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Wow! Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I didn't mean to make it sound like we're poor, although being a retired union Ironworker means no more overtime jobs, which was always nice. Between S.S., pension and Missouri's 2nd Injury fund, which essentially is a compilation of all work injuries'...

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...

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...

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...

Sort of a last minute plea for information here, but I'm having trouble understanding exactly what is covered, and I'm heading to my tax accountant's this week to get my taxes done. I've read in multiple places that anything involved in building my system is deductible. In my case, aside from my...

I have a Grundfos SQFlex 6 that we installed in our 'new' 180' well summer before last and have been running it on (6) Evergreen 120w panels with a Grundfos CU 200 controller. Since we haven't built our house yet, we're only down there part time, but it's done a great job. The driller estimated...

Why not set them side by side?

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 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! Sorry it took so long to get back to you.

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?

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...

Yeah, and a couple of others, too. I know one or two are for Aux, but I've read the others are for something. One of the main reasons I hunted down the two new old stock 5548's and the one used one is that for years in Homepower magazine, and everywhere else, it seemed, I read about these...

l've been thinking about using my Miller Bobcat welder/generator as my back up genny, and I'd like to get some thoughts from anyone familiar with the old SW5548's. I've checked out a lot of generators that are termed 'auto start' or 'remote auto start', but can't find any information on exactly...

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 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...

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

Ok, it's been awhile but after I got the two Airpax 80a PV breakers in and installed, things seem to have straightened themselves out. After reading one reply that said I should also consider that there was no load on it may have made this scenario a normal event. But now that I've fired it up...

Thanks, BR, I really appreciate that update. I'm sorry to say that I haven't been able to get back down to the property and apply what i've learned on here yet. But I'm going to head down there tomorrow morning and I'll definitely see what i can find. Thanks again! Lee

Luke- the wind genny isn't up yet, so it's not a factor (yet), but thanks for bringing that up. I'll definitely take that into consideration when I do get the genny going. Yep, the classics have both run in resting and float, mostly. Between your reply and bikerider4828's reply, I'm starting to...

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...

Sorry, that's 3/4" conduit. The edit button is only letting me edit the thread title.

I've had my system up and running (sort of) for months now, but I've got a problem i can't figure out. My panels (7,680w of LG 320w modules) are feeding the two Classic 150 charge controllers and 500ah of SOK LiFePo batts), are putting out their expected voltage and amps, per a complete check of...

What gets me is that they had them practically in my back yard in 1 day. I told them I would have hooked up my trailer and been down there in a couple hours. The idea that they've been sitting in a train car for a week, that close. It's like fed ex gave them a delivery date a week out, then sat...

I ordered an SOK battery rack (25kwh) last Tuesday on the 13th from Current Connections. They gave me a delivery date of the 22nd (today), but then updated it to the 21st by the next day. Fine. By the 15th, the very next day after it shipped on the 14th, it was sitting in east Arkansas in...

Thanks, RC! I don't know where you found this diagram, but it's not in any of the manuals I have (Trace SW5548 inverter man., Xantrex sw5548 manual, IPP manual, disconnect manuals). This really helps. I know where the leads are run to, it's just that there is nothing in my manuals about how many...

A question for the few of you out there that have these- I'm wiring up the RY7 and RY8 connections for the start and run lines, but I once again can't find what I"m looking for. When I opened up my two NOS Trace inverters, they both had a set of 6 female spade connectors that are for RY spades...

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

Thanks, fpgt, that's reassuring to hear. I've worked with lots of welders over the years as an Ironworker, and a lot of them were LP, but we started them all manually, so self starting welder/generators are a new thing to me. I've been reading my welder's manual trying to figure out how to wire...

I've found a few that seem to fit. Since we'll have a large propane tank on sight, I want to plumb it and my welder into that supply. Plus, my Miller welder is propane, has a manual choke and starts everytime even in the coldest weather...

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...

I would build a catwalk with steps leading to it. Then have a long handled module brush stowed on the catwalk to pull the snow off from the walkway. (4) 4x4 posts, stair stringers, a few 2x6's for catwalk joists and walk boards and 2x4's for hand rails. Or heat them.

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!

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...

Good news! I ordered my SOK batts today from Current Connected. They suddenly came on sale, so I'm getting the 25kwh rack of 5. Shipping today, should be here early next week. Thanks for all the feedback on this, guys! Lee