Casper042
New Member
So this may be genius or completely crazy, not sure as I'm somewhat new.
I already have Solar from a Solar Lease I somewhat inherited (had to take over lease to buy this house).
But I would like to add more as I still have a decent power bill from the grid.
Also, I have a 200A main panel that I don't want to upgrade/change at the moment because 400A panels (what my sparky says I should be at for a house my size) are just stupid expensive and some models have huge wait times.
So this combo means I don't have much room if I am to follow the 20% oversize rule on the Main Panel Bus Bar.
I think the existing solar is around 7-8KW which is 30A out of my potential 40A oversize.
So here comes the crazy idea.
Get an All-in-one similar to the EG4 6500EX
Mount it near my outside AC Compressor
Run the LOAD to the AC Compressor
Run the Grid Tie using the cables that used to go to the AC Compressor
Run a string of additional panels on the patio roof which is right above this area.
Optionally, look into batteries as well.
The idea being that there would be 3 modes selected somewhat dynamically.
1) Solar PV Input but zero load from the AC = Solar power back feeds into main panel and offsets my power bill.
Already have solar so proper metering and such is in place already.
Would set a max backfeed to grid rate to match the derated breaker size on the main panel (24A @ 240).
20% rule not impacted since this breaker is already accounted for as part of my overall bus bar load.
2) Solar PV Input WITH load from the AC = SolarPV/Grid mix in the 6500EX to power the AC Compressor.
Assuming the 6500EX or similar can handle it, this should simply reduce the strain on my grid power, no impact on 20% rule.
I would also add a Soft Start to the AC Compressor to reduce the startup strain.
3) No Solar PV (Evenings) WITH load from the AC = 6500EX/similar simply runs in bypass mode and pulls the needed power from the Grid via existing cabling back to main panel.
This is effectively how it works today, so should be no impact again to the Main panel and 20% rule.
The only thing I don't know is does a 6500EX (or again similar) support Split Phase 240 from a single unit, or do you end up needing 2 units with the little cable I see on some installs to keep them out of phase with each other.
The AC Compressor I think (need to double check) has a 30A 240V Split breaker currently.
For the panels themselves, I would likely start as buying used panels to keep the cost down.
I did see in a video somewhere I might need to add a backfeed protection kit to the 30A 240 Breaker, in order to make sure it's not accidental removed while backfeed is live and also cover the screws again to prevent shock.
Would also add labels to it to indicate it's got backfed solar as well.
The idea being other than the cost of the All-in-one, and used panels, I wouldn't need to spend almost any money on Panel changes/upgrades and a negligible amount on wiring as well.
Feedback?
I already have Solar from a Solar Lease I somewhat inherited (had to take over lease to buy this house).
But I would like to add more as I still have a decent power bill from the grid.
Also, I have a 200A main panel that I don't want to upgrade/change at the moment because 400A panels (what my sparky says I should be at for a house my size) are just stupid expensive and some models have huge wait times.
So this combo means I don't have much room if I am to follow the 20% oversize rule on the Main Panel Bus Bar.
I think the existing solar is around 7-8KW which is 30A out of my potential 40A oversize.
So here comes the crazy idea.
Get an All-in-one similar to the EG4 6500EX
Mount it near my outside AC Compressor
Run the LOAD to the AC Compressor
Run the Grid Tie using the cables that used to go to the AC Compressor
Run a string of additional panels on the patio roof which is right above this area.
Optionally, look into batteries as well.
The idea being that there would be 3 modes selected somewhat dynamically.
1) Solar PV Input but zero load from the AC = Solar power back feeds into main panel and offsets my power bill.
Already have solar so proper metering and such is in place already.
Would set a max backfeed to grid rate to match the derated breaker size on the main panel (24A @ 240).
20% rule not impacted since this breaker is already accounted for as part of my overall bus bar load.
2) Solar PV Input WITH load from the AC = SolarPV/Grid mix in the 6500EX to power the AC Compressor.
Assuming the 6500EX or similar can handle it, this should simply reduce the strain on my grid power, no impact on 20% rule.
I would also add a Soft Start to the AC Compressor to reduce the startup strain.
3) No Solar PV (Evenings) WITH load from the AC = 6500EX/similar simply runs in bypass mode and pulls the needed power from the Grid via existing cabling back to main panel.
This is effectively how it works today, so should be no impact again to the Main panel and 20% rule.
The only thing I don't know is does a 6500EX (or again similar) support Split Phase 240 from a single unit, or do you end up needing 2 units with the little cable I see on some installs to keep them out of phase with each other.
The AC Compressor I think (need to double check) has a 30A 240V Split breaker currently.
For the panels themselves, I would likely start as buying used panels to keep the cost down.
I did see in a video somewhere I might need to add a backfeed protection kit to the 30A 240 Breaker, in order to make sure it's not accidental removed while backfeed is live and also cover the screws again to prevent shock.
Would also add labels to it to indicate it's got backfed solar as well.
The idea being other than the cost of the All-in-one, and used panels, I wouldn't need to spend almost any money on Panel changes/upgrades and a negligible amount on wiring as well.
Feedback?
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