Hello all...
I have a Sol-Ark 15k unit up and running, wired for whole home backup, with both DC and AC coupled solar.... the AC going to the gen input. This means I cannot have a critical loads panel. This does not worry me hugely, but it is possible that a power outage could come at a time when I have a home load of over 15kw (or 12kw at night) and cause the sol-ark to shut down. My main risk of this is my car charger which operates at a very high wattage. I have it set as low as is practical right now, but that's not ideal.
I have a sub panel next to my meter that powers my charger and largest AC compressors. Without these, the chances of overloading the Sol-Ark are very remote. I am considering running sensor wires from the meter to the coil of a 240v 75amp relay (contactor of the type for AC compressors) and wiring that sub panel through the main contacts of the relay. This would cause that meter to be shut down instantly, I would assume before it trips the Sol-Ark. Just in case anyone suggests it, I do NOT want that panel to bypass the sol-ark entirely as it would kill my grid independence on a normal night.
thoughts?
Alex
I have a Sol-Ark 15k unit up and running, wired for whole home backup, with both DC and AC coupled solar.... the AC going to the gen input. This means I cannot have a critical loads panel. This does not worry me hugely, but it is possible that a power outage could come at a time when I have a home load of over 15kw (or 12kw at night) and cause the sol-ark to shut down. My main risk of this is my car charger which operates at a very high wattage. I have it set as low as is practical right now, but that's not ideal.
I have a sub panel next to my meter that powers my charger and largest AC compressors. Without these, the chances of overloading the Sol-Ark are very remote. I am considering running sensor wires from the meter to the coil of a 240v 75amp relay (contactor of the type for AC compressors) and wiring that sub panel through the main contacts of the relay. This would cause that meter to be shut down instantly, I would assume before it trips the Sol-Ark. Just in case anyone suggests it, I do NOT want that panel to bypass the sol-ark entirely as it would kill my grid independence on a normal night.
thoughts?
Alex
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