Very nice install,
@mstud21 .
@richard cabesa it was a tire when the trailer had only a single axle. I think what happened is that I pulled up beside a curb and promptly abraded the tire wall. Within two miles of that stop the tire blew. I think I'm making every mistake possible as I learn this stuff.
Update on my build.
The mini-split is now (mostly) installed. I had two jobs for Adam's Mobile Air (near Dallas, TX): to install the a/c unit and to diagnose the issue I was having with my
Webasto heater. They corrected the installation of the Webasto and it's been working perfectly the past few nights. He couldn't adjust it for altitude so that's something for the future.
The 12kW unit evaporator unit is a full 10" wider than the 9kW unit and thus I had to sacrifice my cabinet just like
@Generis did in his build. Bummer but couldn't be helped since I'm short on time (the 9kW unit would have fit right above the door).
We also added support to the shelf to take some load off the welds at the bumper. I find out tomorrow if I've screwed myself with tight left turns because of the generator box on my trailer tongue.
I also paid a visit to Signature Solar (Friday). They are experiencing an explosion in business. Good for them.
The good news is that they think I'll have my battery "soon" (before Christmas). The bad news is that their Growatt equipment may not work for me. I have two places I can put the equipment, under the bed and in the outside compartment. I want to keep it under the bed where it will stay warmer (even though I've already bought a
warming pad I can turn on when visiting colder locations to do some skiing).
However, the Growatt does not have a remote control or control software on the phone (just monitoring); it's not practical to keep lifting the mattress just to make adjustments or turn it on and off. My current Giandel has a handy remote that's mounted in a convenient location.
So I'm looking at different equipment. The nice thing about the Growatt was it saved some space by being a combined inverter and MPPT charge controller. But it wasn't a hybrid inverter.
Updated list of requirements:
Inverter/Charge controller
• 120V/240V inverter with more than 4kW output to run the microwave and a/c unit
• MPPT charge controller
• at least a basic remote for on/off
• pull from solar and the battery simultaneously (in case a cloud covers the panels i.e. hybrid)
• charge battery when there is extra juice
Converter/charger:
• 120V to 48V (
already spec'd)
Transformer:
• 48V to 12V (
already spec'd)
Solar:
• 4 440W panels (Signature Solar has
some bifacials in stock)
• single axis actuators to lift panels (
already spec'd)
Battery:
• 48V LiPo (
should arrive soon)
Here are the contenders so far:
SigmaMax
Hybrid Solar Power Inverter (6000W, 18000W Peak) with 80A MPPT Charger Controller & LCD Display – Multi Functional Pure Sine Wave Hybrid Inverter for Home & Commercial Use - Split Phase 240VAC 48VDC ($1399)
• from what I can see, the output is just 240V so I would need
a transformer to get 120V
• the input also is 240V; don't really want two transformers for when I'm plugged into shore power/a generator
Sigineer Power 6000W Solar Inverter,Built-in 80A MPPT Solar Charge Controller,48Vdc and 240Vac Input to 120V 240V AC Split Phase Pure Sine Wave Output,for 48 Volt Off-Grid Solar System ($1699)
• seems to have almost everything I want and has an optional remote control
• 6,000 watts
• 48V DC
• Output is 120V/240V AC split phase pure sine wave inverter
• Input is 240V so I would need the transformer, above
• 80A MPPT solar charge controller
• 60A AC to DC battery charger and automatic transfer switch
• remote monitoring and control by WI-FI/GPRS (included)
• AC/Battery/PV priority selector, 4 charging modes, 3 output power priorities
The con is:
• idle consumption is 80 watts; at least the Power Saver Mode is just 20 watts
As hybrids, both units work like this and the priority can be set:
It appears the Sigineer is closest to what I need.