IMHO ...
It may have a 5-yr warranty, per the user manual ... that doc points to their separate "standard warranty & registration" doc, which you'd have to read pretty thorougly to understand.
You'd then have to couple that info with how they work, wrt support processes and such. This could be...
Major failures for standby/portable gens seem to be "engine" and "stator/rotor"; close seconds to these would be incredibly high-priced "control boards" and such.
2000 hours was what I got out of an initial Generac, and when that fell by the wayside (parts to fix the failure were sky-high, info...
In doing some research, I'm finding different results with the various battery types (Lithium-Ion, Lithium-Polymer, and LiFePO4) ... so it could be that "storage facts" for small form-factor Li-Ion batteries (18650) might not be as relevant for our storage batteries of large LiFePO4 cells (what...
Correct me if wrong, but I believe the "internet tax-free" stuff is going away (various lawsuits have gone the states way), or is already gone? Starting with big companies now charging everybody sales tax per their residence state's rate?
Amazon now charges me sales tax for Colorado, even if I...
I'm off-grid, and I use westinghouse propane gens ... these are auto-start/auto-choke, and have an ATS smart port built in. Couple that gen (various models) with the westinghouse ATS box (sold separately), and you have automatic ATS power when the monitored power source goes offline. As we are...
I'd build a portable (hand-truck) solar generator ... an AIO, LiFePO4 battery, and a solar panel or two of your choice. This is the project you use to garner all knowledge about your future system, and it is usable now, for camping, site work, etc. If you spec right, all components transfer over...
We are rural and off-grid, and adding to our self-sufficiency every day (becoming more self-sufficient in all areas of homesteading). So, yes, keep working towards getting some land (as unrestricted as possible), even though that might be harder for you in the UK vs. us in the USA. Yes, you can...
I believe OP is thrashing EMF (EMI?), not other power problems like THD or surge protection ...
IDK enough about EMF (sickness?), and until I research it thoroughly, it seems more like smoke and mirrors at this point ... I've heard that some people suffer greatly from it, but I haven't...
SPAN panels are perhaps indicative of a direction many devices are taking ... authorized installers only, internet-required, end-user can't really touch or diy, just subscribe/pay, and so on. Couldn't find the installation manual, as it's locked away behind the "tech portal" ...
This, along...
I see OP's argument as more of a location-based issue.
If you are in the city (or highly populated area), and exploring solar, you are causing grief to the local grid, because you're going off-grid or hybrid. Thus, in the city, grid/regulatory folks are doing all they can to keep you "tied in"...
As you asked for a parts list, and perhaps some sizing info ...
To keep things simple, you'll want:
- a 24v system reference voltage (not 12v and probably not 48v for some technical reasons, but either of these are also possible)
- inverter: a 24v (in) and 120v (out) AIO inverter, like the mpp...
I found v1.0 of the user manual for it ... still has some amount of phrases in it implying it was written by China language speakers trying to write in english ("if user want to sell back to grid", and such). Hopefully, Midnite Solar will clean it up.
What's with the "installer" vs "user" login...
The type of inverter that most likely will meet your needs is an "off-grid" inverter (no grid-tie functions, no sell-back, etc.). Because it doesn't have all the bells and whistles for those grid-tied capabilities, it should theoretically be less expensive.
The "installation" type (especially...
I would address the big issues first, such as:
- surge protection devices (in your load panel, and in front of critical devices)
- site fuel (propane) and generator (auto-start)
Electrician friend should be able to address both of these with you.
With just these two things out of the way, it...
I've used AmpereTime (now LiTime) LiFePO4 batteries ... while origin is china, delivery/support is local to USA (from 3 sites across the US, no less). They specifically state "up to 4 in series" with their 12v.
Also, every model has different BMS sized for load, but you can get models w/ up to...
You'll want to:
- read all the LiTime materials on storing and charging their batteries (this is how you know what was supposed to be done)
- use an appropriate battery charger with true LiFePO4 charging technology (LiTime's, or someone else); don't use any old (FLA) battery charger
- leave...
