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In skeewl I learned stranded is up to 10% more efficient as the electrons travel on the surface area, not (in) the conductor. Stranded has more surface area when added up compared to solid. Of course less headaches as mentioned above ;)

SO an update on our fan: After a month the mighty-mule battery died, leaving the fan quite erratic with the controller giving .5second bursts of load-on. Even though I disagreed with a direct connection, I bypassed the setup leaving only the 10amp inline fuse (kinda pointless with a 5.5a...

Having the spare parts, here's what I ended up doing: Mounted the 100w panel, mounted an old breaker panel to house a MPPT, a might-mule 7ah sealed battery, a 10A panel breaker, and estop, and the fan. I have the very cheap controller set to shut off at 11.2v, and auto load-on at 12.6. -This...

Non-code advice here: When I moved onto this quaker commune it was struck 5 times in 7 years. The well tower was the target every time, plus we're on a hill. No one ever cared the top of the tower was blackened 3' down from hits over the century. Keep in mind the 4 tower legs went into the...

Shifty Karen Solar

For what it's worth (and it's pretty poor), here is a battery warmer I made for the LifePO4's for central Ohio, in an outhouse. (2) 10x20 17v 120v plant warmer mats (no foam padding). (1) Amazon temp controller that we also have in the coop. 3/4" foam board, 1" foam board, a full roll of foil...

Update, we're in week 4 and all has been fine. If I hadn't overpaneled I likely would have sent this back, but it works for our VERY modest needs.

So I think we're about week 8(?). But wanted to share what we've done with just the Delta Max. We've dropped quite a bit! 24months ago our budget had just crossed $400month! Our budget is now down to $218 Month, but April we only used $166 so we are building quite the credit on our account...

I ordered the variable boost module & bridge rectifier off Amazon, per some of the advice found on this forum. You're confusing DIYer with an Engineer :D I have a degree in electromechanical engineering, just alway to broke to make something profitable :)

Was building a Stealth-Sleeper and decided to add 150w panel direct to rack, cheapo charge controller, and smart box with a mice 75Ah SLA. Added in an RV light to make it official lol. (not my finest work but it was pro-bono)

Sorry no one ever replied to you, I am also new here & most here seem to be top professionals. This is great yet odd being a DIY forum. Most of the replies regard code this & code that, which at first I felt kinda overkill, then after learning more I've come to really respect such advice...

Yeah Toast!

10 Years! HA AES in Dayton Ohio went up 104% last June. AEP where we are only went up 11%, they just let everyone know another 28% this June. It won't take ten years friend, it's happening all over. On inflation, it's VeRy off that every single thing I can think of has blown up in the last...

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/california-power-companies-roll-out-fixed-rate-bill-proposal/ So if I'm understanding this right; everyone will pay $0.33 per KWH (which is INSANE compared to Ohio right now), but then everyone will have a 2nd charge based on household income? It's that a fine...

Not to sure if Blocking & Reversing Diodes are the same... let me google here..... yes, they are the same but see video below why I needed these. I learned this in one of @Will Prowse Prowse videos on combiner boxes: Basically my 6string array has minor string-shading issues due to a tree...

Nice diagram btw. What type of batteries?

They are on Reddit's Ecoflow Community answering stuff about every 24-48hrs. Quite responsive there, but yeah I've never got back an email.

And shaky nerves at times*. Before leaving my field I ended up with a ground rod thru my left hand (OuCh!), and had the other hand's knuckles smack a live 3-phase bus (hence the nerve damage). I can't even write anymore as, once I focus in my hand starts going full-retard.... It's rough for...

Day 4, 1pm. Finished the cam switch and bus split about an hour ago. We're averaging 350w on the cabin, and the 2.4kW array is powering the Eco perfectly. The Eco continues to run up to 800 and stay there. Geez these fans will be something to get use to..... but still, everything is offgrid...

I'm just week 4 here, and maybe you saw my 300% overpanel post. But here's what 2.4kw gets you this morning.

At this rate the Eco Max will need 10hrs, which isn't bad as a full charge averages us 11hours (If we don't use that air fryer!). I'm really blessed we ended up with so many panels, really ticked at SOOOooooo many youtubers showing 400w arrays or even 800w arrays and selling people on this...

