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diy solar

diy solar

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  • Post in thread: Array destroyed by tropical storm

    So here is the remaining 5 panels hooked back up in a single string feeding my Growatt. It’s been running for about a week now with no issues and still makes enough power to charge my Leaf just fine. I upgraded the straps to the green closed end straps and I added additional blocks so the...
  • Post in thread: 2024 YouTube Video Ideas

    midget stripper pro wrestling? sorry, that was insensitive lil people stripper pro wrestling
  • Post in thread: simple Level 1 EV charger Growatt SPF3000 ES with EG4

    In the last few months, I have added the Qcell 480 bifacial panels to the array so I now have 3150 watts of solar plus some bifacial gain. I also upgraded the AC input and AC output cords to 10awg. The 12awg cord would get pretty warm if I charged my EV for a long time. The 10awg cord stays...
  • Post in thread: Anker Powerhouse 767 Solar input Challenge!

    So I'm starting this thread for everyone doubting the capabilities of the Anker 767 and it's solar input. My current solar input record is 918 watts with 2 Qcell 480 watt bifacial panels wired in parallel (53.39VOC, 11.12ISC). 2 of these panels cost $576 which is only $27 more than 1 of...
  • Post in thread: Would you do Eg4 or something different?

    You could always install a manual transfer switch which is easy to get permitted and cheap to install and get your feet wet with something small like a growatt and EG4 batteries in one of their premade racks on casters. You gotta find a better way to heat water and get away from the electric...
  • Post in thread: Would you do Eg4 or something different?

    cold climate heat pumps are pretty common now. I agree Propane is necessary but you need to figure out some ways to cut back or you will end up with a very large and very expensive system. Have you considered having a local contractor install a turn key system? Prices vary wildly across the...
  • Post in thread: Array destroyed by tropical storm

    I hope my misfortune helps some people save their systems. I was really fortunate the entire array wasn't destroyed. Looking at my original pictures where we had 6+ inches of rain overnight, I experienced not only slippage but sinkage that allowed the straps to loosen just enough to fall off...
  • Post in thread: First Post-Here's my initial plan. Rip it apart for me...

    I like your enthusiasm but you lost me at "throw it all together".... A large system needs to be carefully planned and analyzed and all the math, money, and permits worked out ahead of time. More so with a DIY system.
  • Post in thread: Using your Electric Vehicle to power your home

    To receive the used EV tax credit, the sales price must be $25k or less. Gonna be a long time before we see a $25k Lightning
  • Post in thread: EG4 new AIO rated 12K output and 18kPV aka "EG4-18Kpv-12LV"

    10 year warranty and only 70watts idle consumption..... interesting indeed
  • Post in thread: Solar to electric vehicle-direct

    I currently charge my Leaf with solar about 95% of the time with a Growatt SPF3000TL LVM-ES and a single EG4 LifePower4 battery with 6 URE 365 watt panels wired in series. I typically charge at 12 or 16 amps at 120v with a Zencar adjustable EVSE. I spent about 4 grand with cables, racking...
  • Post in thread: Will Prowse

    Who's this Will Prowse you speak of?
  • Post in thread: Anker 767 Pass-Through Charging?

    Made a video demonstrating the bypass limits
  • Post in thread: Poll: How was your experience with signature solar?

    I chose the "I had a problem but they fixed it" even though it's hard to fault SS for Growatts wifi dongle that is so stoopid to setup. Once I get it setup right after repeating the steps about a dozen times, it hasn't failed since. I still have the SS guys email (Kyle) and have asked him...
  • Post in thread: Off topic, EV vehicle opinions…

    Funny how everyone is worried about EV's over burdening the grid... Meanwhile... local utilties and local governments are scrambling to cater to crypto farms to increase their tax base while using more power than hundreds of EV's.
  • Post in thread: Off topic, EV vehicle opinions…

    A Leaf plus will exceed 50kw pretty easily. I typically see 73-75kw.
  • Post in thread: Off topic, EV vehicle opinions…

    I'm pretty sure NIO already does battery swaps in Asia. The reality is DC fast charging is getting better and faster every day. In the near future, EV's will have a 400 mile range and will charge from 20%-80% in 15 minutes or less and add more than 200 miles. This is barely enough time to...
  • Post in thread: Local inspector shot me down

    I'm probably going to build a small solar EV charging trailer (since they won't have to inspect that!!!) to satisfy my solar cravings for now and save up for a full Sol Ark 15k system.
  • Post in thread: Anker 767 NON Portable panel suggestions

