Adding solar to an old on grid homestead

[UrbanHunter]

Thinking about it a little more, if you are only powering your wifi Router you may be able to address your needs with a simple UPS device. I have one for my router and it does okay. The nice thing about a UPS is it has a built in battery, charger, and automatic transfer switch: https://www.amazon.com/APC-Battery-...&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932713467616&th=1

They have about 200 watt-hours of storage, so if your load is less than 20 watts it can cover about 10 hours.
I use one for my router

I tried to use one for the wife's CPAP machine (72 watts) and it was able to work for 3 hours and died. As a temporary solution I used a 12 volt 100 Ah battery and a 300 watt inverter, which could provide coverage for 2 nights, the inverter had USB charge ports, so we could charge a phone off it too.

Her oxygen machine draws 450 watts and the unit in the picture will only cover that for 1 night (10.5 hours) before depleting the batteries.

A single circuit automatic transfer switch adds about $80 a system.

I like measuring my energy consumption using a kill-a-watt type inline meter as part of my system sizing exercise.

 

[Magpie]

Thank you for all of your thoughts - Have to admit I couldn't remember what thread I used to ask! I meant to say I can buy a solar panel for it also, but you probably saw that.
I'll look into the smaller back ups too. So difficult to find that stuff here at a decent price.

 

[UrbanHunter]

So I need to give an update (~2 year anniversary of being fully operational), my system has been working fine, but I have been increasing my loads to get the maximum utilization out of the system. It works okay, but I smoked an ANL Fuse...

This has got me to thinking that I would have been better off to go with a 48 volt system, the amperage would be reduced by 4X and would greatly reduce the size of the wires required. I would have to replace the inverter and low voltage relay controls, but it would not be as expensive as I originally thought. I could reuse all my batteries, heavy duty wires, and the charge controllers can operate on 48 volts. As for inverters, Many of the 48 volt units offer a 120/240 volt option, which would allow for some interesting opportunities.

I know hind sight is 20/20, but I wish I had a clearer plan 2 years ago...

My general observation is that for systems under 1500 watts (delivered power) 12 DC systems are okay, once you break 2000 watts you are better to plan on going with 24 or 48 volts.

This has been a hobby project and my systems' maximum output went from 200 watts, to 1000 watts, and is now at 4000 watts. That last jump requires way too much amperage (~350 amps, Max) for a 12 volt DC system to supply in a reliable manner. A 48 volt DC system could meet that demand with only an 85 Amp draw. Lesson learned. As a stop gap measure, I plan to limit my total system output to 1800 watts Max.

 

[viking]

We ran our motorhome 120 VAC 2,000 inverter/charger on 12 VDC, it was basically a test set up for going to our solar backup system, which runs on 24VDC, we bought the Magnum Energy 4,000 watt pure sine wave inverter because it could be stacked with other same type 4,000 watt inverters but as it turned out that one inverter serves all of our needs, it's also 120/240 VAC, I figured that if I ever had to run a deep well pump this type of inverter could do the job. UrbanHunter, you're really on the mark in going to a 48 volt system, even though I went to 24 volts the feed wires are very large, which equates to much more expense per foot, the prices of copper wire have really gone through the roof, just seeing the price of a 250 foot roll of 12 ga. Romex is enough to give you a heart attack.

 

[Magpie]

Well I finally got round to buying this- it was on sale, so what I was saving covered the solar panel. I plugged it initially and it charged quickly.There's tons of leads and the solar panel is huge, but has a case for storage, so thats neat. I'm setting it up in my work room for now to practice using it, seeing how long things take to charge etc.

 

[Aerindel]

Today I just added the smallest model jackery and 100 watt panel to my war wagon, these 'generators' seem like the ideal solution for small solar, compared to wiring in a permanent battery, charge controller ect.

 

[SoJer]

...these 'generators' seem like the ideal solution for small solar, compared to wiring in a permanent battery, charge controller ect.

..'Economy of Scale'...

jd

 

[Neb]

I received shipment of a solar generator today.

Limited-time deal: BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC200L with 350W Solar Panel Included, 2048Wh LiFePO4 Battery Backup w/ 4 2400W AC Outlets (3600W Power Lifting), Solar Generator for Camping, Home Use, Emergency https://a.co/d/igVPVrk

I just finished reading the manual. I am excited about getting it set-up. It has more capability that the Amazon page didn't mention. If I understand what I read I can set it up as a UPS for my critical loads... freezers, internet, furnace. I can connect it up to my transfer switch using the same cable I would use for my generator. So it is basically plug n play at this point. Installing the solar panels and running the wires aside.

If it works as hope, we will be adding the expansion batteries.

Excited!

Ben

 

[Hardcalibres]

I received shipment of a solar generator today.

Limited-time deal: BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC200L with 350W Solar Panel Included, 2048Wh LiFePO4 Battery Backup w/ 4 2400W AC Outlets (3600W Power Lifting), Solar Generator for Camping, Home Use, Emergency https://a.co/d/igVPVrk

I just finished reading the manual. I am excited about getting it set-up. It has more capability that the Amazon page didn't mention. If I understand what I read I can set it up as a UPS for my critical loads... freezers, internet, furnace. I can connect it up to my transfer switch using the same cable I would use for my generator. So it is basically plug n play at this point. Installing the solar panels and running the wires aside.

If it works as hope, we will be adding the expansion batteries.

Excited!

Ben

When you trial that plugged into your transfer switch, let us know how long it will run those loads - with and without the solar topping it up..

 

[Neb]

When you trial that plugged into your transfer switch, let us know how long it will run those loads - with and without the solar topping it up..

Solar panels have not shown up yet. It will be a while before I get those installed because I am in an arm immobilizer.

Once installed, it charged to 100% faster than I could get it registered and the mobile app installed.

I had to order an adapter to convert the tt-30p of the generator to l14-30r. The transfer switch is set up for 240 split phase from my gas generator. The solar generator produces 120v 30 amps. The transfer switch completely isolates the critical loads so shouldn't be an issue. The adapter is due tomorrow.

The app includes logging of all inputs and outputs.

Ben

 

[Neb]

I had a bit of excitement. The type that is seldom welcomed.

A soon as I plugged the transfer switch into the solar generator the circuit breaker on the service entrance tripped. I will spare you the trouble shooting but turns out the outlet was wired backwards!

So I have a refrigerator/freezer and a chest freezer running from the solar generator. Drawing about 220W.

I ordered 2 expansion batteries to get them while on sale. And as was typing, the solar panels were delivered.

Ben

 

[Neb]

I had a bit of excitement. The type that is seldom welcomed.

A soon as I plugged the transfer switch into the solar generator the circuit breaker on the service entrance tripped. I will spare you the trouble shooting but turns out the outlet was wired backwards!

So I have a refrigerator/freezer and a chest freezer running from the solar generator. Drawing about 220W.


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I ordered 2 expansion batteries to get them while on sale. And as was typing, the solar panels were delivered.

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Ben

After reading the fine print on the solar panels I learned they are " portable" and not intended for use in the rain.



So no permanent install! Bother.

I have 4 panels stashed that I will use instead.

I am quite enamored with the Bluetti app for my cell phone. I can check the history performance and status with having to run down to the basement.

I love it.

Ben