Thanks Pinkie! Pinkie & Bud, here are some current pictures to get a better idea: Note: I am splitting the panel bus accordingly to have all 120v up top which the Eco can surely handle (many breakers but very little load). The 240 Mini-split, backup wall-pack heater, and original unused...

Good info y'all

None, found the weakest link (well 2 links), tower lives to see another day!

Nice to see a company on this forum. Wish Ecoflow would jump over, being only on Reddit... which is nice will you ask a Tier II question and the just ignore it.....

As I wanted the water noise after dusk for a while, I went with: (2) 25watt panels for morning/evening charging. (1) Cheapo charge controller & 7Ah LifePO4 (1) Cheapo pump off AMZ.

I currently have a new Delta Max 2k I am operpanelling at 300% to prove one way or the other if the input wattage matters. It's finally calling for 5hrs of sun tomorrow so we're gonna find out! :D

Hi Bud, The county doesn't need any permitting as it's an "appliance". If the inverter had terminals & was hardwired it'd be a different story. Here is a link with more detail, and a shot of some of it, but the whole array (every dang panel), frame, and roof are bonded with one continuous...

Just an update, mid April and have had zero issues feeding the 2400w into the Ecoflow.

So the motor is a 1.7hp (1250w?), and the Eco caps off at 800w. It's really looking like I will need another midshaft (75t to 25t) which would put me in a better range for the 11-100v input.... Another midshaft would cost another $80 and drop the motor closer to the ground. We will find out...

220v single phase 50hz is not US 240v split phase 60hz.... Yes, some things can use either, some things will burn up faster, some things go right for a bong hit of that purple magic smoke.

Slight correction, that couple (and others) are being dropped due to being grid-tied (interconnected) to the grid. Which I share only as I never really though how much local damage a tier ii can do. -edit- for companies dropping people, there must be shit happening that we aren't hearing...

Some pics of its install. A spec of surface rust from a paint chip on the corner, but otherwise perfect.

Wise words^^^ We made the first of 4 1.2kw active tilt arrays, grid tied. We were already set net metering with the utility... then came a SLEW of issues. It turned out our township & another decided any ground mount PV had to be zoned, which meant permits which was fine as I needed to go up...

Will will be shaking his head saying "this is not what I'm teaching here" lol Honestly though, for my sake and others please feel free to point out fails in this system*

ScottMandarich Scott, after reading through I get you but still have beef with your video. You say you learned everything from Youtube as did I and like you have a degree in electrical as well. As you simply found/learned dangerous information from others, does your wiring setup continue this...

So my micro system just wasn't doing it for me. Being past broke but never throwing anything away, I made a micro Utility Backup for it ROFL! Enjoy

Nice!

Yes, the Ecoflow Max is 800w max, and for 3weeks we've had 2400w of panels hooked to it. It DOES cap off at 800w from our solar & this has LOADS of benefits.... However: During our research a good number mentioned panels don't "push" current, but batteries do. I do NOT know one way or the...

I would but it's already paid for itself so I'm good.

The output can also be used for controlling relays/contactors

32.5 degrees, central Ohio

Beachy are Amish that decided to leave the old order church (for the most part). Basically a population of plain folk living off grid & not working for the man, with a bunch of religion added in. Yes, the Graber's (who are Beachy, but more defined as Pilgrim Mennonites) started with oak...

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We run 2400w for a the 800w Ecoflow Max, 2016wh & today, 90% full rain, we charged at 225w average. We have 12 polo panels (3 strings), and 12 mono panels (3 strings). These are connected all the time, and agree with Sunshine_eggo to just have them connected all the time. Edit: We ran the...

Thanks There's a dual-head 6" 12v fan in it, an SUV inflatable air mat, and a 10A 120v charger so he can recharge off the SUV or 120v if needed. DC-DC chargers are two much dough (of course the SUV's 120v would come via running the inverter of the SUV 12v socket). Got the SUV for a grand...

"if they don't find you handsome, they'll at least find you handy."

OK, think I have the final solution: I am going to put the whole array power into the outhouse, using our bag-arse controller we have. This will be for a 24v battery bank. Then I will use a 1500w DC-DC converter to step up the 24v bank to 48v to get a full 800w charge input to the Eco's MPPT...

