hagensieker
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2020
- Messages
- 136
Upgraded to Giandel 2200 watt inverter.
Why can't I stop upgrading?
- Thread starter hagensieker
- Start date
Bob142
Build more, learn more.
Good job. And look at it this way, you've got backup parts in case anything fails!
Steve_S
Offgrid Cabineer, N.E. Ontario, Canada
Like @jasonhc73 you MAY be in need of a 12 Step Program LOL.
I have been offgrid / solar for a few years and upgrades have continued through the years and if "lucky" by the middle of this summer I'll be done, including my residential needs and for my year round greenhouse (which is to be built this spring and have solar as well.) Fortunately, for many things I chose, I did not have to upgrade but for something it was hard....
Case in point. a 3Kw Inverter could handle my res needs but "just barely" but I built my system aimed at that... well 1-1/2 later it became painfully obvious I should have went 4Kw... ok so the expense in getting a Good Tier-1 Inverter was one, but the upgrading from 2/0 wiring to 4/0 another ouch (copper isn't cheap should'a, coulld'a, would'a bought 4/0 right from the get go)… Invested Big Buck$ in Lead Acid Deep Cycle batter bank and now here I am building up to 910AH to replace the lead (which will goto Greenhouse)….
I try to tell people, if they "think" that 3KW will cover their needs, fine, but as we all know things change & stuff happens, so go with the next up bigger one and same for ancillary bits... Balance of system parts can add up VERY FAST ! and it's shocking because it is $20 on this, $25 on that 2x$15 for those … unlike the $1500 for THAT which your wallet immediately notices & feels it.... It all comes down to planning ahead and trying to anticipate what future needs one might have, which can be a really tricky affair.
I have been offgrid / solar for a few years and upgrades have continued through the years and if "lucky" by the middle of this summer I'll be done, including my residential needs and for my year round greenhouse (which is to be built this spring and have solar as well.) Fortunately, for many things I chose, I did not have to upgrade but for something it was hard....
Case in point. a 3Kw Inverter could handle my res needs but "just barely" but I built my system aimed at that... well 1-1/2 later it became painfully obvious I should have went 4Kw... ok so the expense in getting a Good Tier-1 Inverter was one, but the upgrading from 2/0 wiring to 4/0 another ouch (copper isn't cheap should'a, coulld'a, would'a bought 4/0 right from the get go)… Invested Big Buck$ in Lead Acid Deep Cycle batter bank and now here I am building up to 910AH to replace the lead (which will goto Greenhouse)….
I try to tell people, if they "think" that 3KW will cover their needs, fine, but as we all know things change & stuff happens, so go with the next up bigger one and same for ancillary bits... Balance of system parts can add up VERY FAST ! and it's shocking because it is $20 on this, $25 on that 2x$15 for those … unlike the $1500 for THAT which your wallet immediately notices & feels it.... It all comes down to planning ahead and trying to anticipate what future needs one might have, which can be a really tricky affair.
jasonhc73
Cat herder, and dog toy tosser.
Installer: How many solar panels do you want?
Me: Yes
Installer: No really?
Me: as many that will fit into the roof.
Me: Yes
Installer: No really?
Me: as many that will fit into the roof.
D
Deleted member 1888
Guest
That system is a bit too small, maybe 1-12 more battle borns and 4-34 more panels that would be a good size.
hagensieker
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2020
- Messages
- 136
At some point I'll probably replace the 100 watt panels with something larger and another battery or two would be great but I'm actually exceeding all my goals for power production at this point in time.
The whole point of this project was to create a lifeboat room so I can conserve gasoline in my whole house 7500 watt generator during power outages from Eastern NC hurricanes. 2 in the 5 years I've lived here so far.
With this system I have TV, radio, ham radios, powered loop antennas, portable refrigerator, lamps w/small wattage LED's, and a 12v fan. I've got a week or two of "retreat in the evening to the bedroom and live exclusively off solar" time and I usually wake up with like 85% SOC so best estimate is about a 3 day run.
This has actually wildly exceeded my expectations but no doubt in my mind, as you stated, It'll probably grow.
Solarfun4jim
Solar seduced :-)
lol steve,
"and if "lucky" by the middle of this summer I'll be done "
Aye Right, till you get itchy palms and need to start tinkering with something ha ha
Just wait till you've gone 2 months cold turkey, doin nothing but looking at it.....it'll be, "where's ma fluke"...lol.
Aerobiotic
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2020
- Messages
- 1
What about finding ways to use less power? Replace appliances that are wasting energy. Or get lower power ones ... that would take longer to do the job but use less peak watts.
hagensieker
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2020
- Messages
- 136
I did that recently with a garage refrigerator. Someone gave me one from a rental unit they had. I cleaned it up and stuck it in the garage. For the most part it was okay but in the dead of summer that thing was pulling over 2kwh a day. Roughly twice what a brand new one pulls. Then I went through the house and changed all the old bulbs with LED's. Those two things have helped quite a bit.
