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In the process of getting the Trace/Xantrex power panel up in the new shed. The Trace SW5548's are 130# each, so getting them up and bolted is tricky by myself. I used a come-a-long and a rope harness to get the high one up, then man handled the second one. Since I had to find second breakers...

I just bought a Temco lug crimper with handles that will crimp from 8 AWG to 4/0 AWG, and it works like a charm! I had a couple of 6 gauge fittings to crimp it squashed them like butter. I was a little leary of the 4/0's, but it's just the same with them. Easy. The crimper has a stainless gauge...

Thanks, Luke. By being in series, I'm guessing that you're saying that I should disconnect the wires coming into the combiner box and run the meter between the series + and - wires, meaning that by checking them still hooked up to the breaker and ground block was a mistake? I'm pretty sure that...

Ahhh... Didn't know you could do that. No, I actually did try (on one) to drain it and put Epsom salt water in it and charged it, but just moving that thing around convinced me it was a waste of time. Plus, I pretty much decided years ago to use LiFePo batteries instead. So now the question is...

LG inverter type is what we have.

Adding a second inverter to a power panel that was a single set up when I bought it. While wiring the AC disconnect box, I've found that there are 'service crimps' in the manual and on my original one, but the second breaker that I found for it didn't come with them. Sort of like a split bolt...

I'm veering away from using my Miller 250 Bobcat lp welder/11kw generator (if I can't figure out how to get an auto choke on it), and looking for a good 240v capable generator to back up our system. I'd rather get a good American or at least a brand I've used on industrial Ironworking jobs...

The shed is the housing for the system electronics. Putting on new shingles is maintenance, not new build. And, at least for the present, the shed has one purpose, and that is to shelter the RE equipment. I would assume taking maintenance for a previously built home off taxes just to have a...

Maybe there's a local ordinance denying solar panels on roofs or poles??

Since we got our off grid system commissioned this year, I turned in most of my list of expenses to my accountants. The firm are experts in RE taxes, and when I called to pay for their services, my accountant gave me some surprisingly bad news. Apparently, I can't use the credits because he said...

Thanks! But it's way too small for a ground rod clamp. It's only 5/16" 'thick', 7/16" wide and 11/16" tall (minus the screw). As one picture shows, it will fit between the breaker fins at the wire connection point. It's pretty tiny. But I will definitely check Home Depot, although the nearest...

Right. Out here in the sticks, those types might be tough to find, Substrate. Arc welder zappers?? I've been a welder for 45 years, but I'm not sure what those are. Or what they would need old batteries for.

I have the manual (two for the Trace's, one for the Trace/Xantrex). And I've read all that you've referred to, many times. What I need now is to know if and how it is accomplished. Yes, I've had the system set up since last summer, but the back up genny hasn't been an issue since we seldom need...

So, Oz, I remember seeing before that you may have had a system like mine. I don't know if you still have/use it (I see the 4048's on your signature), but how did you set up your generator on yours?

So... you don't worry about conserving energy, then. We've been planning this and the earth covered home we're building for years, and back when we started the first thing I found was to ditch the electric appliances. But that's a lot of extra storage you've got! You can't possibly need all that...

I've just completed installing a grundforss sqflex pump and something is weird here. I have it wired direct (no batteries) to a series of (6) Evergreen Solar 120w panels. It was late afternoon when I finally got it wired and operational. The panels are on a temporary stationary ground mount I...

I believe they're from 1999, but it could be earlier, AlpineJoe. Sunshine- I have a non-crappy wind generator. You might try one of those instead. But if you ever decide to fulfill your fantasy for a lesser one, I've got a Whisper AirX 400 I'll sell you cheap.

I have two Trace SW5548 inverter/chargers in a system I've recently gotten up and running. Since we haven't built our house there yet, I haven't hooked up a back up generator, but it's time, and I have a question for you, jimf909. Two questions, actually. 1) The inverters are set up to actuate...

Chrisskie- I trust this place. I think he does know what he's talking about. What evidence do you have that he's not right? Danke- thank you for that information. I had heard 6 years, but wasn't sure. We will be building a new home this year and sell the one we're presently in, but plan on...

Has anybody else even heard of SOK batts?

If you squirt water on it, you could have a solar slip n' slide! Actually, it looks like it could lift off at any moment and become a solar magic carpet.

I'm getting my panels mounted on the 1st of 2 racks, and I've got the home run wires and ground wire in place, getting ready to mount the 1st combiner box to the pole (using MT Solar's top of pole 12 panel racks). These racks are built at waist level, raised up by chain fall, then the rigging to...

Why not set them side by side?

Just realize that the strings' (panels in a single series) voltage has to be under your charge controllers intended voltage. If you're cc only handles 150v, like a Midnite Solar Classic 150, you can't (safely) go over 150 per string. But you can parallel smaller strings together, as long as...

Thank you!

I'll be using a dual Trace SW5548 inverter system. Its charger is programmable.

Thanks, fellas. I was really hoping I could get this system up and going in this tax year, until I read that they've renewed the credits and if we wait till next year, it will be 30% instead of 26%. Oh well, as long as it gets done!

I have 2 original Trace C40 pwm charge controllers that I acquired when I bought my two Trace SW5548 inverters that I've held onto until I got my system up and running. I bought them, knowing that I would probably never use them (I have a used one from a complete system I'd bought a few years...

Thanks, OZ! I know there are people on here (you, for one) are here with these systems that either use them or are going to. I just forget who those people are, so I can't ask them. But, yeah, the 100ah are the one's I'm about to order. I finally heard back from the guy at Current Connections...

No, OT, we're about an hour south of STL, but parts of it really got it. Our son and his family live in the Webster Groves section, but it didn't seem to affect them. Our son's ex (mon of our grandkids) lives closer in to the ciity proper, but they were ok too. I heard they got 8" in a matter of...