There are a few cases, aside from my own listed above: My mother lives in a 3rd story condo in Dallas with no backup. It's only a few years old, and most outages last<12hours. So in her case, being able to figure it out is the top of her skill set, and following codes & rules it's the only...

I think it is a fixed rate increase on top of the already $0.33kwh

In 2020 at the peak of the plandemic I simply called asking a bunch of such questions and never got anywhere. Then a few months later we got a letter from AEP (Ohio) saying we are now approved for net-metering. I gave this to my wife & said NEVER lose this. Then 2021 when going over my grid...

Ya know, I've really felt ashamed by my 2400w array and setup.... not any more!! OMG! I sent "Scott" the link to this thread to "learn or defend" his job (hopefully learn on here as I have). How could one turn that system on without standing in muck boots holding a broomstick & knees...

Made the 120v Cam-Switch Diagram :D

I'd jump on Reddit & ask Ecoflow if the warranty would still be valid?

Good info!

It's still an outhouse lol The system has warmed two mornings now and nothing blew up so that's good.

Nice, I've decided to mount my controls in our outhouse rather than build a closet out on the chicken coop :) No good pics yet, buying one peice at a time & the next item is $2400 in SOK batteries. Good look for a system OP

I'm overpaneling an EcoMax 300%, week 4 no problems. Good luck!

In all my research on my project overpanelling an Eco Max, indeed it caps at 800w on a 2400w array. However, I remember many comments in posts where folks basically say that panels don't push current so operpaneling a MPPT is ok, but that batteries do push current and could fry a MPPT is over...

Day 4, 8:25am with the sun LOW in Ohio. Charging 207watts and climbing 10watts a minute. If the same follows suit I will be at the max 800w by 9am, and fully recharged by 11:00. I can't wait to shut down the cabin & tie it in to the Eco via the rotor switch. It seems I will be able to run...

I will agree with you as Horse Power was a scam right from the get go, So I'm A-ok using KW to HP :D

I'm with jjchvl, I would double up to 2kw (along with all the great suggestions above.

Note that MOST any generator is only going to give you 120days of service before needing an overhaul. From portables to larger generacs, 120days use is equal to about 200,000miles if is was a car engine, and most generators are not matched in quality. I would go with (or build) a belt driven...

Well, A "homesteader" typically makes a living via his land, where most of the work is done onsite. This is my goal. Yes, I can convert my rants to metric :D * We're a LONG ways from being fully offgrid. Sure the cabin is 75% hybrid till we afford batteries, but we have 2 more homes, 2 pole...

FYI, We got a complete generac for $400. Had to remove it & reinstall, but hey for $400! Keep a weekly eye on Facebook Marketplace. Jonesteads going into foreclosure will very frequently sell off costly appliances they couldn't afford, and this includes whole house generators. Mostly list...

Bud, Are you saying running batteries to the DC input of a MPPT shouldn't damage it? If so this will make my life easier as I need to add a few batteries in the outhouse where the PV line routes thru, so to give some extra power in the evenings. It would save a ton of money (and noise from...

So from the 2400w array on the Coop, go to the outhouse on 2 sets of #12 THHN to the outhouse (where I plan to store cheap LifePO4's), then this continues on a single pair of #12 to the cabin where the Ecoflow is. I plan to split the array, so 1200w comes into the charge controller in the...

Ya know, while buying the parts as we could afford, I binge watched more than proper youtube videos. I now KNOW how many were BS. ANYONE saying "Get the max out of your generator" while using 380-400w array is BSing us! Don't be fooled, load down on panels. We overpaneled 300% on an ECO, and...

A "small" project: Have a 12-24vdc pump coming from Amazon for a fountain. I have 2 25w panels 30ft away on the well tower. I can't think of any reason why I couldn't just run the PV direct to pump. -Thoughts? Pump...

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Agree, Champions are unknown tanks. I see them get used in several applications in Ohio, and oddly never heard a complaint. A group of Beachy run these and can set you up a custom Champion for what you need. Just search out Grabers in Glenford Ohio. Champion does make this pure sine wave...

Thanks

The red loop wire is so I can check the amps to ensure both are working at times.