    I decided to go with just 2 large bifacial panels. They are Qcell 480 watt bifacial panels. These are listed with up to 525 watts with bifacial gain, a 53.38V VOC, 11.12ISC and are really cheap. There are numerous options for these giant bifacial panels which might have a better chance at...
  • Post in thread: Alternative to Bluetti after horrific experience? (Ireland/EU)

    With your budget and requirements, why not build an AIO with a Growatt? Upcoming Delta max will be LifePO4. What do you mean by “heavy bias towards solar”? How many watts do you need? Residential panels arent really “semi portable” and if you are just gonna get 3 100 or 200 watt panels...
  • Post in thread: Affordable 300+ watt solar panels

    Check with your local CED Greentech. Many locations have a sales counter. Also, the renogy 320 panels can be purchased from lowes and Home Depot. Lots of discounts and coupons can be used. Even Walmart has free shipping on some panels. JJN panels on eBay are cheap and include free shipping.
  • Post in thread: Off topic, EV vehicle opinions…

    That's on a Chademo DC fast charger. I think the CCS adapter is cool but its too buggy and expensive for me. Our Leaf covers all our regional travels with ease so it hasn't been much of an issue. We just use our truck for long distance towing or my wifes forester for long distance travel...
  • Post in thread: Solar powered mini split vs just using inverter and batteries with old mini split.

    How are your EG4's performing? I'm probably going to go with the new EG4 12k unit with the precharged linesets. $1299 seems like a great deal and this 20 year old mini split just isn't very efficient.
  • Post in thread: Did I Make a Mistake Buying This From Signature Solar?

    That's a helluva system for a "backup" system. Put that bitch in service and beat the hell out of it. Pretend you're a loan shark and that system owes you money!! My experience with Sig Solar has been mostly positive. I'm not sure who you are gonna find that's better. Personally, I'm...
  • Post in thread: My daughter is shopping for an ev she is looking at a bolt

    For a local and regional daily driver, the 2nd gen Leaf+ is a bargain right now. Low mileage cars well under $20k plus you get the $4k tax credit. Literally anyone can drive one. Lots of safety tech. very peppy, comfy for 4 adults, heat pump. Slow charging for the most part although I...
  • Post in thread: simple Level 1 EV charger Growatt SPF3000 ES with EG4

    Simple Level 1 Growatt SPF3000TL LVM-ES with EG4 Lifepower4 battery (3ft 2awg battery cables) with guest appearances from a Zencar level 1/2 adjustable EVSE and my Anker 767/760 that I use for an energy dump when I'm not home. Six URE 365 watt panels wired in series with 20 amp inline fuse and...
  • Post in thread: simple Level 1 EV charger Growatt SPF3000 ES with EG4

    To answer your question, it's been working well for 9 months now and I've charged my Leaf with 1.7 megawatts of solar. I should be over 2 megawatts by the 1 year mark. I've only had a few issues thus far. 1. The output cable needed to be upgraded to 10awg because it would get too warm...
  • Post in thread: Off topic, EV vehicle opinions…

    Just take Leafspy with you and look at the SOH and pack balance. Most Leaf+ are still above 90% SOH which is where they tend to level off anyway.
  • Post in thread: Opinions solicitation. Future battery price trend?

    By all accounts, there is a glut of lithium battery suppliers at the moment and prices have been steadily dropping for the last year. MY prediction is for the home battery market to continue to blossom while the EV battery market slows down. Funny how the home battery market isn't politicized...
  • Post in thread: Anker 767 Pass-Through Charging?

    Yes, full inverter power when charging from the DC input (2200 watts UK, 2400 watts USA). 1440 watts total when in bypass mode.
  • Post in thread: First Post-Here's my initial plan. Rip it apart for me...

    This brings up an interesting question about service, support, and turn around time for repairs with the EG4 18k. With Sig Sol nearby, the EG4 would be my choice along with a decent sized dual fuel or diesel generator for real SHTF moments. Also, try to keep the system simple (which the...
  • Post in thread: LFP for EV's projected to be less than $56 per kWh within 6 months

    2 steps down in battery prices and 1 step up in energy density means Tesla is that much closer to a $25k Model 2. Teslas lithium processing facility comes online in just a few months and everyone is switch to NACS in the next year. Tesla will continue to build their lead on everyone else.
  • Post in thread: Array destroyed by tropical storm

    So my array was mostly destroyed this morning by the tropical storm. Im in Greenville NC and we took a direct hit and a 70mph gust at just the right angle loosed one of the tie downs enough that it fell off the anchor and that was all she wrote. Ground was saturated from 5” of rain as well...
  • Post in thread: Would you do Eg4 or something different?

