Watts Happening
I call it like I see it.
- Joined
- May 3, 2022
- Messages
- 802
I’ve got a 1.6kw array on my contractor trailer that spends most of its time parked, very little consumption. It’s not much but generally produces about 10kWh/day in the summer, I’d rather use it than lose it.
I’ve got a Sol-Ark 15k in the house. What’s the most elegant solution to use excess power from outside, inside? This should apply to the EG4 18Kpv as well as any other modern all in one system I’d expect.
Trailer consists of a 150/35 charge controller and single Multiplus-II 48/3000. Initially I thought I could use the AC output as an input to the Sol-Ark and act like it was AC coupling, the problem is I’m only outputting 120v and these inverters want a 120/240 configuration to accept the power.
My current setup is AC output via extension cord through a Kasa smart switch running on a customizable schedule then plugged into an EG4 Chargeverter. This setup works fine, but the inefficiency annoys me, too many DC-AC-DC-AC conversions.
I also considered some form of A/B switch for the panels and connect them to the input of the Sol-Ark but they don’t produce enough voltage so that’s out (and if I configured them 4s they would create too much voltage for the Victron 150/35).
I *think* I’m doing the best I can given the equipment, but I wonder if anyone has any brilliant ideas.
Also, I really like the Chargeverter but damn it would be nice if it had a way to remotely trigger it via a NONC contact that EG4, Victron and Sol-Ark (and I’m sure others) all have. Then the inverter could call on the chargeverter to turn on and off based on logic like SOC, that’d be icing on the cake.
I’ve got a Sol-Ark 15k in the house. What’s the most elegant solution to use excess power from outside, inside? This should apply to the EG4 18Kpv as well as any other modern all in one system I’d expect.
Trailer consists of a 150/35 charge controller and single Multiplus-II 48/3000. Initially I thought I could use the AC output as an input to the Sol-Ark and act like it was AC coupling, the problem is I’m only outputting 120v and these inverters want a 120/240 configuration to accept the power.
My current setup is AC output via extension cord through a Kasa smart switch running on a customizable schedule then plugged into an EG4 Chargeverter. This setup works fine, but the inefficiency annoys me, too many DC-AC-DC-AC conversions.
I also considered some form of A/B switch for the panels and connect them to the input of the Sol-Ark but they don’t produce enough voltage so that’s out (and if I configured them 4s they would create too much voltage for the Victron 150/35).
I *think* I’m doing the best I can given the equipment, but I wonder if anyone has any brilliant ideas.
Also, I really like the Chargeverter but damn it would be nice if it had a way to remotely trigger it via a NONC contact that EG4, Victron and Sol-Ark (and I’m sure others) all have. Then the inverter could call on the chargeverter to turn on and off based on logic like SOC, that’d be icing on the cake.