50 amp plug-in system

[Crash71]

So I have a unique situation compared to most looking for a 50-amp RV system. None of the other threads resolve it. I am building a tiny house that is currently running off a 50-amp RV hookup. I want to make a plug-and-play off-grid system to literally just take the plug from the grid and plug it into a solar-powered power center. I feel like with the research I've done so far the EG4 6000EX will get the job done. I'm just not sure if it's the ultimate solution of if there might be something more appropriate out there for my needs.
My highest draw appliance is a 1.5 ton mini-split and other than the inverter I'm planning on 2.5kW panels & a 19.2kWh battery bank from Renogy.

 

[MisterSandals]

2.5kW panels & a 19.2kWh battery bank from Renogy.

2500W x 5h solar = 10000Wh harvested daily

It will take at least 2 days without any power use to recharge from empty battery to full.

Do you have any idea what your daily kWh usage is?

 

[Crash71]

2500W x 5h solar = 10000Wh harvested daily

It will take at least 2 days without any power use to recharge from empty battery to full.

Do you have any idea what your daily kWh usage is?

Should have put the amount of 2.5kW panels shouldn't I. 8 @ 2.5kW to 20 total.

 

[MisterSandals]

Should have put the amount of 2.5kW panels shouldn't I. 8 @ 2.5kW to 20 total.

Doesn't the 2.5kW solar consist of 8 panels already?

 

[Crash71]

Doesn't the 2.5kW solar consist of 8 panels already?

I'm really not sure that's why I need all the help I can get.

 

[Crash71]

Honestly, I'm not sure what my consumption will be I have 18k mini split, we'll be running an all in one washer/dryer, 12 sqft fridge, an incinerating toilet, counter top 2 burner induction cooktop, countertop convection oven, all LED lighting and basic smart device and laptop charging. in an 8'x24' building. Also the location of this system is going to be in south Texas. And I plan on adding wind power to the system in the future.

 

[MisterSandals]

Honestly, I'm not sure what my consumption will be

You really need to get these numbers worked out. Here is a link to this sites official energy audit tools. You will learn more doing this than any other step in the solar process.

System Energy Audit and Sizing Spread Sheet

To get the spreadsheet, click on the orange button at the top of this page. This sheet is intended to help you plan your system. Fill it out down to the last decimal place, look at the results..... and then make your best guess;) Notes...

diysolarforum.com

Your appliance list is setting of warning alarms in my spidy sense for how much solar you will need.
And how many watts of solar do you think you can get on a 8x24 roof (with vents and stacks i assume).

And I plan on adding wind power to the system in the future.

Not a lot of success stories for wind on this forum that i recall. But, the sun don't shine at night. I'd consider extra solar and a ground array before wind.

 

[MisterSandals]

Here is a thread of someone working thru their energy audit. I will look for more/better ones.

Sizing My First System

Not sure I am doing this right. I am sizing my system to just backup. I have 2 Fridges, one gas stove, microwave, toaster oven., and the rest just house lights. Just those few I am showing a draw of 12KWH a day. That seems high. What do you guys think.

diysolarforum.com

 

[Crash71]

You really need to get these numbers worked out. Here is a link to this sites official energy audit tools. You will learn more doing this than any other step in the solar process.

System Energy Audit and Sizing Spread Sheet

To get the spreadsheet, click on the orange button at the top of this page. This sheet is intended to help you plan your system. Fill it out down to the last decimal place, look at the results..... and then make your best guess;) Notes...

diysolarforum.com

Your appliance list is setting of warning alarms in my spidy sense for how much solar you will need.
And how many watts of solar do you think you can get on a 8x24 roof (with vents and stacks i assume).


Not a lot of success stories for wind on this forum that i recall. But, the sun don't shine at night. I'd consider extra solar and a ground array before wind.

I'm planning on a ground array, we're going to be on this 1 acre for a few years saving up for a bigger place then break everything down and move it once. Thank you for linking the calculation sheet. Below is what I'm looking at give or take some cell phones being charged.

System size calculations
Full Load W-hrs.	6461.5	W-Hrs.
Full Load Watts	1162	Watts
AC Watts	1012	Watts
AC Surge wattage	1500	Watts
AC Watt-Hrs	6356.5	W-Hrs.
DC Watts	150	Watts
DC Watt-Hrs	105	W-Hrs.
Inverter Sizing
Inverter efficiency	90.00%	%
Min continuous Inverter size	1124	Watts
Min Surge Inverter size (Input Watts)	2791	Watts
Battery Sizing
Daily Storage Requirement	7168	W-Hrs/Day
Max discharge from full CHARGE	90.0%	%
# days of storage capacity	2.0	Days
System Voltage	48.0	Volts
min Battery capacity W-Hrs	15928.4	W-Hrs.
min Battery capacity A-Hrs	331.8	Amp Hours
Max continuous current to DC Loads	3.1
Max continuous DC current to Inverter	23.4
Max continuous current from bat.	26.6	Amps
Max Continuous discharge rate	0.08	C
Solar Aray Sizing
# sunny days to recharge while under load	1.0	Days
Required Total daily Solar output (Sunny)	21503.3	W-Hrs.
Insolation # (Equivelent hours of full sun)	5.0	Hours
Min Solar Cell Wattage	4300.7	Watts
Max Charge Current	89.6	Amps
Max Charge rate	0.27​	C

 

[Crash71]

If I'm reading this right I need a bigger solar array, correct?

