Left Over RV Electrical Gear ... Can I Use It For A Battery Backup At Home?

[aaron_c]

First this isn't strictly about solar--it's about a system that may or may not one day have some solar attached to it.

I bought a bunch of stuff for a solar system for a camper, but in the end I didn't need to hook it all up and was too sick to do so anyhow. So I've got a lot of hardware, including a fairly spendy Samlex Inverter / Charger at 24V 2200W. My parents have expressed interest in having a battery backup for their home so that when the power goes out they can still run the furnace and maybe a few other things (dehumidifier, laptop, et).

My question is: Will the Samlex Inverter / Charger EVO2224 do that? Would a professional be able to hook it up to the home's wiring such that it would be able to supply power when the grid goes down briefly? Or is hooking it to the home's wiring just not something that will work at all?

I suspect there will be better ways to do battery backup systems, but if this is at all doable with a bit of extra effort it will be worth it to us, since I'll be taking quite the loss if I sell this hardware...

Thanks!

 

[MisterSandals]

Would a professional be able to hook it up to the home's wiring such that it would be able to supply power when the grid goes down briefly?

Yes but it might cost more than it is “worth”.

I would consider making an “extension cord ready” backup system. If/when the power goes out, you plug in your fridge or whatever you want to power.

 

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Set up the inverter on a rolling cart with batteries, give it an AC input cord and and AC output cord, and run extension cords from the fridge, laptop, etc. to it in the event of an outage. Not worth the cost to have something like that installed permanently, IMO.

Will's first comment offers some additional ideas for smaller setups.

 

[aaron_c]

Ah ok. So it can't be integrated it with the home's grid-tied wiring. Is that right?

 

[chrisski]

Ah ok. So it can't be integrated it with the home's grid-tied wiring. Is that right?

No.

You won't get a permit for a grid tied home made battery. You could sneak it in, I don't recommend that.

Your battery would not be UL9540 or UL9540A listed. Those are the battery standards that describe things like spacing and max kWh per battery.

Perhaps you are living somewhere with no AHJ or POCO standards. Don't know where that is.

 

[Q-Dog]

Build your power cart or hang the inverter on the wall and plug it into something like this on the furnace when you lose power.

The Original EZ GENERATOR TRANSFER SWITCH - UL / CSA Approved - USA Made - 12OV | eBay

UL & CSA STANDARD by ETL on the entire product - not just parts (UL1008 & CSA C22.2 #178). The ORIGINAL EZ GENERATOR SWITCH. We own the patent and trademark. Our product has a label required for installation in the USA and Canada, attached for your local inspector, so installation is not an issue.

www.ebay.com

 

[Rednecktek]

Ah ok. So it can't be integrated it with the home's grid-tied wiring. Is that right?

Theoretically you could get an interlocked generator input wired into your house with a critical loads panel feeding the fridge and such, then make a cart with your Samlex stuff and call it a "portable generator" system...

But at 2200w that would be a huge expense in wiring and panels and not worth the hassle.

Solar cart & extension cords is the way to go.