Not being an EE, which is what I think you need, and furthermore, one who specializes in power plant design, I'd pursue the following:
1. implement large (diesel, propane) generators, of the class needed to meet power requirements
- this gets you going right now
- gens in this class are super...
I'm going to try and bring this round to solar, but you'll want to build a TinyHomeOnWheels (a small trailer kit). When something is on wheels, it tends to escape all kinds of rules and regulations; you need only build it "right". The Tiny Home movement has tons of information on building at...
Solar generators (bluetti, etc) are nice-looking little boxes ... some are even very expandable. The trade-off seems to be capacity. Personally, I couldn't spend that kind of money for the little amount of capacity inside them.
It is just too easy to build your own "solar generator", with way...
It sounds like the current system is (still) working? If so, it will be more problematic to upgrade than to clean-sheet a new system, which you can install in parallel to the old, and then one day, retire the old system.
This is the time to not integrate new stuff into the old system (with all...
Because you have an inverter/charger, I'd recommend an open-frame propane genny.
standby genny = generac-like (high initial cost, high repairs, dealer/service lock-in, auto-start & auto-choke)
open-frame genny = duromax-like (low initial cost, easy to work on, elec-start but no auto-choke or...
Getting it free = opportunity to do a teardown, if you have the interest/skills/tools.
Not sure what is failing, from your OP, but there's a possibility of a quick fix when it's opened up ... a 1 in 3 chance (based on me opening up lots of devices) something has jiggled loose, and you'll spot...
Once a grid connection is in place (they've sunk in their claws), the service to your home is now "permanent" as in you'll always pay a minimal fee each month, whether kw's are used or not. You should verify this for your power company ... very few of these guys ever let you totally disconnect...
"So what happens when you do try to do everything is you start to work with neighbours and others as it’s more efficient to share knowledge, experience, equipment etc. next thing you know you’re building your own local grid."
I think we're missing the definition of homesteading here ...
Interesting question(s)
There seems to be a good amount of research data out there, on just about any particular interest you have.
For example, if we are worried about cycles *or* calendar aging, some studies/thesis, etc. suggest that both are something to consider (worry about):
"Over time...
I just finished a build of a "hand truck" solar generator, consisting of a core of 24v MPP Solar AIO and 24v battery bank (two 12v100Ah SOK batteries). The hardest part was a bit of scrap 2x4 wood frame to mount components onto a handtruck. I also beefed up the wheels to be knobby, solid-core...
Pictures would help ... take a picture of the circuit-breaker box where the gen cord plugs in, and try to get the manufacturer nameplate in some of the pics. Take a pic of the generator, or give us the exact model. Take a pic of the cord coming out of the gen, and another where it plugs into the...
It could be knowledge-related, in that you've gone for the best price and grown your 12v bank to it's current configuration, but haven't yet explored all the other areas that need attention:
- did you build the battery-bank with vendor's rules in mind
- monitoring (of all individual...
The correct procedure should be spelled out in the battery "user guide", so look there first. Sometimes you get a printed manual, other times you may have to download it from the vendor's website, or ask them for it.
Both replies above are correct, in the sense that you want to bring batteries...
We get about 2000 hours out of an inexpensive open-frame (non-inverter) fuel gen; then something major (to me) is needed (engine, stator/rotor). It is then recycled and fed into the next one. Because it's open-frame, little problems are easily fixed.
Never had problems feeding inverters with...
I would worry about it only from a warranty perspective ... what does the vendor want, that would preserve the warranty (or not be a sticking point).
If you got these from CurrentConnected.com (supposedly the exclusive SOK dealer in the US), just email them and ask for the specific...
Strictly from a design perspective, in trying to solve OP's riddle ("feasible, cheap, A/C ... pick any two", or something like that).
A possibility is to utilize two systems:
- a SigSolar-like A/C system (mini-split, inverter, panels, etc)
- a separate 12v, 24v, or 48v system for everything...
LiTime stuff (batteries, other equipment) is generally not bad for the reasonably low price ... one issue I have with them, or any such solar gear website for that matter, is the near impossible task of getting at the user guide & other docs. It shouldn't be this hard ...