 

[Crash71]

If I want it to recharge over 2 days I shouldn't need that much more if this reads the way I think it does...

Solar Aray Sizing
# sunny days to recharge while under load	2.0	Days
Required Total daily Solar output (Sunny)	14335.6	W-Hrs.
Insolation # (Equivelent hours of full sun)	5.0	Hours
Min Solar Cell Wattage	2867.1	Watts
Max Charge Current	59.7	Amps
Max Charge rate	0.18​	C

 

[Hedges]

It all comes down to power consumption.
I would guess winter heating is the issue. Which could be addressed with very good insulation, or a wood stove.
Of course, panels on South facing wall would do a lot compared to roof, depending on slope. Tilt the panels out from wall, and hang from eaves so not shaded if you want them to contribute in summer as well.

 

[Crash71]

It all comes down to power consumption.
I would guess winter heating is the issue. Which could be addressed with very good insulation, or a wood stove.
Of course, panels on South facing wall would do a lot compared to roof, depending on slope. Tilt the panels out from wall, and hang from eaves so not shaded if you want them to contribute in summer as well.

I live in south Texas we have an average winter temp in the 60s. Great insulation and a lot of passive solar with the windows on the build so I'm not worried about winter. It's the other 3 season that are usually above 80 degrees with a muc hotter summer.

 

[Crash71]

My main concern is knowing if it's possible to take the plug from the grid 50amp outlet and plug it into a solar-powered power center 50amp outlet and if the EG4 6000EX is my best option or if there is something else that will better fit my needs.

 

[Hedges]

Summer air conditioning - readily supplied with PV while the sun shines. If you need cooling after sunset, that requires batteries.
Insulation and preventing heat gain from the sun are key.

Some inverters may derate heavily when hot (and may not be documented.) Some like my SI 6048US have specs giving derating.

Starting an AC, you need sufficient surge capability and/or something like Micro Air Easy Start.
Typically surge is 5x motor running watts, and inverter surge capability is 2x continuous rating. Which means you can only run an AC 40% the wattage of inverter. Which may be all that the thermal derating allows anyway (if you don't air condition it.) So Easy Start could help.

Batteries will last longer if kept comfortable.

You can make 50A 120V or 240V (two of my inverters will do that), but your PV and battery won't keep up for long.
Figure out how much PV you can fit; that's all the kWh you'll have per day. figure how many kWh needed at night, that's how much battery.

 

[MisterSandals]

If I'm reading this right I need a bigger solar array, correct?

Required Total daily Solar output (Sunny)

14335.6

W-Hrs.

14335Wh / 2500W solar = 5.7h of quality solar charging

Check your solar hours here:

Solar Irradiance Calculator

www.solarelectricityhandbook.com

Required Total daily Solar output (Sunny)	14335.6	W-Hrs.
Insolation # (Equivelent hours of full sun)	5.0	Hours
Min Solar Cell Wattage	2867.1	Watts

5 hours is the thing to enter from solar irradiance site above. Figure out how much solar you need in winter (or summer if your needs are higher because of A/C). Thats a part of this learning process.

Update the solar hours and lets keep refining.

 

[Crash71]

14335Wh / 2500W solar = 5.7h of quality solar charging

Check your solar hours here:

Solar Irradiance Calculator

www.solarelectricityhandbook.com

5 hours is the thing to enter from solar irradiance site above. Figure out how much solar you need in winter (or summer if your needs are higher because of A/C). Thats a part of this learning process.

Update the solar hours and lets keep refining.

San Antonio
Average Solar Insolation figures​

Measured in kWh/m2/day onto a solar panel set at a 61° angle:
(For best year-round performance)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
3.76	4.24	4.87	5.16	5.13	5.59
Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
5.89	5.77	5.32	4.80	4.05	3.71

 

[Hedges]

Best year-round may not match your loads.

If your primary load is cooling, consider panel tilt equals latitude. Unless there is a need to tilt further north due to delay warming environment, in that case tilt to match sun's location for hottest month.

 

[Crash71]

San Antonio
Average Solar Insolation figures​

Measured in kWh/m2/day onto a solar panel set at a 76° angle:
(Optimal summer settings)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
3.37	3.95	4.76	5.28	5.46	6.07
Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
6.37	6.03	5.28	4.52	3.66	3.27

San Antonio
Average Solar Insolation figures​

Measured in kWh/m2/day onto a solar panel where the angle is adjusted each month to get optimum sunlight.

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
3.95	4.32	4.87	5.28	5.46	6.27
Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
6.37	6.05	5.32	4.85	4.23	3.99

 

[Crash71]

Would a dual-axis solar tracker be wroth the investment in that case?