For my system, I have some panels tied to a PowMr all-in-one (I feel bad about the PowMr. Please don't judge.) There is just enough battery to say that I have battery, and then there is input from the grid. I have the output tied to a breaker box that runs a few house circuits. These circuits run some lights, a TV, a few computers, and a small cube freezer. All told, about 25% of the AIO's output.
I'm purposely being vague about the component sizing, because it doesn't really matter and I don't want the conversation straying in that direction. I've been running the system for a year, with the figure of merit being the reduction in my light bill. I have been successful in reaching a reduction that would result in a two-year payoff. That is, until my batteries died.
Yes. I used lead-acid batteries. UPS rated AGM batteries. I set the AIO to SOL priority, which will use solar to power the output and top the batteries off, and then switch over to using them when the solar isn't enough. This results in continuously filling the batteries up then sucking them down. Now, they don't hold a charge, so the load will suck them down in seconds and switch back over to drawing from the grid. To stop the distracting switchovers, I've had to set the AIO to UTI (utility?) mode, so it is basically passing grid power through, ignoring the solar power. (Except, we did have the grid drop out today due to thunderstorms, and the PV picked up the slack and kept everything running. That was a plus.)
I've now killed $500 worth of batteries. I want to pull the trigger on $650 worth of LiFePo4 as replacement, but I'm never going to reach a payoff doing it this way. No point in buying more batteries if the AIO is going to do the same thing to them.
How can I configure the AIO to draw power from the panels when available, the grid as a second option, and the batteries only as a last resort? The way the system is now, it is as if it was designed to destroy batteries.
I'm purposely being vague about the component sizing, because it doesn't really matter and I don't want the conversation straying in that direction. I've been running the system for a year, with the figure of merit being the reduction in my light bill. I have been successful in reaching a reduction that would result in a two-year payoff. That is, until my batteries died.
Yes. I used lead-acid batteries. UPS rated AGM batteries. I set the AIO to SOL priority, which will use solar to power the output and top the batteries off, and then switch over to using them when the solar isn't enough. This results in continuously filling the batteries up then sucking them down. Now, they don't hold a charge, so the load will suck them down in seconds and switch back over to drawing from the grid. To stop the distracting switchovers, I've had to set the AIO to UTI (utility?) mode, so it is basically passing grid power through, ignoring the solar power. (Except, we did have the grid drop out today due to thunderstorms, and the PV picked up the slack and kept everything running. That was a plus.)
I've now killed $500 worth of batteries. I want to pull the trigger on $650 worth of LiFePo4 as replacement, but I'm never going to reach a payoff doing it this way. No point in buying more batteries if the AIO is going to do the same thing to them.
How can I configure the AIO to draw power from the panels when available, the grid as a second option, and the batteries only as a last resort? The way the system is now, it is as if it was designed to destroy batteries.
