Recent content by anadiner

I'm thinking a few things: - 1st find out for sure, its bidirectional because the max voltage intake if it has an onboard controller is crucial. This kinda stuff is what limits panels btw. - Im not a voltage person... tend to focus on amps but ok. Everybody has their on thing. - clarifying ur...

Also, kinda says something between the lines to me when I will be the only sole solar home in my county... largest county by land mass in NC. (Brunswick). A lot of local folk are excited about my quest... doing this at much sacrifice and DIY cuz low budget. I'm definitely opening doors. Thanks...

Seriously Im so with you. Ive complained here many times that my county is whacko concerning anything solar. You would think come on follow OSHA guidelines, right. Not into conspiracies yet sonething smells bad when a beach town, where residents pay a base fee monthly, come once a year. Many...

Oh forgot: told getting UL Listed cost companies a lot more so they pass that cost to consumer. Probably how China made ones are so cheap. And those cheapos are stand-alone which basically means runs off batteries... solar panels are just for charging the batteries. That sux ya know. Need get...

I'm just going by what my county ordinance requires... says must be UL Listed. Many say ETL approved conforms to UL. Unsure if that qualifies because the UL stamp isn't there. Throwing me off is sometimes the stamp is. Trying to check into it. Cost is an issue also. If I get a savvy code...

Oh yea and definite OFC over CCA. I learned that too. Also, I used conduit but not insulated. Used fire brick and welding blankets to separate things to meet my personal safety guidelines. Bit nervous with running inverter continuous cuz of freezer.

Such a good question. Im going thru exact problem atm. Talked to sales at batterycablesusa.com (something like that lol). This guy literally would not sell me 0 awg for battery cables. Tried explain lose amps with length I want and cuz my house burned down, Im bit pyscho bout overshooting gauge...

Yea I worded that wrong. I meant tin plated copper. Point is: I was told to use tin plated on lead acid to reduce corrosion. Wondering if thats true. Cant find info about it.

Forgot to mention: I too bought a couple cheapo China inverters to get by in my camper. (house burned down, no ins, code being jerks so cdnt temp power pole). Building tiny home with couple 24s UL Listed but hiding cheapos with marine lead acid batts in shed atm (used fire brick, welding...

AIMS. Im a big fan. Even bought one of their converter chargers to keep my 24v batt bank charged off generator while panel shopping. Found them when desperate for UL1741 Listed products. Everybody else wanted your first child (price joke) to get UL but my boner county requires it. Its...

I will have to find it again. If memory serves, it was growat but unsure. I did find out ul used to be called certified but to be very careful. When advertised like 'ETL that meets UL' or 'UL certified' or 'meets UL requirements', all dandy BUT no UL emblem then DONT. I look up the tech...

Oh btw, there's been no complaint about my using a generator. Maybe cuz Im not connected to the grid at all. Either way, it wasn't even examined and I have noticed a lot of subcontractors use generators. I bought an AIMS converter charger for my 24v system to keep batteries charged while panel...

Ok took awhile but I now have the complete answer. 1st) u must check your county ordinance. Most are available online but you can talk to the code enforcement office. Mine requires everything to be UL Listed. Btw ETL is not enough nor is UL certified. UL Listed will have the UL emblem. Big...

Always thought using OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) versus CCA (Copper-Clad Aluminum) lugs on battery posts was best. Recently told to use tin lugs on lead-acid batteries. Baffled. Is this true?

The issue: I have arthritis in my hands so need manageable tools.