I'm curious as fluff snow fell here and my panels 12poly/12mono 3S6P are all the same. When I went to sweep off snow it all felt the same. I have reversing diodes on each string in the combiner box.... so maybe that's it. -But if heat is wasted energy.... is Hog Heaven wasting power during...

Really? I had no Idea you could do that. I figured it'd pop the host SUV 12v socket fuse

sure

Code requires a Make-Break-Make on MTS's correct?

Test Update Day 2: Well it spit snow and not a drop of sun today. The 2.4kW was bumping about 200w all day, which brought up the 2016Wh battery 48%. *** Things one does not consider with an ECO, the blower fans! We fired up an air fryer last night for the first use, pulled 1750resistive...

I have not torn into my Della mini split yet, but I read most all mini-splits operate at 48vdc internally. Maybe that rabbit hole is worth going down? My unit pulls 1000w in cool, 1600 in heat. 18k-btu, 23SEER. I plan to put a transfer switch in for it to run off the Eco Max during summer...

Whoa whoa whoa..... I've worked/installed/modified several VFD's over the years. (AC Tech, Leeson, AB Powerflex, Dart, EuroDrive, Balder,....). This has never crossed my mind! Using a VFD instead of an inverter!?!?!?! Now you all got me thinking! Can this replace an inverter I have yet to...

The chain shows up today, will get it generating Monday & will report back Here's a link of the rectifiers I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/buy/thankyou/handlers/display.html?purchaseId=106-8679320-7209833&ref_=chk_typ_browserRefresh&isRefresh=1 New Question: What happens to the Eco is I...

UPDATE: So I ended up buying two of the 240ah cheapo 24v LifePO4's off amazon: Batteries off amazon I will put them in the outhouse with this massive charge controller connected to the full 2400w array: OOYCYOO 100A controller This bank, via output of the controller load will give a constant...

My in-laws across the commune put in a rubbermaid shed 2years ago. Somehow it has held up, & we're on a hill. It came with some inefficient verts that do nothing, and it gets so damn hot in there I can't believe it hasn't melted! With that abuse, the petro will be baked out of the plastic in...

Some Beachy have this set up dual belt driving a 1"x36" shaft with different sized pulleys for changing what RPMs they need. Most have a 120v gen, an alternator, and sometime several refrigerant compressors. All analog electrically controlled and I doubt all at once loll. Beachys are very...

This is how it is on out Max 2000, but WE DON'T have PV Priority!?!?!?!?! WHAT!!!

Note on the above update: This all puts me closer to putting a real inverter in the outhouse and powering 120v/240v directly to the cabin. Then dump the Ecoflow onto another project, like taking over the deep freezer in the pole building :)

Saga Update: So without wanting to have this old tower fall, I still decided just to toss the 30' chain on from the 60T mill shaft to the 25T motor.... In hopes of getting something using the above variable boost module.... I have an analog meter & as expected I get 0-4v at 0-7MPH.... This...

Thanks V & Warpspeed. I don't care much about a few voltage drops, like you said I can upgrade it once it's functioning the way I want. Questions remain: What will the EcoDelta MPPT do if I have 40v & 80v on the DC line during the day.... hmmmm..... I'm thinking have the windmill charge a...

Week 4 I think on the ECOFLOW Max. As the title says, last night I switched the rotor switch from ECO-Off-Utility & then the mini-fridge started Clunking like a Model-T for 30seconds then gave up (but still works)???? So this was on utility. Thoughts? Also, every so often on the ECO we get...

]Thanks for the reply Zany! The first leg of the DC run is paralleled 12thhn, the second leg is single conductor 12solid (Romex). I guess I'm just concerned about safety so much here as.... well I've been watching & reading of what can go wrong with DC so a second opinion never hurts ;)...

I am so furious looking at what a Delta 2 is.... but the MAX doesn't have solar priority.... MAYNnnnnnn......

^^^ But we are talking plastic sheds right now.... so aside from code, straps would be a "thing" for this project if he went forward......

Hello all! I purchased a few of these for our commune. I am selling the following unit as after finally getting down to hooking up an Eco Delta & Rotator Switch I just don't feel like stuffing this into the panel. Ordered Oct 2020, and it's +-<1.6% accurate comparing to our utility's monthly...