Nowhere on the product...
As a thought exercise, I did the following for you:
1. used your numbers above, at a typical "solar design calculator" site:
https://unboundsolar.com/solar-information/offgrid-calculator (helps you determine energy audit stuff)
- just use one appliance at 400w for 8 hrs/day, and get...
Consider adding a receiver hitch trailer, and a portable inverter-gen (your choice of fuels). In the field, fire up the gen and support any array of drone battery chargers (no inverter needed at this stage). These hitch frames hold upwards of 500lbs, and you can build a secure frame around them...
If this is new construction, there shouldn't be any problem running parallel systems ... wire the whole house for AC, and use appropriate plug design for that (all white plugs). This wiring system can be fed by solar, or later on, by grid (if someone else buys the place and rips out the solar...
When I look at anybody's "new thing", this is what I've found that peels back that nifty veneer of a good price, and all of a sudden the new thing seems more like garbage:
- no US website, no docs are available (installation, warranty, etc.), no online help system
- no US warehouse or logistics...
It costs you nothing to go ahead and run through the design steps ... a few calculations, power audit, and such will help you know what an "ideal" system is.
From there, you can do what-if's to keep parts of the old (possibly piece-meal?) system components, or choose to go with all new, all...
Nothing like getting things done at the state level, where we are guaranteed to have 50 different ways of doing the same thing, vs once at the federal level.
WRT the NEC, just ignore them, and do what you're going to do (safely) ... there's always a way around a roadblock organization that says...
This is a diy solar forum, so I'd just do the training yourself, as well.
There are a range of learners (and their needs) ... on-grid (some form of grid-tied), off-grid, my-electrician-does-it-all, no-electrician-need-apply, codes/ahj's, code-free, etc. You won't really know what you've got...
Moseworth, possibly made by: Dongguan Yingfei Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
Walmart.com had this email entry for "tech support" for moseworth, which you might want to try: WM13602340095yf@163.com
Still coming up dry on a vendor website for the Moseworth brand ... they seem to sell a lot of...
As this is a "skoolie", perhaps there's opportunity for more 12v devices/appliances than one would think:
- 12v lighting
- other 12v appliances, like coffee pots, fans, etc.
The reasoning being, you'll have to turn on the 24v inverter to get power to things, and if this skoolie is anything like...
wgen9500df has a smart port; to this, add the westinghouse smart switch (senses grid power loss, auto starts/stops gen). So, instead of sensing the grid loss, just stick a digital *programmable* on/off switch in between it and power plug.
I wrote the gory details over here:
https://...
If the producers (oil, mining) pull something out of the ground, but then throw it into the open market (as big oil seems to do with that produced in America), how does it help anything, other than to become another pawn in big business scheming and pricing ...
Everything needs to be...
The All-In-One (AIO) inverters have a wiring block under a cover; remove the cover, and you'll see "AC Out" connectors for wiring into your van's wiring system. You can wire this up to whatever electrical distribution system you use for the van. Could be a basic circuit breaker panel for vans...
You can use this as a "house battery" for the travel trailer, where it seems you are trying to find a particular size (replace a FLA battery size with a LiFePO4 battery of same/similar size).
The only restriction on this battery is to not use it for starting cars (it's OK to start a boat...
These are "portable" units, so that is their primary mission ... my almost 10-year old unit did do the job, in some scenarios where I needed portable cooling, and I could hook up the exhaust pipe to the outside easily.
Newer-technology wise, I'd find a mini-split to invest in ... if any of...
Look for batteries that are fully field serviceable, such as SOK (could be others these days):
- case opens, bolted conns vs welded, etc.
If one "battery" fails, not only is it fixable in the field, but you can overhaul it in various ways:
- replace the bms with your choice, to gain more...
Find an MPP Solar 24v AIO inverter, and slap it together with your two existing (12v?) 100ah batteries, in 24v configuration, and mount it all on a hand-truck. Add the appropriate fuses & cables. You can research the 24v inverters at mppsolar.com, and see if their off-grid model, or some other...
