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Everyone that participates on this site should read the detailed information on the Orion BMS site about the limitations/advantages/drawbacks of hooking up batteries in various manners. It is quite thorough, and would answer many of these questions. And, most likely result in safer...

Colorist: PM sent.

Texas SUn: What about the 5k Sol-Ark? Under $4500

WGL: a lot depends on the small inverter. Don't cheap out...get a good quality one. Cheaper ones tend to greatly exaggerate their ratings with the result being you don't get the kind of consistent results a person would normally desire. You might consider getting a slightly bigger one, like...

Not UL listed.

It appears your pull out fuse block has 2 conductors under each lug, which generally isn't legal. (It is hard to tell what terminals might be hidden) In general it is a bad idea. Run one set of conductors to one of the panels, and make the other a sub-panel. Normally, that means 4...

jgriffin: This idea is nothing new, and I'd never label it " quite, quite outside the box". Glass, in many forms has been used to semi-enclose space, serve as a barrier, or even a piece of art. It was even used in that same basic form to create carports. But back then, it was not a solar...

Yes. I'm glad it appears that the H6 is sold out, so we can finally get past this question. Hopefully....

Joe: Thanks for saying that. Many people just don't have experience with that limitation. Love your set-up, by the way. Surplus Sales of Nebraska is a good source for stuff like this. But they are never going to have a deal as good as the one you found locally. Shipping is EXPENSIVE on...

I strongly urge others to jump into this issue, and check it out. Then report back to the forum. I hope I'm wrong. I read a plethora of OSHA, NRTL, NEC, UL, Fire Code, etc regulations, and talked to a lot of code officials. Also, some companies like CED Greentech. The consensus was what I...

GXMnow: Your comments on the DC coupled aspects of the XW Pro are on point for what we are considering. I'd eliminated the Schneider equipment from consideration early on, but have come around after reading a lot of comments from users like yourself. Of course, Radian is a good unit too, and...

fafrd: very interesting info. We were discussing these subjects today, especially the idea of a small bank of the GTIL units. We wonder how long (on average) they might last. Wish I could get my hands on one just to inspect it, before buying. I'm just finishing up 2 complete kitchen tear...

Ampster: I reached out to Outback today to get an answer to this. I will post their answer if/or when I get an answer. As I stated in this thread, I've heard this from 3 different companies, all of whom I am working with on pricing of inverter/charge controller options. I've ordered a fair...

Oops. hit the wrong key. TechnoDave: I've been trying to make that same point, but you did a great job. I would add that the 2020 NEC added clarification to this section of the code regarding NRTL's. There are lists of currently approved ones, and ones that have lost their approvals also...

Hedges: I think we are going to buy Sunny Island. Just one, and use with an autotransformer. I want our basic system to heavily focus on battery backup, and try to get to the point where we can run at night on batteries, and recharge the next day. I did think about adding a grid tied portion...

GXMnow: very interesting. One thing I've always wondered is if automotive batteries are consistent between manufacturers. For example, if the Volt (presumably) uses LG pouch cells, are the charge profiles and capacities the same if used by different car manufacturers? I've mostly purchased...

Very nice.

TexasSun: What about Radian, or XW-Pro? By the way, I feel your pain on this. We are going through some of the same gyrations trying to find solutions for our system, and for a couple of friends.

Self sufficent: I don't think you would need a 400 gallon tank if you will consistently divert excess energy. About half that size, with really good insulation should work just fine. Of course, if you happen to have access to a really big tank, sometime more is better! You might also want to...

willo: I love your idea. Just some suggestions for you to think about, based on my experience. I've been building for over 40 years, and have pretty much seen it all. We live in strange times with some bizarre constraints, which may mean adapting some ideas. We used to live out in the same...

OffGridDave: It sounds like you are on an interesting journey to get off grid. Just a suggestion: you are asking for advice, but before anyone can give any, you are buying other items that change the dynamics of the situation. I'd hold off and get your land bought, and verify some of the...

BlueOvalBruin: Just to make the point, those 2 Victrons have the same transformer, the difference is the breaker. I question whether it might makes sense to buy the less expensive one and then supply your own breaker to fit your specific usage?

Shaun: Go to Harbor Freight and get yourself a nice AC/DC clamp meter, that will allow you to check these parameters. The Kill A Watt are great too. They are pretty decent units, and are very reasonably priced. I'm happy with mine. A lot of your numbers are high compared with what I've...

ChrisG: Have you made any choices yet? Am following this with great interest. For what it is worth, I had been told by a guy who sells a LOT of Outback that the Skybox is a discontinued item. I just checked with another source today, and they confirmed it, and said they were glad to see it...

Shaun: I have Honda generators. Love them. Cannot understand why Honda is ignoring this obvious market segment. Duh....

I am currently examining surplus military engine crates as a possible housing for noisy generators. They typical weigh about 500#, are super heavy duty, and big. They might also be repurposed for battery containment. Look on Gov Planet for examples.

sunshine_eggo: Thanks for the answer. Unfortunately, the specific Phoenix units I wanted to buy (24v, 2000va) cannot be paralleled. The Compact units, and the larger units can. This is confusing, because it you look at a Victron ad, they state the Phoenix can be paralleled, but if you look...

Which LTO are you using? Do they have the welded buss bars? Could you reconfigure them by cutting buss bars, and tapping the plates, or some other method to allow for new terminals? My Fit batteries are very hard to modify, and I decided it wasn't worth the mess. I don't have as many as you...

WC: Don't rely on that information about Outback not being made in China. I'm not pushing any brand in this discussion, and in fact am looking at many of these same brands for our projects. Many of these units are made in China, Victron in India, etc. Magnum is still made in the USA, and...

Hedges: you make some good arguments for simplicity. I'm mainly working with NMC, and there is quite the learning curve. As an interesting side note, I read several engineering reports concerning the safety of chemistries like NMC. Their conclusion was that the difference between NMC and...