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    Safely use Growatt SPF 5000 ES with portable autotransformers?

    Today I became aware of the dangers of using 240V inverters in North America through Ian's video below. Do the risks he addresses apply to all autotransformers? I'm hoping to use a pair of plug-in Rockstone 3000W portable autotransformers for 110V loads, and their ground pin would be connected...
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    [SOLVED] What size AC breaker, 7A or 10A?

    I want to push no more than 6.9A continuous through one of my circuits; Do I need an exactly-sized 7A breaker, or a slightly oversized 10A breaker to accommodate some startup surge current? I've got a Growatt SPF 5000 ES (outputs 220V euro) and a step-down transformer. The transformer's...
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    [SOLVED] Voltage drop: One or both legs?

    If my panels are 100 feet from the charger, do I calculate voltage drop as round trip and 200 feet (100 positive and 100 negative) or 100 feet total? If 200 feet that means I need some beefy wires...
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    [SOLVED] Voltage drop: Acceptable when panel voltage is 2x battery?

    Looks like I may need to accept a 4.75% voltage drop on my run of two Renogy 175W flexible panels in series. (23.9Voc/19.5Vmp/9.5A Ioc/8.98A Imp) Single string, both in series. But is this acceptable when connected to a Renogy Rover 40A MPPT controller and Sok 12V 100Ah LiFePo4 battery? I won't...
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    Low-cost battery vendors?

    What are some good sources for reliable used batteries, such as BatteryHookup? Just bought 1.5kWh from them on this round, and wanting to know if there's a better option for next round. (Post and thread title edited for clarity.)
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    Did I calculate this correctly?

    Please confirm something. Did I calculate this correctly? The maximum solar charge current on the Growatt SPF 5000ES is listed as 100A @ 48V, 97% at maximum efficiency. The maximum AC charge current is 80A @ 48V. If I have two strings of nine 230W panels (9s2p) = 4,140W of panels with a maximum...
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    BMS low-temperature disconnect using Arduino and a relay?

    I noticed many BMS lack a low-temperature disconnect. Any issue if I just plug a temperature sensor into an Arduino and at 32F ambient cut out the battery using a beefy relay? Seems like a simple way to handle this.
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    Mix old and new panels of same spec?

    I got a good deal on four slightly used Renogy 175W flexible panels, 23.9Voc, 9.5A short circuit, 19.5Vmp, 8.98Imp. Two in each string into a Renogy Rover 40A MPPT, then into a 12V Sok LiFePo4 206Ah battery. Would it be a problem if later I decided I wanted a third or fourth string of identical...
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    48V, 100A charge, 85A discharge. Multiple batteries or one large?

    Need a high current 48V pack. Capacity isn't relevant. Solar charger is rated for 100A, I don't need a fast charge rate, if a lower rate BMS can handle being connected to a high current charger. Discharge though can be up to 85A. Could I combine multiple small 12V DIY packs made from SPIM08HP...
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    If I connect a 100A charger to a 10A BMS will it release magic smoke?

    Wondering if the charger and BMS need to be matched or if the BMS will just limit down to what it needs.
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    [SOLVED] Okay to use 14s BMS on a 13s lithium-ion pack?

    I like this BMS from BatteryHookup but they're out of 13s lithium-ion models. Okay to use a 14s BMS? https://batteryhookup.com/products/12v-lifepo4-smart-bms-w-low-temp-cutoff?variant=36287975522466
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    Is this risky? SanTan used panels with backside vinyl cracking, tested good, no signs of moisture

    Good price per watt. Is this a risky buy? I might be doing ground placement and moving them around, so I may be sometimes handling them. I could caulk the cracks if necessary. Task is to power a mini-split while the sun shines, very minimal battery charging. Used SST Series 230W 60 Cell Poly...
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    Solar shed roof?

    Anyone have plans for installing a shed but with panels for the roof? Saw this design on Watts247.com but the owner of the site didn't answer my question of the details about how he did it. Looks like it might be 6" pressure-treated posts, doubled-up 2x6 beams, 2x4 joists on joist hangers, then...
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    [SOLVED] Power RV mini-split solar during day/grid (optional) at night/cloudy? Not grid-tie but grid-backup

    What's a good mid-priced decent-quality solar inverter/charger for this application, such as a Growatt or MPP? What size? What's the minimum amount of battery and array size that I need? I want to run on solar as long as sun is shining, grid as a backup when not. If grid is down and sun is up...
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    [SOLVED] Intentionally undersized battery array for RV air conditioner?

    My RV has two 13,500 BTU air cons and I would be wiring in a SoftStart to handle the startup surge. The air cons are expected to have a run wattage of about 1300W so a 3000W inverter should cover them. If I use an inverter such as an MPP PIP LV2424 and a small battery array--say, 100...
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