diy solar

diy solar

Eg4 mini split and charging batteries

I'd save the 400$ and get a cheaper unit like a Midea or Pioneer and spend it on an extra ~3kwH of battery.

Not a fan of going down the non-standard route, especially if it will just complicate things.
 
manwithtalents said:
It is possible with an MPPT, install a "Y" connector from the array going to the mini split and the MPPT. I've experimented with that configuration and the "excess" PV power will go to the MPPT to charge the batteries. When I say excess, when the mini split is only using 800 watts for example and you have potentially 1200 from the array. I did notice even with my mini split at max(1100) watts, there is always a small amount wattage going to the MPPT providing a trickle charge. Why it does this I don't have a clue,
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It would not be recommended to do this.
 
Madcodger said:
Or.... You could just size your solar system to run a "regular" minisplit, and call it a day.

To be frank, I find this whole "solar minisplit" concept a bit gimmicky. From what I'm reading on this forum, if you don't have those "solar" minisplits set up to run only on solar, with no AC connection, they constantly draw at least some AC. And some reports here say that if they are set up for solar only, they sometimes have a problem restarting once they stop. I guess I could see buying one if you already have your system sized to run everything other than a minisplit, and then later decide you want to add said minisplit and don't want to upsize your inverter, etc. But otherwise, why not just size the solar system to run a good minisplit (Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, MrCool, etc.) and never worry about the solar-AC integration of just the minisplit? I actually like the minisplit specs of the EG4 units everyone is abuzz about, but the "added" solar just seems gimmicky to me. I suspect I'm in the minority on this one, though, and am happy to be shown the error of my ways, so push back as you wish.
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"...if you don't have those "solar" minisplits set up to run only on solar, with no AC connection, they constantly draw at least some AC."

That hasn't been my experience. Mine runs on the PV after the sun comes up, and AC after it goes down.

There's a split between DC and AC as the sun rises and sets, but it's 100% one or the other after the transition.

During heavy clouds, it shares AC/DC, just like at dawn and dusk.
 
turtlebits said:
I'd save the 400$ and get a cheaper unit like a Midea or Pioneer and spend it on an extra ~3kwH of battery.

Not a fan of going down the non-standard route, especially if it will just complicate things.
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that extra $400 bucks is nothing compared to spending $4000 dollars on a extra ~3kwH of battery
I love my EG4 Mini Split and have saved $200 bucks already in gas for the 4 months its been installed.
It will be payed off and making money in a year. Not ten years like a battery system.

1709249873126.png
 
Sundog33 said:
that extra $400 bucks is nothing compared to spending $4000 dollars on a extra ~3kwH of battery
I love my EG4 Mini Split and have saved $200 bucks already in gas for the 4 months its been installed.
It will be payed off and making money in a year. Not ten years like a battery system.
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The reason I said extra 3kWh of battery is because you can get that much battery for $400 ;)
 
timselectric said:
You are paying entirely way too much for batteries. lol
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Its not only batteries, its Charge Controller, Inverter, Wiring, Connectors, Circuit Breakers, etc.
Alls Im saying is its much cheaper to just buy the Solar Panels and your done. I was thinking this said 30kw

That what you would need to run an AC
 
Sundog33 said:
Its not only batteries, its Charge Controller, Inverter, Wiring, Connectors, Circuit Breakers, etc.
Alls Im saying is its much cheaper to just buy the Solar Panels and your done. I was thinking this said 30kw

That what you would need to run an AC
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I haven't been following this thread.
I only commented on the battery price you mentioned.
If more people were willing to pay 5 to 6 times the going rate for batteries. I would become a battery supplier, today.
 
That’s my point. People pay 5 or 6 times the price to get the same outcome.

Hybrid mini splits are the way to go for most efficient bang for your buck.
When you start making money off it in a year you can save it for an elaborate battery system if you so choose.

Not paying up front for years then kidding yourself that your getting free AC
 
I have zero use for them.
But, everyone is entitled to do whatever they want.
You do you, booboo. ;)
 
I just try to help these Newbees steer clear of the Darkside know-it-alls.
There is always multiple ways to Skin a Cat. 🤣

I do respect a nice system. No disrespect to that.
Just there are cheaper ways to get there
 
The solar direct mini splits do have a place. If that's all that you want. But if you're installing an off grid system. Then their dedicated panels are taking up valuable space. That could be used for more than just one thing. And they still require a second source of power. If you want to use them when the sun isn't shining.
 
The number one draw on any home is the Heating and Air Con.

I mean it’s still going to plug into to your Battery System at night , so what’s the difference for Off Grid?
The Upside would be:
- less Cycles on the Batteries.
- Panels are Dirt Cheap right now. I paid $100 for 305w Panels
- Still have power if your Battery System fails

The Downside:
- more real estate needed for Panel install.
( Which is kinda my Problem for future builds ).
I really never see an example of. “Wasted power of dedicated panels”. because it’s will use everything I throw at it.
But 1200watts of panels is its sweet spot. Anything more than that and it would waste power.
 
I have a Battery system too. But it’s only used for lights , fish tank and whatever

But ya I am far from being Off Grid.
 
Sundog33 said:
that extra $400 bucks is nothing compared to spending $4000 dollars on a extra ~3kwH of battery
I love my EG4 Mini Split and have saved $200 bucks already in gas for the 4 months its been installed.
It will be payed off and making money in a year. Not ten years like a battery system.

View attachment 199186
Click to expand...
If you're paying $4000 for 3 Kwh of battery that is just crazy. Crazy...........🤑
 
Zwy said:
If you're paying $4000 for 3 Kwh of battery that is just crazy. Crazy...........🤑
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I thought that originally said 30kwh. Which is the average home usage per day.

3kwh is nothing. A drop in a bucket.
The average cost of electricity in the United States is 12.88 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).

a whopping $3.86 of battery. Or rather 38cents worth of battery. Lol
 
Last edited:
For that $400 you could buy 1200watts of Solar Panels. Hook it to your EG4 hybrid mini split and have free A/C and Heat all day long for free. Now that’s Crazy!
 
Sundog33 said:
I thought that originally said 30kwh. Which is the average home usage per day.

3kwh is nothing. A drop in a bucket.
The average cost of electricity in the United States is 12.88 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).

a whopping $3.86 of battery. Or rather 38cents worth of battery. Lol
Click to expand...
You wrote it, own it. https://diysolarforum.com/threads/eg4-mini-split-and-charging-batteries.67288/post-1023924 "that extra $400 bucks is nothing compared to spending $4000 dollars on a extra ~3kwH of battery"
 
Sundog33 said:
For that $400 you could buy 1200watts of Solar Panels. Hook it to your EG4 hybrid mini split and have free A/C and Heat all day long for free. Now that’s Crazy!
Click to expand...
For $624 I can purchase eight 280Ah cells and build a 24V battery and use any excess PV to charge it.

I'll beat you to the next step as you will say I need a BMS , but I will counter and say you need a mount for your panels. You will respond I will lay the panels on the ground, my response will be the grass will grow tall around the panels leading to shading. You will respond you will lay the panels on concrete, which will drive up the cost unless you lay them on your driveway. I will respond your wife comes home from the bar drunk one night and runs over the panels laying in the driveway. See, you should have just purchased that $4000 battery. :ROFLMAO:
 
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