WorldwideDave
Solar Enthusiast
Poolside Savings and Sustainability Project
My goal: Run a motor 8+ hours a day. I have:
I ran this setup today for the first time. Started at 1:37 PM, Ended at 4:02 PM.
The inverter started beeping, which according to the manual means it was low voltage. My meter was showing between 11.2 and 11.0. I unplugged the pool pump and beeping stopped.
Total run time was 2:35...just over 2.5 hours.
Soon an Intermatic timer for 120v connected directly to the inverter's posts instead of the GFCI outlet. That way I can tell the motor to run only after 11 AM when the sun is on the panels is what I was thinking. Is this a good plan, or should I run the pump at a time sun is NOT on the panels?
My panels don't ever come close to 300 W. Most I've ever gotten was about 130 W. Usually 60 W max during the day.
I believe I may need more battery, and also more panels. More panels = larger solar charge controller.
Of course I want to go to 48v. This is an outdoor setup. Either way, I know I need more and better panels.
To enhance what I have, what should I for panels? If I need more battery, how many watt hours or amp hours should my goal be for JUST this load?
I want to avoid the beeping from Renogy Inverter. I saw Victron has a smart battery monitor. Looks like it cuts off power to a load at a voltage you specify. I think my inverter, with its 2/0 wires (requires just 1 gauge) would be too large for the Victron. Thoughts on this approach?
Thank you all so much for reading!
My goal: Run a motor 8+ hours a day. I have:
- a total of 300 W in solar panels (PV) in Los Angeles.
- a 20A solar charge controller (SCC).
- a 2560 Watt Hour, 12.8V, 200 AH CHINS battery with no bluetooth/visible BMS.
- a 2000W Renogy Pure Sine Wave inverter connected to chins with 2/0 gauge THHN wire
- 2 shunts with meters - one between solar panels and the other between SCC and battery.
- A 1,000 watt A/C motor plugged into the inverter. It is a 1/2 HP single-speed pool pump.
I ran this setup today for the first time. Started at 1:37 PM, Ended at 4:02 PM.
The inverter started beeping, which according to the manual means it was low voltage. My meter was showing between 11.2 and 11.0. I unplugged the pool pump and beeping stopped.
Total run time was 2:35...just over 2.5 hours.
Soon an Intermatic timer for 120v connected directly to the inverter's posts instead of the GFCI outlet. That way I can tell the motor to run only after 11 AM when the sun is on the panels is what I was thinking. Is this a good plan, or should I run the pump at a time sun is NOT on the panels?
My panels don't ever come close to 300 W. Most I've ever gotten was about 130 W. Usually 60 W max during the day.
I believe I may need more battery, and also more panels. More panels = larger solar charge controller.
Of course I want to go to 48v. This is an outdoor setup. Either way, I know I need more and better panels.
To enhance what I have, what should I for panels? If I need more battery, how many watt hours or amp hours should my goal be for JUST this load?
I want to avoid the beeping from Renogy Inverter. I saw Victron has a smart battery monitor. Looks like it cuts off power to a load at a voltage you specify. I think my inverter, with its 2/0 wires (requires just 1 gauge) would be too large for the Victron. Thoughts on this approach?
Thank you all so much for reading!