diy solar

diy solar

Can I get a spot check on my first solar build.

patssle

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Joined
Sep 6, 2023
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19
Location
Houston
Meant to be for emergency power and also run a few small things to reduce my electricity bill. It's a temporary solution until I can put a full solar system on my roof. Might add an AC to DC charger later but for now, don't really want to expand beyond a bare minimum (which is very tempting!).

solar.jpg
 
Inverter could be small if you want to run a microwave, mini split, etc...I love those inverters but they are just a bit to underpowered for allot of appliances. But as you said, bare min.
 
Inverter could be small if you want to run a microwave, mini split, etc...I love those inverters but they are just a bit to underpowered for allot of appliances. But as you said, bare min.

I do have a generator for larger power draws. However my mini split pulls 550-650 watts and this inverter can peak up to 2200.

Unfortunately to scale up at 48v gets expensive quick beyond this inverter.
 
What AC voltage?
The color scheme isn't standard for European or North American.
 
I do have a generator for larger power draws. However my mini split pulls 550-650 watts and this inverter can peak up to 2200.

Unfortunately to scale up at 48v gets expensive quick beyond this inverter.
Peak for just a few seconds, tops. Its a hybrid LF so that helps. What mini split are you using? Some of the smallest 9K BTU can run up to 1400. Perhaps someone with this inverter can chime in. Its a nice efficient unit.
 
Peak for just a few seconds, tops. Its a hybrid LF so that helps. What mini split are you using? Some of the smallest 9K BTU can run up to 1400. Perhaps someone with this inverter can chime in. Its a nice efficient unit.
Pioneer 9k. https://www.pioneerminisplit.com/pr...-mini-split-air-conditioner-heat-pump-115-vac

Spec sheet says AC pulls 720 watts at 115v, my breaker meter (Vue 2) shows 550 watts on normal mode, 650 watts on turbo. I think the inverter 2200 peak should cover the startup surge and it's well below the 1000 watt continuous rating.
 
View attachment 211938

Neutral should not connect to earth.
The grounding system should.
The inverter can be configured to neutral floating or neutral connected to earth. Since this is an isolated "grid", from reading Victron's wiring document, I believe it should be neutral connected to earth which is the system grounding wire connecting to a rod in the ground. Not to be confused with the AC ground wire which is separate.
 
The inverter can be configured to neutral floating or neutral connected to earth. Since this is an isolated "grid", from reading Victron's wiring document, I believe it should be neutral connected to earth which is the system grounding wire connecting to a rod in the ground. Not to be confused with the AC ground wire which is separate.
The N/G bonding is done inside the inverter. You have to remove the cover and move the yellow/green stripe wire from FJ1 to FJ2 on the circuit board.
This creates the AC ground, not something separate.
 
Also, since you already have an electrical system. You already have a grounding system. All new grounding should connect to your existing grounding system.
There should only ever be one grounding system for everything.
 
The N/G bonding is done inside the inverter. You have to remove the cover and move the yellow/green stripe wire from FJ1 to FJ2 on the circuit board.
This creates the AC ground, not something separate.
Gotcha.
Also, since you already have an electrical system. You already have a grounding system. All new grounding should connect to your existing grounding system.
There should only ever be one grounding system for everything.
But this is off-grid, I am not connecting it to my existing electrical system. I am going to wire my mini split and anything else directly to the inverter (via breaker).
 
But this is off-grid, I am not connecting it to my existing electrical system. I am going to wire my mini split and anything else directly to the inverter (via breaker).
if it's in the same house as the existing electrical system.
Everything should be grounded together.
You don't want a potential voltage difference between the two systems. That would create a possible shock hazzard.
When the first electrical system is installed, a grounding system must be created. All additional future systems are connected to the existing grounding system.
 
Nice components. But I would not use a bunch of chinese breakers I would uses fuses for the DC. And an IMO disconnect if you want a solar disconnect.

And on the GFCI AC breaker, if that's an actual picture of a component selection, I would use something from the american breaker market like Homeline or something instead of a chinese one.
 
Nice components. But I would not use a bunch of chinese breakers I would uses fuses for the DC. And an IMO disconnect if you want a solar disconnect.
It took a bit of research but I did find Westinghouse DIN breakers. Spent my morning researching that, MC4 connectors, wire, etc. Too much junk out there to avoid!
 
It took a bit of research but I did find Westinghouse DIN breakers. Spent my morning researching that, MC4 connectors, wire, etc. Too much junk out there to avoid!
probably made in the same factory as those cheap ones
 
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