Should be easy to do, in this fashion:
1.) start with propane fuel system and powerful genny; with auto-start and capacity, power for any load is always available, at the cost of genny running all the time.
a.) have propane service install 500gal (or larger) propane tank ... this is your fuel...
Don't know where I got ABS from, and can't find the source ... asked support for the type of plastic used ... pending.
It is ABS plastic, per (something like datasheet) page at:
https://...
I had a generac 24kw model, and my magnum inverter did everything as you describe. Once hooked up, the inverter had a few settings to fiddle with, and with the generac in automatic mode, the inverter easily started & stopped it. All whole-house generac's should support 2-wire start via their...
Everything is fraught with liability these days ... while you might be common-sense enough not to kill yourself, you can't trust others not to kill themselves, in ways you never would've dreamed possible. Distribution wiring enables this pattern ...
If you have excess power, find a way to sell...
Generac's (whole home generators) are installed only by authorized dealers; any attempt to deviate from their installation guide, and warranty is lost. Any weird issues at the site, and warranty is lost. Units don't "complete" installation until the "owner/site" is registered. All adds up to...
We run our entire home from 24v, using a tier-1 magnum inverter/charger ... never had an issue with cabling, battery-bank (now at 2s2p 12v300ah), or anything else. Using tier-1 equipment from 5+ years ago, we probably saved some initial money. 24v isn't bad at all, and we run a family of 4 and a...
I would approach this design as follows:
- determine if any electric requirements can be served by other means, to reduce the footprint/cost of final solar gear
- now, step through your sizing of solar gear with the help of these example websites:
a. at this calculator page, enter...
The part about no power to put out the approaching fire is really maddening. At the very least, a generator solution would solve this issue. But, a parallel off-grid solution (or at least, grid-aware) would indeed solve the majority of your problems. So:
1. add a fuel-generator, and you can put...
Comparing to a SOK (just to highlight possible issues with CyccleVolt):
- repairability is less favorable (in a sok, everything is repairable)
- warranty (iffy at best?): if buying a sok (from CurrentConnected), warranty is probably guaranteed
- support (iffy at best?): again, CC and/or SOK...
Not sure why the "cub cadet" electric ZTR mower has "snow chain" option, but, being as I can't afford $10 to 20k for a 4-wheeler, I think this ZTR is a game changer for me (as a 4-wheeler). Just get a lift kit, the snow chain option, and now I've got:
- a poor man's 4-wheeler ... lift kit (if...
You'll need to download the user guide for the power station (phoenix), if not done already. It's on the same page in your link, under the "downloads" tab.
It will have a section like "solar charging", and will discuss hooking solar panels up to the phoenix. If the phoenix kit didn't provide a...
I can't believe that a DIY "solar generator" would come in *more expensive* than an off-the-shelf (OTS, or store-bought) system!
I could believe that a OTS system might have more integrated bells & whistles, but invariably, they have less capacity for the same amount of money, and quite...
Note that I stated they just bring over a battery, not the whole solar generator. You (producer of excess solar electricity) charged their battery ... you never touched their solar generator. A simple voltmeter shows full, and a pic from your phone proves it.
I'm pretty sure that when someone...
If you are DIY-capable, I think I'd pursue the hand-truck option further ... I'm admiring my MPP Solar 24v inverter, atop a pair of 12v100ah LFP batteries (24v cfg), all on a hand-truck with no-flat wheels, as we speak. This is an excellent way to testbed everything.
MPP has all kinds of...
Your renogy inverter was most likely HighFrequency (HF) ... small, inexpensive, some set of specs/features/programming/display capabilities. Don't know what particular thing or things made it a "piece of junk" for you, but as this wasn't a LF inverter with the right set of features (for you), it...
I don't want to derail any of your solar journey, so don't take these generator comments as anything other than "more info" for you, on the generator side of things!
Whole-home standby generators (let's say "generac", for example) are indeed "a solution" for someone wanting backup power if in...
This is a shop, with typical huge tool/ac/welder power draws ... you'll want a grid connection (already a grid conn at the house?). If there is some reason why you can't easily bring a grid conn in, then just plan on an automatic propane generator to supplement both solar and occasional huge...
