Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

I'll just say I hope there are manufacturers of the equipment we are using who are diligently reading our conversations here.  They must know how us Beta-testers (AKA: installers) are fairing with their shining new versions of the stuff we install and become married to a positive outcome for

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

There are two different products. The so-called 5/8kW is the one that can’t do split phase. 5 kW @120V or 8 kW @240VThe pure 8kW may be able to do split-phase but it’s a different product Tom McCalmontSent from my iPhoneOn May 4, 2024, at 6:20 PM, Jay wrote:I wanted to follow up on this thread. 

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

I wanted to follow up on this thread. According to the sol Ark website. The US 8 kw is rated at 120/240. Which I’ve always thought mean 3 wire. L1,L2,N. The US 5kw is 120v only. L1, N Do I have this correct?JayOn May 4, 2024, at 9:15 AM, Tom McCalmont via RE-wrenches wrote:It does not do

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

It does not do split-phase. You either configure it for 120V or 240V, both single-phase (no neutral). > On May 4, 2024, at 6:45 AM, Dana Orzel wrote: > > & from what I was told this week split you only get 1/2 the power per leg? > Please clarify if different > >

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

& from what I was told this week split you only get 1/2 the power per leg? Please clarify if different _ Dana OrzelGREAT SOLAR WORKS! C - 208.721.7003 E - d...@solarwork.com W - www.

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Maybe the new 5kw 120v unit is the 8kw at 120v?JayOn May 3, 2024, at 4:22 PM, Tom McCalmont via RE-wrenches wrote:David is correct.  We have some experience with Sol-Ark’s inverter, and it’s a good product.  However, be aware that you can configure it either as a 120V inverter with a max. output

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

David is correct. We have some experience with Sol-Ark’s inverter, and it’s a good product. However, be aware that you can configure it either as a 120V inverter with a max. output of about 5 kW or as a 240V inverter with a max. output of about 8 kW. However, it does NOT do split-phase,

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

I think SolArk makes an 8K 120V-only version David On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 3:13 PM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches < re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote: > For this application I was originally thinking about a 48V inverter with > 120V output, but there are not many options in the size

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

For this application I was originally thinking about a 48V inverter with 120V output, but there are not many options in the size range I was considering. It hit me that I could potentially get a 120/240V split-phase inverter and run the DC converter from one leg and the 120V loads from the other

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

John - much better to start a new thread on this so the small wind turbine tag is seen. I'm interested too, and I have not seen much new info on the small wind manufacturer topic here for a few months. Dan Fink Owner, Buckville Energy Consulting LLC IREC Certified Instructor for PV and Small Wind

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

John, I bought a Braun Antartis 2.5 kw wind turbine in 2019 to replace an old ARE 2.5 kw turbine. The Braun has worked well for the last 5 years. I had to import it from Germany. The old ARE generated more energy, but the Braun is quieter and seems more reliable.

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Shifting the small off grid thread a little, I'm trying to find replacement wind turbines for the Bergey XL.1 in the 1-2 kw range that is quiet and the blades don't blow off. Bergey is suggesting Bornay 1kw. Does anyone have first hand knowledge about this turbine or the manufacturer. I am

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

John; I had quite a few Trace DR series in the field back in the day, but only one left alive today, fortunately in my guest cabin and not at a client's house. They had a pretty OK waveform for a modified square wave inverter, but some modern appliances were just a no-go with a DR, including some

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

I have a new client wanting to upgrade an old system with DR inverter, 4 golf cart batteries Trace C40 CC and two small PV panels. The system was definitely installed by a professional with breakers and switched and I am looking at the photo the customer emailed to me and other than upsizing the

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

I’ve had no issues with qo over the years for 12v except if they get dirt in them from mud dobber wasps. JayOn Apr 26, 2024, at 9:05 AM, Darryl Thayer via RE-wrenches wrote:I agree with John also.  one of the better-performing off-grid houses I worked on used a 48 to 12-V Samlex converter. The

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

I agree with John also. one of the better-performing off-grid houses I worked on used a 48 to 12-V Samlex converter. The 12-volt thick-walled refrigerator was about 4 amps at 12 volts. The lights, radio, and small TV drew very few amps each/ I also used an Outback 3648 inverter, which the

