diy solar

diy solar

My build thread

And... if you have multiple SPF 5000's, do the "extra" ones sleep (or go into low power mode) if there isn't a demand for them?
 
So, this weekend I was running a bunch of load testing. And since I had the batteries pretty low. I decided to give my grid chargeverter backup a real world test.
Battery voltage dropped to 48v.
Dry contacts turned on the chargeverter. (Via a relay)
Chargeverter floated the batteries at 48v, and covered the loads all night.
Sun came up the next morning and started charging the batteries.
Chargeverter went idle, because the voltage was above its setting. (48v)
When the batteries reached 50v. Dry contacts turned off the chargeverter.

I love it when a plan works as designed.
 
timselectric said:
So, this weekend I was running a bunch of load testing. And since I had the batteries pretty low. I decided to give my grid chargeverter backup a real world test.
Battery voltage dropped to 48v.
Dry contacts turned on the chargeverter. (Via a relay)
Chargeverter floated the batteries at 48v, and covered the loads all night.
Sun came up the next morning and started charging the batteries.
Chargeverter went idle, because the voltage was above its setting. (48v)
When the batteries reached 50v. Dry contacts turned off the chargeverter.

I love it when a plan works as designed.
Click to expand...
Nice. I need to look at doing something like this. When the temps got up to 105 and above here I couldn't keep up so I turn on the chargeverter when I'm up having coffee in the morning then turn it off sometime during the day. Today the high was only 100 so I didn't bother and it made it back to 100% with room to spare. I'm thinking if down the road I go with a couple of the 18kpv or Solark 15k units I may just use the chargeverter and not even bother with all the bypass stuff. Which reminds me of a question - can you connect two chargeverters and have them run concurrently? I don't see any reason you couldn't but then I don't always see everything on this stuff without someone 'splaining it to me. :ROFLMAO:
 
Battery capacity makes a huge difference.

It's been 8 days since I have seen 100%. It's been cloudy, extremely hot, and very humid. A/C's are running a lot. And production is down. The battery capacity has kept me going. I've gotten as low as 37%. And yesterday I got up to 98%. Today is the hottest day this year. But, it's also mostly sunny. I'm already back over 80% , at 3pm. Was down to 40%, over night. Probably won't see a full charge until the middle of next week. Judging by the forecast. But, I have zero doubt that I will be able to get by without any grid assistance.
 
timselectric said:
Battery capacity makes a huge difference.

It's been 8 days since I have seen 100%. It's been cloudy, extremely hot, and very humid. A/C's are running a lot. And production is down. The battery capacity has kept me going. I've gotten as low as 37%. And yesterday I got up to 98%. Today is the hottest day this year. But, it's also mostly sunny. I'm already back over 80% , at 3pm. Was down to 40%, over night. Probably won't see a full charge until the middle of next week. Judging by the forecast. But, I have zero doubt that I will be able to get by without any grid assistance.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you need a slightly bigger array!
 
Supervstech said:
Sounds like you need a slightly bigger array!
Click to expand...
I'm actually clipping on two SCC's. Once I get the rest of the system built and split them, this will improve.
But, more solar is still in the original plan.
I'll get there eventually. Free time is my current limiting factor. I have equipment stacked in every corner. I just need to get it all installed.
 
Made it to 92% , today. (Which still gives me over 70kwh of remaining capacity)
Not bad considering that it was 100 degrees out.
And the humidity put the heat index at 110 degrees.
While the inside of my house was 72 degrees.
My 3-ton A/C hasn't shut off since noon. (8 hrs ago)
And I also made 100 lbs of ice. While covering the rest of the loads.

And yes, I could have been more frugal with the loads. But the whole point of this system is to do what I want, whenever I want. And not be concerned about it. So, at this stage of my system. I am pleased with the success. And more confident in my overall plans.
 
timselectric said:
Made it to 92% , today. (Which still gives me over 70kwh of remaining capacity)
Not bad considering that it was 100 degrees out.
And the humidity put the heat index at 110 degrees.
While the inside of my house was 72 degrees.
My 3-ton A/C hasn't shut off since noon. (8 hrs ago)
And I also made 100 lbs of ice. While covering the rest of the loads.

And yes, I could have been more frugal with the loads. But the whole point of this system is to do what I want, whenever I want. And not be concerned about it. So, at this stage of my system. I am pleased with the success. And more confident in my overall plans.
Click to expand...
Thanks. The “do what I want, whenever I want” is exactly the system I’m working on.
 
timselectric said:
So, this weekend I was running a bunch of load testing. And since I had the batteries pretty low. I decided to give my grid chargeverter backup a real world test.
Battery voltage dropped to 48v.
Dry contacts turned on the chargeverter. (Via a relay)
Chargeverter floated the batteries at 48v, and covered the loads all night.
Sun came up the next morning and started charging the batteries.
Chargeverter went idle, because the voltage was above its setting. (48v)
When the batteries reached 50v. Dry contacts turned off the chargeverter.

I love it when a plan works as designed.
Click to expand...
What'd you use for the contacts? I was considering using an air conditioner relay, they make them in 24vdc and 120vac, seems like it might be a cool way to use a chargeverter:

 
Out with the old, in with the new.
Just got my first digital utility meter. Utility company replaced it today.
I have always had the old glass with a spinning disc type.
Sorry utility company, your too late. lol
 
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