An e-bike battery-bank design conundrum (on a quad, no less) ... nice!
The e-bike vendor got away with 5 x 12v70ah FLA batteries as there was no bms involved ... just a single series string of 5 12v FLA batteries ... easy to monitor, easy to charge.
We can't "easily" flip to 5x 12v LiFePO4...
I hope this works well for those aussie's that sign up for it ... my own opinion (warning, this is a long one) is that it is an end-run around DIY capability that is now present in solar. Why allow folks to DIY when we can put you on the subscriber list, and add you to the rolls?
So, there is...
OP still around? What exactly is the "THD" problem he is facing? Is it a very old existing genny, built before the current crop of open-frame gennies (a few years back)? Is he fighting the hype of "THD is bad for everything in the house"? HVAC will die if a high-thd genny is used?
Over on...
Hmm ...
I went off-grid mainly to/because:
- had a mini heart-attack when the local grid folks told me what it would cost to bring their grid over to within range of my home location (10 poles, $30k, and THEN I could start the application process and pay more application/installation costs)...
I have both a LiTime charger and a NOCO charger, and wouldn't hesitate to use either ... the former because it's LiTime's own (one specific 24v battery-bank), and the latter because I use them everywhere (mostly 12v batteries), with their LiFePO4 and wake-up functions.
If LiTime gave you that...
The LiTime manual for your battery should describe idle power consumption. If you need more than what is in the manual, send an email to LiTime support, and have them describe it even further.
Only issue I have with LiTime is they don't necessarily post user guides on their website, unless...
Note that OP shows another scenario of "gov/utilities not turning on power in (supposed new) flood plain", when it was there before. Similar to CA landslide areas, others. That's the magic of the grid, state PUC, Gov ...
It's the people that suffer, while they fiddle ...
Just go off-grid ...
One problem with all such vendor batteries ... do they have a sealed case?
The ampere time battery *is* fully sealed, so if a BMS goes bad, there's absolutely nothing you can do but go thru warranty service. If you have a pair of these 12v@300ah in 24v mode, it can be a pain to take the whole...
Did not know that a state (GA) is now dis-allowing shallow wells. Did well companies get involved in this, as more money to be made from deep wells vs shallow? Does state want to drive one to public water systems? If you can filter the water (from any source, and even rainwater should get this...
There was a guy (engineer type) on the hurricane coast (florida?, gulf coast?) who built his home entirely out of concrete. Not as a dome, but as straight walls & such. I believe he had been hit, and what happened was some doors/windows blew out, but the structure was not affected in the least...
Generally, LF inverters can eat high-THD power from non-inverter-gens. My Magnum 4024 eats crummy power all day long, so I can use an inexpensive high-THD output open-frame gen to recharge the battery-bank.
AIO's (HF inverters) are more sensitive to THD, and therefore more restrictive; usually...
BSL Battery seems to be a company located only in China, with perhaps no "local country" presence? Couldn't easily determine things from the flashy "sales" website. Don't know OP's country, but I'd guess that BSL doesn't have a presence there.
Their website is indeed horrible, with no...
The above posts are amazing to me, when you consider that many of us will "pay extra" for quality tool (pick any of the higher-end brand names). If that is the case, then why not buy an in-country made item, and pay something more for it, vs the cheaper version of it? I would ...
I've always...
It sounds like we're talking about vampire power losses, due to power supplies and whatnot that continue to use some bit of power even when the main functionality of the device is "off" (you're not using it). Even when you think the device is off, the manufacturer has designed in one or more...
I don't know about your model of Guardian, but when I was running my 22kw model, I had to order a 2-wire autostart kit, which basically consisted of some wires to plug into the system.
Check with your seller on whether a kit is needed for your model. If they can't help, check with the...
There's no doubt that "1000's" of any "solar generator" will be bought, at what I think are hugely inflated costs/profit-margins ... but perhaps that matches the ratio of diy to can't-diy folks. Products exist to supply the market demand ...
