"Disposable" off grid system?

[Catmandu]

I was unsure where to post this, finally settled on here in "general."

We are rebuilding a home on an island, and we are there part time. There is grid power, but it is sketchy. They have trouble figuring out how to install their new FEMA provided generators, how to keep enough fuel around to make electricity, how to figure out why one feeder is dead, etc. So we not only have random scheduled blackouts, we often lose power for no known reason. To date, we have been using a small Kohler gas powered inverter generator to keep us going, swapping extension cords to the various loads as required.

We have a 400 sqft apartment that we live in part time during the rebuild. 21 cuft fridge, 110v water pump, 110v hot water heater, microwave, TV, Internet, LED lights, etc. I have a clamp on meter that I am taking down next week to get specific loads. There is a 240V line to the main electrical panel with manual transfer switch to a concrete enclosed storage room (fire proof) that was previously used for a generator.

When the rebuild is complete, to include the roof, we will do a proper whole-home grid-tied solar system. But in the interim, is there an inverter/battery solution I could do for around $5k that could be charged by the grid and then used for up to 12 hours when the grid goes goofy? I say disposable because I am not sure I could get anything back from an interim solution by trying to sell it to someone on the island.

Thanks!

 

[Madcodger]

Look at the EG4 line. A 6000XP and one indoor battery (280AHj are in your price neighborhood, at least, although shipping may be the issue, at least for the battery.

 

[shvm]

But in the interim, is there an inverter/battery solution I could do for around $5k that could be charged by the grid and then used for up to 12 hours when the grid goes goofy?

An EG4 6000XP would fill that role in a pinch.
You do not need Solar, just buy or DIY a battery and you'll be good to go.

 

[Skypower]

I agree with the others.
It’s not wasted money since it’s expandable as needed. There are package deals so look around. I would recommend at least 280ah battery so you don’t have too much voltage sag under load. One 100ah rack mount won’t do. Here’s a quick search, I don’t know the dealer https://solarsovereign.com/products/eg4-wallmount-battery-6000xp-inverter-bundle-280ah

 

[timselectric]

While the 6kxp is expandable for future.
It won't fit your future grid-tied system plans, because it's an off grid AIO.

 

[Skypower]

While the 6kxp is expandable for future.
It won't fit your future grid-tied system plans, because it's an off grid AIO.

True, but the poco seems so rudimentary that I’d be surprised if the meters work if they even have them.

 

[wildbillpdx]

You might want to consider a portable power station (Jackery, Bluetti, etc.) They can charge from grid or portable solar panels. They are portable and expandable. They don't require all the installation of the EG4 line but can probably provide the power you need in the $5k price range, especially if you purchase two (like the Jackery 2000/3000 Plus line) and combine them for 240v.

 

[timselectric]

True, but the poco seems so rudimentary that I’d be surprised if the meters work if they even have them.

I don't understand what you mean.
They are planning to end up with a grid-tied system.
I was pointing out that the off grid AIO wouldn't be useful in that final plan.
So, it could be wasted money for just a temporary setup.

 

[Madcodger]

While the 6kxp is expandable for future.
It won't fit your future grid-tied system plans, because it's an off grid AIO.

This is an excellent point. However, I think it rekindles a discussion of what people are meaning when they say “grid-tied”. To most of us here that often means “net-metered”. The 6000XP won’t do that, of course. But for a person living in an area where utility power isn’t very good (which seems to be the case for the OP) I would personally consider a grid-CONNECTED 6000XP that just uses the grid as just a convenient backup “generator” for recharging batteries, with the inverter and batteries supplying the household loads. It would work fine, be inexpensive, and generally shield the household from the effects of lousy utility power. Bottom line: We should all probably ask, “How do you intend to use the grid, if and when you have it?”. Of course, the one thing to overcome is that this would basically require a chargeverter to avoid current passing through the 6000XP to supply loads, and I think EG4 still doesn’t support that, for reasons that still don’t make sense to me.

 

[timselectric]

This is an excellent point. However, I think it rekindles a discussion of what people are meaning when they say “grid-tied”.