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Ray, I'm in the same situation. My strategic plan was to work into early old age ( in 20-25 years). But now, I spend half of my time troubleshooting and replacing equipment on my dime. Between that, competing with Grid-Tied guys, and having to justify my mark-up to clients comparing my pricing to

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Hi Michael; I don't think its 12v, I have old Trace 48 v systems still humming along 24 years later, too. Some of it, is the customers. The old school off grid folks knew how to conserve energy, watch the sun, and were not going to call unless they couldn't fix it themselves. Also, the

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Here's a different take. Just food for thought and not necessarily a suggestion. Those 1st or 2nd Gen 12V systems were/are for me the most reliable and trouble free systems. I'd install one and never hear back from my customer for a decade or more. I regularly see "rats nest" wired 12V/Trace DR/UX

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

I had a lot of trouble keeping QO breakers functional on a 12VDC distribution system. I'd have to move them around every week or so to keep a good contact on the plug in contacts. They seem to work fine on a 24VDC system. I went to using MNPV or MNDC breakers instead in PV combiner or other

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Hi Dave, I appreciate the concern. It's not one of those situations. We have a couple of barrier islands around here where people have set up what amounts to little fish camps that are used infrequently. The islands are also home to a few full-time/most-time residents and state parks. Everyone

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

How about just buy an RV? Seriously the reason Jason I am Leary is because of the experiences I have had with what I call Offgrid Squalor. Just have to be careful especially these days of druggies, people in vans with no windows, ex paramilitary that went bad, and you get the picture. If

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Jason, Just using the converter works fine. They are considered a battery charger or a regulated power supply. I am currently running that way now with the battery cables going nowhere. I was thinking of putting the battery back in the system just for triple redundancy when my inverter hits low

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Yeah definitely no second battery. On Apr 24, 2024, at 6:41 AM, Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches wrote:Jason,My vote would be for using a 120 to 12vDC power supply large enough to handle the remaining 12 vDC loads and skip the second battery bank. In my mind, this is simpler, cleaner, and if the

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

I agree with John. Most 12v fridges have small compressors. But I don’t know what they have. Personally a major reason to go 120/ac is to get a normal refrigerator. But you can measure the surge/load  and then size the charger accordingly. One feature of going charger is the lights are a lot

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Jason, My vote would be for using a 120 to 12vDC power supply large enough to handle the remaining 12 vDC loads and skip the second battery bank. In my mind, this is simpler, cleaner, and if the power supply fails at some point, it is an easy replacement, if they still want to keep the DC loads

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Ah ha! I didn't consider using a small 12V battery with a charger. I was thinking of just using a 120V -> 12V converter to handle the DC loads. Is the 12V battery really necessary, or can I just power the DC loads directly with a converter? If I just have lights and fans on the DC system, the load

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Jason, I have a customer with the same situation except he already has a 12 V VFX inverter, He has a sunfrost fridge and other small loads with a very fancy custom control board originally set up to handle AC and DC systems. We are adding a lot more solar and I was considering a dual battery

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Thanks, Jay. Any thoughts on whether a 100A 12V converter is adequate to handle the startup surge of a modern 120V full-size refrigerator when an existing 400W load is present? That would be my design parameters.  I guess the other question is, what happens if the converter is overloaded? I know

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Fortunately, the owner is pretty handy and is willing to live with any negative consequences. That said, I want to offer him something as simple and bulletproof as possible. I am walking into this with eyes wide open, for sure. Jason Szumlanski Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

I’ve done this many times I use an Iota or power max charger to run the DC. Jay > On Apr 23, 2024, at 2:42 PM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches > wrote: > >  > I have an off-grid client who is working on replacing old equipment at a > cabin. He has a lot of 12 volt distribution in the

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

Not being helpful but I walk away from these. It will come back to you. Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar "we go where powerlines don't" [1]https://offgridsolar1.com/ [2] [1] e-mail offgridso...@sti.net text 209 813 0060 On 2024-04-23 2:40 pm, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches wrote: I have

[RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

I have an off-grid client who is working on replacing old equipment at a cabin. He has a lot of 12 volt distribution in the house for lighting, fans, and a 12 volt refrigerator. He also has 120 volt AC loads that run through a separate distribution panel where the only source is a 2000 Watt Honda