If you have any diy skills at all, then you'll get...
If your scenario is chargeverter (only), you can roll with wgen9500df (don't think there is a tfc, but might be by now). The 9500's are higher-THD, and the 11500's are low-THD. If you also want the scenario of loaning out your gen, then I agree wgen11500tfc is good (but currently unobtanium)...
Grid power not necessary, especially if not nearby and/or cost-prohibitive, or just desiring off-grid.
For such large continuous loads, I'd integrate a propane genny (w/ associated onsite 500gal propane tank); ensure genny has autostart capability. Utilize a 24v/48v inverter w/ auto-start...
Some AIO's have restrictions on generators as shore power (vs the grid), because they want to sync with the incoming electric power source, and provide "0ms time switchover". There is one MPP Solar unit that has this restriction in their manual for that model ... could be some/many other AIO's...
WRT batteries (LiFePO4), there are some strategies to consider:
- get 'er done fast, at a higher cost: *buy* a LiFePO4, doing as much homework as you can
- get 'er done at least cost/Ah: *build* a LiFePO4, ditto on the homework
I went the 1st route to get a series of LiFePO4's in, two...
Is there a backup (generator) plan? If conditions get tough (long period of little to no solar, solar equipment failure, etc.), will you just accept that power might run out?
Of course, a generator option requires consideration of fuel type and availability at your location. If little to no...
IIRC, on this forum, there are folks who've built "moveable" frames for solar panels ... a quick search ought to find them. You'll need to ensure the panels don't take flight, but otherwise, you should be able to roll out the requisite number of panels for your inverter on a frame.
I tried to...
If I understand OP correctly, this is a "solar generator" design (without the panels). Just build your own, put it on a hand-truck (or rolling dolly), and size the battery to your needs. Recharge when the grid comes back up.
If you get fancy, you can swap battery-banks, almost on the fly, for...
If you think in terms of "multiple uses" out of something, then perhaps the 100ah LiFePO4 battery starts to make more sense.
Perhaps consider building your first DIY "solar generator", with a single 100ah battery, inverter, etc. It powers the N64 & such, but in a bigger outage, it can power...
You have a battery, and solar panels lying around ... I'd go the DIY solar generator (component approach) on a hand-truck. You can skip the hand-truck, and mount components to wall of trailer, or leave the majority on a hand-truck, and have a mobile construction "site power" unit. A piece-meal...
interestingly, the "AM Radio as a measuring tool" does seem to work ... I was able to walk around the house with it set to 87.0kHz, and found:
- many wall-warts and other SMPS devices threw off noise that registered on the radio
- my Magnum 4024 (LF) inverter threw off noise (inverter located...
You have a pretty good start to gathering requirements (power audit), so a design step is needed:
1. Go here, and enter in each appliance's (bike battery, other things you care about) values (watts, hours/day you want to run it, etc.)...
I'd like to see them start off with off-grid and/or parallel use case, which would really spur the market for both solar and going off-grid from the many grids & co-ops out there. This (mostly) avoids all the permitting & grid-connected headaches, and possibly electrician expenses, unless folks...
I want a chargeverter as well, but in 24v format ... anyone see issues (other than efficiency) with strapping a buck converter to the output of a chargeverter, and then feeding that directly to 24v battery banks?
amazon.com/dp/B08THM57LG
I use AmpereTime (now LiTime) batteries ... the higher up you go in amp-hour ratings, the bigger/better the BMS board inside them, which correlates to supporting your effort to run high-draw appliances or not.
If you already know your battery-bank configuration (12v, 24v, etc.) needed for your...
You'll want to review these items:
1. how "lion energy" (vendor) allows you to hook up multiple batteries. they may or may not have rules (and sample diagrams) that show how to hook up their batteries in series, or in paralllel, or series-parallel, both for best output and for best charging...
I'd roll with a pair of inverters as well, for redundancy ... if the GroWatts are indeed full of FRU components, that make/model has my vote. One to run on while other is getting fixed ...
Depending on how well insulated the shed is, consider a propane tank/thermostat-heater setup ... it is as...