I can't guess what people are thinking.
I can only respond to what they actually say.

 

[DIYrich]

I can't guess what people are thinking.
I can only respond to what they actually say.

If the grid is that unreliable, I wouldn't worry about building a system that could export excess to the grid. Think of the utility as CA's NEM3.

 

[timselectric]

If the grid is that unreliable, I wouldn't worry about building a system that could export excess to the grid. Think of the utility as CA's NEM3.

I wouldn't install a grid-tied system, even with reliable grid power.
But that's just my personal choice.

 

[Recovering EE]

EG4 6000XP, 14.3kWh EG4 WallMount, EG4 Chargeverter.

I added the Chargeverter, because it can be hooked to a relatively unregulated grid or a cheap generator, and be directly connected to and charge the WallMount battery when it's providing power.

Add PV later, as funding permits, for longer-lasting (or continuous off-grid) backup.

 

[dougbert]

EG4 6000XP, 14.3kWh EG4 WallMount, EG4 Chargeverter.

I added the Chargeverter, because it can be hooked to a relatively unregulated grid or a cheap generator, and be directly connected to and charge the WallMount battery when it's providing power.

Add PV later, as funding permits, for longer-lasting (or continuous off-grid) backup.

I too would do this and make a UPS system with the ability to grow later, with more 6000XPs and batteries. Not wasted then either

another inverter option is the certified hybrid $2200 NHX-10kw, and still use it later as well

NHX-10kW – Split Phase 120V / 240V , Outdoor rated, grid Interactive, UL Listed, 4 PV Inputs to 500V, and much more! Promotion – while stocks last – Watts247 Wholesale

watts247.com

 

[Catmandu]

Just to clarify, I did indeed mean Grid-tied. But perhaps that is folly, as the good deal net metering is no longer available (now .43 buy, .17 sell), permits would have to be pulled, and apparently a one year wait for the POCO to inspect the installation to start net metering. I will start down the path of DIY grid connected for the apartment and see what happens down the road for the whole house. Thank you.

 

[Catmandu]

To close the loop on this should someone stumble on it in a search:

I put forth the issue to a couple of vendors. Current Connected was the most timely and responsive. Their suggestion was to bump up to an EG4 12kPV and an EG4 PowerPro battery given their experience in the last year. After looking at it, there was a strong appeal to having sealed outdoor units to guard against the Sahara dust and salt air that is an every day concern on our island. And there is a good chance I can use them for the eventual whole house solution, and not have to treat them as disposable.

I ordered this week, asking CC to include everything they thought I might need for a complete installation, since I can’t just pop over to a supply house for wire lugs, etc. I hope to get things off the boat next month, and then install stuff in December. Standby for questions!

 

[Recovering EE]

To close the loop on this should someone stumble on it in a search:

I put forth the issue to a couple of vendors. Current Connected was most the most timely and responsive. Their suggestion was to bump up to an EG4 12kPV and an EG4 PowerPro battery given their experience in the last year. After looking at it, there was a strong appeal to having sealed outdoor units to guard against the Sahara dust and salt air that is an everything day concern on our island. And there is a good chance I can use them for the eventual whole house solution, and not have to treat them as disposable.

I ordered this week, asking CC to include everything they thought I might need for a complete installation, since I can’t just pop over to a supply house for wire lugs, etc. I hope to get things off the boat next month, and then install stuff in December. Standby for questions!

I've had a 6000XP and two AllWeather WallMounts for a few months now. They've been great. Got mine from SS, but same thing.

Be prepared. The WallMounts are BEASTS! I installed my two by myself (I'm 68), but it required me to become re-acquainted with Archimedes seminal work.

 

[TM48]

I've had a 6000XP and two AllWeather WallMounts for a few months now. They've been great. Got mine from SS, but same thing.

Be prepared. The WallMounts are BEASTS! I installed my two by myself (I'm 68), but it required me to become re-acquainted with Archimedes seminal work.

I got you beat. I'm 70 and I installed three of them. (I cheated; used a tractor with forks)