We would like to install a EG4 6500ex battery-powered system like the one described in this video:
We originally were looking into the Delta Pro, but this one looks like it would be cheaper, power longer, and more affordable to upgrade. However, the installation and connections seem to be much more complicated so I had some questions.
The sole intent of this system is to provide backup power during outages. We have occasional random outages throughout the year that last a few hours each. We had two times where trees toppled the power poles - these took about 20-24 hours for the power company to repair.
We do not plan on powering the entire house. We would only like to power some circuits (TV, computer, fridge, freezer, maybe microwave or toaster oven only if possible). We will not be powering heat/AC or anything that uses 240V (so no split phase). We want to use a manual transfer switch for this with 6-10 circuits. We have no need of an automatic transfer switch and don't want a interlock (as we don't want to power the whole house). We would switch the manual switch on to power what we need, but leave some of the circuits not connected to this switch on to give us indication of when the grid power is restored.
We do not have solar. We do not (at this time) have any intention of adding it. Maybe someday in the future we'll get some small panels but only to charge the battery. We we not be doing any time-of-day savings. This is exclusively for backup during outages.
We don't really want a natural gas generator due to cost, noise, and need. Since we've had the pole in our backyard topple over and it only took a day for them to replace the entire thing, we don't anticipate needed to run our house for days.
We would likely hire an electrician for the wiring.
I have done a lot of research to try to understand what I'm getting into but I'm still confused on a few things.
1) We will be charging this exclusively from the grid. Does this need to be wired directly to the breaker box on it's own dedicated circuit? Since the manual suggest 6-4AWG wire, I'm assuming the answer is yes. I'd prefer to plug it into an outlet like the Delta Pro, but I don't want to melt or overload anything.
2) I believe this needs a dedicated 60amp breaker to charge from the grid, correct? Is installing a standard AC breaker okay? The manual mentions AC and DC, but I think the DC breaker is only needed if charging from solar. Is this correct? Is a "chargeverter" necessary for this type of setup? Or do I only need 30amps?
3) Can I wire a generator cord to the AC Output of the 6500ex so I can plug it directly into the manual switch box? Would I just be connecting 3 wires (no red since this isn't split-phase)?
4) I've read about "neutral bonding" but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this. I've watched a video on how the manual transfer switch connects to the main panel and it seems like it's just an on/off switch between the black wire going into the circuits I want. It had one ground and one neutral going to the ground and neutral bars in the box.
When you connect the inverter to the breaker box, the black wire would go to the circuit, a green to ground bar, and a white to neutral bar.
Is this all correct? The neural bonding screw issue confuses me but most threads I've seen are discussing either split-phase or solar charging, neither of which apply to me.
5) When I'm not charging the battery (since it should last a couple months without draining too far), can I just turn off the dedicated circuit to shut off power to the inverter and turn off the battery? Or should I just turn off the battery but leave the inverter on? I don't want the battery charging all the time to prolong the life.
6) Are there any other concerns I need to be aware of or precautions I need to take?
It seems I need to just
a) Wire a manual transfer switch between the 6 circuits I want and connect the ground and neutral to the ground and neutral of my main panel.
b) Wire the the AC input of the inverter to a dedicated 60amp AC breaker in the main panel.
c) Wire the AC output of the inverter to a generator cord to plug into the manual transfer switch.
d) Connect the battery(ies) to the inverter.
e) Turn the battery and/or the inverter off and power on when I need to manually switch to backup power (or charge the battery)
I'm sorry this is so long, but I'm trying to see if this is a realistic project or if I need to spend a lot more on a Delta Pro + extra batteries. Thank you for any help you can provide.
The sole intent of this system is to provide backup power during outages. We have occasional random outages throughout the year that last a few hours each. We had two times where trees toppled the power poles - these took about 20-24 hours for the power company to repair.
We do not plan on powering the entire house. We would only like to power some circuits (TV, computer, fridge, freezer, maybe microwave or toaster oven only if possible). We will not be powering heat/AC or anything that uses 240V (so no split phase). We want to use a manual transfer switch for this with 6-10 circuits. We have no need of an automatic transfer switch and don't want a interlock (as we don't want to power the whole house). We would switch the manual switch on to power what we need, but leave some of the circuits not connected to this switch on to give us indication of when the grid power is restored.
We do not have solar. We do not (at this time) have any intention of adding it. Maybe someday in the future we'll get some small panels but only to charge the battery. We we not be doing any time-of-day savings. This is exclusively for backup during outages.
We don't really want a natural gas generator due to cost, noise, and need. Since we've had the pole in our backyard topple over and it only took a day for them to replace the entire thing, we don't anticipate needed to run our house for days.
We would likely hire an electrician for the wiring.
I have done a lot of research to try to understand what I'm getting into but I'm still confused on a few things.
1) We will be charging this exclusively from the grid. Does this need to be wired directly to the breaker box on it's own dedicated circuit? Since the manual suggest 6-4AWG wire, I'm assuming the answer is yes. I'd prefer to plug it into an outlet like the Delta Pro, but I don't want to melt or overload anything.
2) I believe this needs a dedicated 60amp breaker to charge from the grid, correct? Is installing a standard AC breaker okay? The manual mentions AC and DC, but I think the DC breaker is only needed if charging from solar. Is this correct? Is a "chargeverter" necessary for this type of setup? Or do I only need 30amps?
3) Can I wire a generator cord to the AC Output of the 6500ex so I can plug it directly into the manual switch box? Would I just be connecting 3 wires (no red since this isn't split-phase)?
4) I've read about "neutral bonding" but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this. I've watched a video on how the manual transfer switch connects to the main panel and it seems like it's just an on/off switch between the black wire going into the circuits I want. It had one ground and one neutral going to the ground and neutral bars in the box.
When you connect the inverter to the breaker box, the black wire would go to the circuit, a green to ground bar, and a white to neutral bar.
Is this all correct? The neural bonding screw issue confuses me but most threads I've seen are discussing either split-phase or solar charging, neither of which apply to me.
5) When I'm not charging the battery (since it should last a couple months without draining too far), can I just turn off the dedicated circuit to shut off power to the inverter and turn off the battery? Or should I just turn off the battery but leave the inverter on? I don't want the battery charging all the time to prolong the life.
6) Are there any other concerns I need to be aware of or precautions I need to take?
It seems I need to just
a) Wire a manual transfer switch between the 6 circuits I want and connect the ground and neutral to the ground and neutral of my main panel.
b) Wire the the AC input of the inverter to a dedicated 60amp AC breaker in the main panel.
c) Wire the AC output of the inverter to a generator cord to plug into the manual transfer switch.
d) Connect the battery(ies) to the inverter.
e) Turn the battery and/or the inverter off and power on when I need to manually switch to backup power (or charge the battery)
I'm sorry this is so long, but I'm trying to see if this is a realistic project or if I need to spend a lot more on a Delta Pro + extra batteries. Thank you for any help you can provide.