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I know the code enforcement office for my city and can tell you for certain the satellite photo's are only used if they have a reason to look. That reason is almost always complaint driven (i.e. some nosy neighbor calls in). Then it has to be worth their time. And that would only be for...

I love this forum, and I was glad I could contribute a little to get you setup.

I have never been more satisfied than moving part of my house off grid. This project started as a way to protect the food in my freezers. We dont lose power very often, but when we do it seems it's for a long time. Which means running a generator all the time to save the freezers. This...

I have run into this problem myself. The issue is that the spec on your HVAC does not include inrush. Most HVAC compressors have a minimum of 6 times the run current value. Some go as far as 10 times. Your inverter is not 6 times more powerful than your HVAC. FYI .. this is why low...

I see you are running the Bluetooth versions of charge controllers. You can pair Victron Blue Tooth devices together with the steps below: Open VictronConnect, connect the device, and then navigate to Settings and select VE.Smart Networking. Click Create Network, enter a name. Click Save and...

Panels dont really care about their degree of rotation to the best of my knowledge and experience. It's mostly about angle to the sun.

Do you have any idea how much inrush current your heat pump is pulling. Some compressors can pull up to 4 times their stated runtime current. For example, a HVAC system that runs at 20 amps might pull 80 at startup. I'm not familiar with the specifics of your inverter, but 50 amps of...

I've graduated from buying pre-built batteries, such as the Ampertime Battery, to building my own. Love it - should have done it from the very start. But now I am realizing that the Overkill BMS literally tells me everything. I am going to get rid of the lead acid battery in my RV and build...

@Eclipse I am doing the very thing you want to do. I use a Victron solar charger and it has a cool programmable relay. I programmed the relay to turn on when there is sun and off when there is no sun. This relay triggers a bigger relay that moves my HVAC system from solar during the day, to...

I purchased a 3000 Watt WZRELB inverter and it runs my lower wattage appliances without issue. However --- if I put something bigger on it, like my air compressor the pulls 1400 Watts, it simply wont run it. For context: I have two Amperetime 200ah lithium 12V batteries running in parallel...

Electrically (Technically) you can put a smaller main breaker down stream of a bigger one and it will work fine. As Ampster said, if you hire an inspector - they may have some strange rules in your area that says you cant. But there is no danger to putting a smaller breaker down stream. You...

I believe rmaddy had it right, it will be cheaper to just run 2AWG wire...

Dunno about rates at every welding shop, but my local shop was within 50 cents of online. With the bonus of being able to look and touch it. The "touch" factor was worth it given I could buy exactly the length I wanted and didn't get locked into 10, 25 or 50 foot online lengths.

I agree on the 250/100. Saving up to build my next battery set. That will be a fun project I think.

@sunshine_eggo Not enough coffee, yes I did mean inductive. Oddly enough, the furnace fan starts and runs with no problem, I just can't get the furnace to ignite. The link you provided is the inverter that you are using? @MisterSandals: The compressor tries to run, but just moves slowly...

@gnoeld: I am running that particular inverter - it is a high frequency inverter, not a low frequency inverter. It only holds surge loads for 20 milliseconds. So you need to find a unit that can sustain around 9000 watts for 20 seconds or more.

It's all about that inrush current. I have not been able to run my HVAC either with that inverter and I am running 4/0 cable. I will be replacing the inverter...

The inverter is only running the fan on the HVAC. The HVAC has two power inputs, one for the fan and one for the compressor side.

Thank you! I was hoping that was the case.

I am excited to be building my first battery using new EVE cells from Amy (Docan) as recommended by Will. Over the next few months (as the pay checks roll in) I plan on making a couple of more batteries. Question is: How important is a battery box if I'm using all new stuff? I want to keep...

I agree with both Bobert, you are so close to the peak voltage that it's not worth risking killing the SCC. I would jump to the larger unit.

I just assembled my first battery and none of my cells (purchased from same) looked like that. They all sit next to each other perfectly square. I'm interested to see how many other opinions come in on this thread as I want to build a few more batteries. The swelling would concern me too.

Lt. Dan - the IEEE standard for panels data sheets is to report VOC at 25C (77 Fahrenheit). At 0C, I would not gamble with the theoretical voltage drop on the wire. This is because wire also changes conductive values with temperature. In your case (According to the data sheet), your panels...

The biggest problem I see is that the motor appears to pull about 437 amps at full load startup. In fact, if you look at the link, it appears to state 450a (assuming 450 amps). That motors running amps looks to be around 179. So the key things I would think to consider is making sure your...

I've seen scary stories with cells catching on fire, but my understanding that is when you buy cheap/used cells. My battery location is safe from accidental shorting, stuff falling on them etc.

Here's a trick I learned about buying wire/cable. Find a local welding supply shop in your area. They will nearly always carry welding cable. That cable is multi-strand and easy to bend. Also, it allows you to "look" at it before you buy it. A bonus: welding shops sell it by the foot. So...

Maybe this will help: As others have tried to point out, you are using 8 amps at 120 volts. That is 960 watts (8*120). If your inverter is running at 12 v, then you can divide that 960 watts by 12 to get the amp draw on your system. That is a 80 amp draw... ...and is why you are killing...

@lfightfire My panels are 150 feet from my charge controller. I am running a Victron 150/100 with 6 gauge wire. The panels are 240 watt, with a VOC of 37.2. They are configured 3s3p. I have no troubles getting 100 amps out of the charge controller at that distance, and my guess is you will...

Hi, I have helped a friend build a really big battery setup for his RV. Here is the basics: * 1800 Amps of 12 battery * Victron Shunt * Victron victron multiplus split phase The question: when charging on city power, the inverter pushes almost 120 amps. The bus bar that is connected to the...

Thanks! Yes, 1800Ah of battery, typed question fast. Technically there are 3 batteries capable of delivering 120 amps each. We have 4/0 wire, good lugs, etc. --- but the washer thing ... will have to go double check that one.