Wits' End
Old guy, wanting to learn new tricks.
I am enjoying this forum, I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this. I'll ask my questions and then some TLDR, if you feel background would help.
We live in rural NE Minnesota, about an hour northeast of Duluth. Lake County, population ~10,000. Temperatures lately from -40°F-100°F[-40°C-38°C {233K-311K}].
I need about 4KWH system, totally off-grid, no likely-hood of future tie-in. I don't want to spend more money than I need to. However I want a good reliable system that will never fail , be expandable when needed, etc. etc. I've been thinking Victron or Outback. SMA seems a bit high $ for comparable specs. Schneider more grid oriented. That is my basic request for information. I have seen this-Best Brands of inverters & chargers. As well as lots of browsing around the forum, the internet in general, and 30years of electronics interest.
I would like a cohesive system. I am thinking separate components, but am open to discussion/argument for an all-in one. Concerns for field service.
I am thinking of two 3K or 4K systems either side by side, not really clear on the set-up of duplicate systems with one battery and one solar panel bank. I believe one 6kWH system would do us, again guidance please. Our plan is to have more battery than needed, fill-up with generator as needed.
We run with a 2KW genny now. Planning on adding a "normal small" refrigerator, maybe a chest freezer, thus the larger 'needed' load.
It seems like the electronics are most likely to fail, so extra money there is worthwhile. Spending money on Grid-Tie features seems like I should avoid, but most systems have that built in? Any that don't? I assume Inverter/Charger & Solar Charger. Unless Inverter, AC Charger, Solar Charger? Any other components? Maybe a 48V to 12V DC converter for some inverter downtime?
Solar Panels
I have a 6x12 foot [1.8 x 3.7 M] pole mounted homebrewed, welded, 2"[5CM] square tube, rack, that is a little oversized for 4 panels, I am thinking of 8 panels (2x4) or 9?(3x3) on angle iron, or aluminum [aluminium] solar brackets-Any thoughts?
Bi-Facial 400W+ as available panels--Any thoughts
Batteries
I was thinking of Big Battery 48V units, however, with the price of the Gyll 48V 5KWH packs I may go for 3 or 4 of those. Any thoughts?
Thoughts on just two stacks of Gyll batteries? No racking? or wood racking/shelves? I've mentioned elsewhere, concerns for warmth, mounting batteries above electronics, to harvest heat. Probably still some heat pads.
TLDR WARNING
My family has been off-grid for 25+ years.
We started charging a couple deep-cycle batteries in town, hauling 15 miles. Ever set a stainless pail on the 12V battery that was set by the door, for "a Minute"? ?
We graduated to a 100W panel and a deep cycle to run a radio/cd/cassette, and a ham radio.
Then a few years with golf cart batteries/2@350W panels to run radio/radio/laptop/a few lights/fans.
For the past 6+ years we've been running with a gas generator 2-2300 W. Generally getting 2 years of service, 7 days a week 4-8 hours a day.
As my wife and I hit 60 years old, each not combined, and we are down to 5 'children' at home, we are reorganizing the way we have been doing things. Thus the solid solar system. Maybe adding some propane heat, rather than all wood. The option of the "Double" system, 240V, for the possibility of a heat pump or AC for our "hot days". Please ask questions! Please give input!
We live in rural NE Minnesota, about an hour northeast of Duluth. Lake County, population ~10,000. Temperatures lately from -40°F-100°F[-40°C-38°C {233K-311K}].
I need about 4KWH system, totally off-grid, no likely-hood of future tie-in. I don't want to spend more money than I need to. However I want a good reliable system that will never fail , be expandable when needed, etc. etc. I've been thinking Victron or Outback. SMA seems a bit high $ for comparable specs. Schneider more grid oriented. That is my basic request for information. I have seen this-Best Brands of inverters & chargers. As well as lots of browsing around the forum, the internet in general, and 30years of electronics interest.
I would like a cohesive system. I am thinking separate components, but am open to discussion/argument for an all-in one. Concerns for field service.
I am thinking of two 3K or 4K systems either side by side, not really clear on the set-up of duplicate systems with one battery and one solar panel bank. I believe one 6kWH system would do us, again guidance please. Our plan is to have more battery than needed, fill-up with generator as needed.
We run with a 2KW genny now. Planning on adding a "normal small" refrigerator, maybe a chest freezer, thus the larger 'needed' load.
It seems like the electronics are most likely to fail, so extra money there is worthwhile. Spending money on Grid-Tie features seems like I should avoid, but most systems have that built in? Any that don't? I assume Inverter/Charger & Solar Charger. Unless Inverter, AC Charger, Solar Charger? Any other components? Maybe a 48V to 12V DC converter for some inverter downtime?
Solar Panels
I have a 6x12 foot [1.8 x 3.7 M] pole mounted homebrewed, welded, 2"[5CM] square tube, rack, that is a little oversized for 4 panels, I am thinking of 8 panels (2x4) or 9?(3x3) on angle iron, or aluminum [aluminium] solar brackets-Any thoughts?
Bi-Facial 400W+ as available panels--Any thoughts
Batteries
I was thinking of Big Battery 48V units, however, with the price of the Gyll 48V 5KWH packs I may go for 3 or 4 of those. Any thoughts?
Thoughts on just two stacks of Gyll batteries? No racking? or wood racking/shelves? I've mentioned elsewhere, concerns for warmth, mounting batteries above electronics, to harvest heat. Probably still some heat pads.
TLDR WARNING
My family has been off-grid for 25+ years.
We started charging a couple deep-cycle batteries in town, hauling 15 miles. Ever set a stainless pail on the 12V battery that was set by the door, for "a Minute"? ?
We graduated to a 100W panel and a deep cycle to run a radio/cd/cassette, and a ham radio.
Then a few years with golf cart batteries/2@350W panels to run radio/radio/laptop/a few lights/fans.
For the past 6+ years we've been running with a gas generator 2-2300 W. Generally getting 2 years of service, 7 days a week 4-8 hours a day.
As my wife and I hit 60 years old, each not combined, and we are down to 5 'children' at home, we are reorganizing the way we have been doing things. Thus the solid solar system. Maybe adding some propane heat, rather than all wood. The option of the "Double" system, 240V, for the possibility of a heat pump or AC for our "hot days". Please ask questions! Please give input!