    Take a few minutes and learn how to do the temp calcuations. Several online calculators and once you learn how to do it, you will always be sure. I'm sure someone has a link handy if you can't find one. Here's one... https://footprinthero.com/solar-panel-voltage-calculator
  • Post in thread: Off topic, EV vehicle opinions…

    In case everyone hasn't heard, Dala has made his EV upgrade process opensource allowing pretty much anyone to follow his guide and upgrade their Leaf's battery in their driveway or at a local garage making the Leaf a true shade tree enthusiast car. Dala's opensource Leaf battery upgrade
  • Post in thread: Off topic, EV vehicle opinions…

    I guess I misunderstood goals but I respect your finanicial restraint and I think the Volt is a solid choice with a great hatch.
  • Post in thread: Gravity Generator with weights (like an old style clock)

    the best gravity generators are simple water storage and diy micro hydro. Simple and effective.
  • Post in thread: Local inspector shot me down

    ground mount isn't an option due to shading and inspector says a permit would be required anyway so the only cost savings would be engineering. Pitt County, NC has been on a mission to stick it to people that live here. Our real estate property taxes have increased 40% in the last two years...
  • Post in thread: Solar powered mini split vs just using inverter and batteries with old mini split.

    the PV system will be for the entire shop. Lights, fridge, outlets, garage opener, EV charger, power tools, AND a mini split that heats and cools the bonus space above the shop. The panel and wiring are just fine. The mini split is just old and not nearly as efficient as the new ones are so...
  • Post in thread: Mount panels on Solar Pergola ? Anyone know a cheaper method for bifacial panels?

    I live in one of the least solar friendly counties in the state of NC. Permitting is a nightmare and netmetering here is a joke. That being said, with a small system like you are talking about, build a small DIY system on a shed, pergola, or portable ground mount and keep your mouth shut...
  • Post in thread: Anker 767 Pass-Through Charging?

    Gimme a minute and I"ll let you know..... Edit, long story short…. Nothing happened. I changed the charge rate to 500 watts while still charging the Leaf at 1400 watts and it just kept charging. I turned the inverter off and back on a few minutes later and it resumed charging at 1400 watts...
  • Post in thread: Going off Grid in Western NC (Lansing 28643)

    There are no tree obstuctions anywhere near the homesite. Phoenix mountain delays the sunrise a bit but then it's full sun all day. I have plenty of room to ground mount or roof mount although roof mount would get me up a lil higher to catch the morning sun. Lansing gets a fair amount of snow...
  • Post in thread: Best high volume portable panels for home backup system?

    Dokio has a 300 watt portable panel on Amazon
  • Post in thread: Anker Powerhouse 767 Solar input Challenge!

    The 1000 watt limit isn't the one you need to worry about. It's the 60v VOC limit that complicates things. My goal is to stay under 60v VOC with a margin for temp compensation but to produce as much wattage as possible for the least amount of money. It really wouldn't matter if your panels...
  • Post in thread: What is the logic in a 2400W output solar generator… with a 1500Wh battery?

    Microwave, coffee pot, electric chain saw, tailgating. Which unit are you refering to? Most of the 2400 watt solar generators are 2048wh but cost a lot more than $799.
  • Post in thread: Electric cars

    I have 3kw of panels, a 3kw Growatt (SPF3000TL LVM-ES), a EG4 LifePower4 battery, and I use a Zencar adjustable EVSE to charge my Leaf+. The Zencar can charge from 8amps up to 16amps @ 120v. I've run nearly a megawatt of solar charging through this system with nary a hiccup. On a sunny...
  • Post in thread: Anker 767 Pass-Through Charging?

    Makes sense to me.... Utility power can supply 1400ish watts of bypass power which is equal to the amount the AC charger can provide., anything above that and the inverter needs to kick in and make up the difference from the battery. Edit: further testing proves the unit will not bypass more...
  • Post in thread: Off topic, EV vehicle opinions…

    My current Level 1 setup is a Growatt SPF3000 LVM-ES and I use an adjustable EVSE
  • Post in thread: Family in high-rise building, no panel(s) allowed, 72 hour backup plan

    1. Hang portable solar panels in the window. 2. Buy a small inverter generator and keep it in your car. Once a day, take the solar generator downstairs and recharge it Outside. 3. have a 12v to 24v or 36v converter installed in your vehicle and once a day recharge the solar generator with...
  • Post in thread: Best method to connect an Anker 767 to an off-grid circuit

    Why would you need to connect to anything in a small shed with no grid connection? Just plug your lights and tools directly into the 767 for the sake of simplicity.

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