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120v version of solar diverter (similar to Myenergi Eddi)

mmm33732

mmm33732

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I'm looking for a solar diverter to divert excess AC current from a grid-tie system to a water heater or other similar device. Basically just trying to get to zero-export on a grid tied system for the times it's making more than being used. Myenergi Eddi is one commercial version as is PVmate that use a CT sensor to tell the diverter when to divert that excess to another device (heating element) so it does not get exported.. Both of those 2 seem to be for 230v setups. Here in the US, I need something for 120v. Know of any 120v versions of similar type diverter products?
 
Last edited:
mmm33732 said:
I'm looking for a solar diverter to divert excess AC current from a grid-tie system to a water heater or other similar device. Basically just trying to get to zero-export on a grid tied system for the times it's making more than being used. Myenergi Eddi is one commercial version as is PVmate that use a CT sensor to tell the diverter when to divert that excess to another device (heating element) so it does not get exported.. Both of those 2 seem to be for 230v setups. Here in the US, I need something for 120v. Know of any 120v versions of similar type diverter products?
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What kind of grid-tied system do you have that is 120v. Most in the US are 240v.
 
timselectric said:
What kind of grid-tied system do you have that is 120v. Most in the US are 240v.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I think the problem is the mentioned devices only use one Ct to see export for a single phase service instead of 2. However if the 240v grid tie inverter is exporting it would be seen by the single Ct. but if there’s a 120v load on the leg the Ct is on but no 120v loads on the other leg that could cause the single Ct to think exporting wasn’t happening even if it was.
 
No-brand cheap micro inverters. So they directly take the PV and convert it to 120v where it is tied or plugged into a standard 120v outlet. I have a few running like this, but all tie into the same leg of the meter. A single CT should be able to see this surplus production as they are only on 1 leg. (120v rather than both legs for 240v)

This is not what I have specifically, but similar enough to compare. https://www.amazon.com/Inverter-Mic...04010ad0&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
 
mmm33732 said:
No-brand cheap micro inverters. So they directly take the PV and convert it to 120v where it is tied or plugged into a standard 120v outlet. I have a few running like this, but all tie into the same leg of the meter. A single CT should be able to see this surplus production as they are only on 1 leg. (120v rather than both legs for 240v)

This is not what I have specifically, but similar enough to compare. https://www.amazon.com/Inverter-Microinverter-Automatic-Identification-Inverters/dp/B099X864TZ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2GF48YSSZRFYY&keywords=microinverter&qid=1693255518&sprefix=microinvert,aps,160&sr=8-2-spons&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Click to expand...
I would think that a 240v would work. As long as the CT was on the correct leg. But it would require 240v to feed itself.
As long as it works on 60hz.
 
timselectric said:
I would think that a 240v would work. As long as the CT was on the correct leg. But it would require 240v to feed itself.
As long as it works on 60hz.
Click to expand...
Actually I'm not sure. I'll let someone else answer. I'm strictly an off grid guy.
 
I know it’s kinda off topic, but is there even a device, power diverter or something similar that we can use in the USA to use up our grid tie power instead of exporting it
 
Auto transformer to convert between 120v and split phase 240v?

Sol-ark gen connection can be set to energize when batteries reach 90%. Put dump load there.
 
All these replies but really no attempts to answer... so does anyone know of a 120v version of one of these "immersion heater diverters"? Or perhaps if they would function on 120v rather than 230v. :)
 
mmm33732 said:
All these replies but really no attempts to answer... so does anyone know of a 120v version of one of these "immersion heater diverters"? Or perhaps if they would function on 120v rather than 230v. :)
Click to expand...
I'm usually bombarded with products like this when I am looking for something else. Now when I go to look, I can't find any. The control relay passes from one terminal to another. The other line is a pass thru. The control could easily work in 120 with a small transformer to boost to 220V for the electronics. That is all it needs besides looking at the phase of the voltage.

That amazon listing is just one of these in a case and not as accurate. I buy these for a little over $2 with shipping. Monitors any voltage up to 99V.
VoltMons.jpg
 
timselectric said:
That's exactly the topic of this thread.
Click to expand...
Well not really. The OP wants a 120v diverter. I’m asking about what’s available in the USA to use with 240v, not 120v Micro grid tie inverters. Standard 230v diverter would not work because it would need to use two CTs to accurately see what’s happening on both legs
 
efficientPV said:
I'm usually bombarded with products like this when I am looking for something else. Now when I go to look, I can't find any. The control relay passes from one terminal to another. The other line is a pass thru. The control could easily work in 120 with a small transformer to boost to 220V for the electronics. That is all it needs besides looking at the phase of the voltage.

That amazon listing is just one of these in a case and not as accurate. I buy these for a little over $2 with shipping. Monitors any voltage up to 99V.
View attachment 165029
Click to expand...
Does this only divert at a settable battery voltage? I’d think diverter to load or starting a load would be done better if the device used CTs to know when there’s excess pv power going to the grid
 
My response was that the amazon device was high priced, not that it was appropriate. Two CT transformers are convenient, but only one is needed if both legs are put thru. That usually presents a hole size problem. If you find a product, I'll comment on how to use it, not going out of my way to search for one.
 
Cheap 4-life said:
Well not really. The OP wants a 120v diverter. I’m asking about what’s available in the USA to use with 240v, not 120v Micro grid tie inverters. Standard 230v diverter would not work because it would need to use two CTs to accurately see what’s happening on both legs
Click to expand...
I would expect the same diverter to be used for both situations.
As far as I know, there are no 120v only diverters.
A standard diverter should monitor both legs. And switch on a relay, if exporting is detected in either leg.
But I can't recommend any particular ones. As I'm strictly an off grid guy.
I'm only going on what I have read, in threads here.
 
 
timselectric said:
A standard diverter should monitor both legs. And switch on a relay, if exporting is detected in either leg.
Click to expand...
It should but I don’t know of any that can use 2 CTs to work correctly for our splitphase homes. All diverters I have seen are for single phase only utilizing one Ct. The homes mains wires are to far apart to put them thru a single Ct. That how most meters on our homes read our power usage but wouldn’t be physically possible for the diverters to do it that way
 
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