victron is using CALB cells in at least some of its batteries. We sold some and inside the wooden crates they ship in we found these. I think these were found in a 25.6v/200ah crate. I was trying to see what CALB cells could make up 25.6v/200ah. You can see in the other...
  • Post in thread: What are the top 5 gotchas for going totally off grid

    Propane is available in town but I have to hump it to the house myself (or pay a Tico worker). It isn't cheap. No way to have propane delivered so no way to have a large storage tank. I'm OK humping small bottles for now buy maybe avoiding that is good long term planning for getting older...
  • Post in thread: Victron Smart Shunt and Battery Monitors

    The shunt looks to be wired in correctly. THank you for providing the photos. mikefitz already put together a great post with some guidance on programming. I would say the biggest problem in your settings is probably the SmartShunt tail current. The default 4% is 8amps on your 200ah setup...
  • Post in thread: What are the top 5 gotchas for going totally off grid

    1. You are correct. Luckily I am in the marine electrical business and will get all marine grade gear at wholesale and import it in carry on bags. Some long cable runs will require I source cable in country but all wiring at the batteries/inverters etc will be marine that I import. All those...
  • Post in thread: Many here say that an alternator should not be connected to LiFePO4 and that one should use DC-DC Charger

    Not picking on anybody in particular but this was put out as a "you have to" mandate twice in a recent thread. Yes it may be a good option in some cases but it it not the only option and can be very limiting...
  • Post in thread: shore power battery charger (ac to dc 100amp)

    I would do a little research because I suspect this Chinesium power supply does not isolate AC Neutral and DC negative due to the use of a cheap single winding transformer. This is a BIG no no on boats as it can be a cause of major stray current which can both cause corrosion, will trip shore...
  • Post in thread: What are the top 5 gotchas for going totally off grid

    I’m building a house from the ground up in Costa Rica which will be off grid with grid back up. I’m going to do a very high-quality system with basically all Victron maybe even Victron batteries as I am Victron dealer and get good pricing. I have every choice in front of me for how the...
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