For the grid-tie inverters, we have been using the SMA inverters quite a bit... not the cheapest ones out there, but they work reliably and do tell you what's going on -- we've used a lot of chinese made ones, and the failure rate has been less than desirable (30% or so on one brand).
Z On Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 8:05 AM, Tony <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Thanks for the info on the Trimetric battery meter > Zeke > > I did a quick Search and came up with > http://www.bogartengineering.com/ > for starters, will read up on it and will find out the best / cheapest way > to get one, as we seem to be ripped off for everything here in AU Esp > on Electrical Gadgets it probably will be cheaper to Import it from > Anywhere other than AU ! > > No the Regulator doesn't have a meter just a few LEDs > Being a bit of nerd that way I like to know more accurately > what my figures are even though I am not that electronically Capable > > It drives me crazy for instance my 1kw Grid Inverter is a PVEdge > it only has a very basic readout that only shows the units it has > created since day one and for present readings it has 4 LEDS > 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% and you don't know just exactly what you are > collecting at any one given time > > I recently got my 86 year old mum into a 1.5 kw Grid solar setup > ( $2200 installed Govt contributed 7000$ ) and her inverter tells you > just about everything ! > I am tempted to get it hooked to her computer and then I can monitor it > Via TeamViewer from 100kms away from her place > > I have a new link for the Regulator > > MPPT60-2, 15V to 95V,3600w output Regulator > Paid $300.00 Normally $649.00 > http://www.gsl.com.au/mppt60.html > > Just as a point of interest as well When I put my system in just over > 2 years ago > the electricity Company ( Synergy) paid us 47cents per unit. > > They have since changed it to only 7 cents per unit. > > Tony > > > At 07:06 AM 6/08/2012 -0600, you wrote: > >The link to your charge controller didn't work, so I'm not sure exactly > >what it has and does not have. But, usually, the meter for the solar > >panels is built into that. > > > >If not, a good all around meter is the trimetric battery meter -- it will > >measure battery voltage, and net amps (PV minus load -- so in a way it's > >measuring both your load and your PV, just not independently) as well as > >tracking amp hours in and out of the battery, to give you a battery state > >of charge (yes, you can also get that with a hydrometer, but it's way > >easier to look at a little display than to pop the battery caps off and > >take a hydrometer reading every few hours. It's about $185 here in the > >US... not sure if there are australian distributors or not. > > > >Z > > > >On Sun, Aug 5, 2012 at 11:28 PM, Tony <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi Folks > > > > > > I live in a small town 100km from Perth Western Australia > > > and I have put ( on a very limited income ) up 1kw system > > > ( subsidised by our Govt, my cost was 2500$ they contributed 8000$ ) > > > > > > I did this just over 2 years ago, and as the way the grid system works, > > > if the grid power goes out, so does the solar system so we are still no > > > better off . > > > > > > So the Alternative Energy Bug Bit harder ! > > > > > > I decided to set up a stand alone system and have been slowly > > > getting together this ... > > > > > > System to date and costs so far > > > > > > 4 x Trojan 6V golf cart Batteries 205 amp/hour each > > > ( this system is 24 volt ) > > > > > > These Batteries are 8 months old 4 for $200 as > > > apposed to 175$ ex GST each new > > > in Aust. > > > > > > ( Secondary lighting bank for led lighting and miscellaneous uses > > > 2 x 12v 89amp/HR marine/Truck/4wd batteries ) > > > > > > > > > > > > http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/lights-electrical/automotive-batteries/4wd-truck-marine.aspx?id=5072 > > > > > > ( Am Still deciding if I will go 12v for lighting ) > > > > > > 2 x Monocrystalline Solar Panel 180W (24V) > > > Paid $300.00 each . Normal price $669.00 EACH > > > http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=N0180 > > > > > > MPPT60-2, 15V to 95V,3600w output Regulator > > > Paid $300.00 Normally $649.00 > > > http://www.gsl.com.au/products/solar_regulators.html#product3 > > > > > > 4 x 6m lengths of 50 x 50 angle Iron for frame > > > to mount solar panels on roof. > > > with 10% Discount from Midalia Steel Welshpool > > > Paid $148.00 Including cutting to 1.6m lengths > > > > > > (* I changed the design after buying the steel and > > > could have saved buying 1 length of angle ! *) > > > > > > Calibre Battery Charger - 6/12/24V, 10 Amp, Smart > > > Paid $144.00 normally $219.00 > > > > > > > > > > > > http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Calibre-Battery-Charger-6-12-24V-10-Amp-Smart.aspx?pid=125650#Description > > > > > > 24V x 1000 Watt (3000W Surge) Pure Sinewave Inverter > > > paying $358.00 normally $699.00 > > > http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=M8018 > > > > > > I am looking and considering a Grid tie setup as well. > > > > > > I would like to find and purchase > > > 1 x 24v or switchable 12/24v meter to > > > mount near the gear to visually monitor > > > the solar out put of panels > > > > > > Also 1 x 24v one for the future Wind Turbine > > > > > > and as the inverter doesn't have a output meter > > > (for present power being consumed ) > > > one for that as well (24v input & 240~255 output) > > > > > > And Maybe 1 x 24v meter to monitor the condition > > > of batteries > > > > > > Any suggestions on where to purchase these meters > > > at a good price would be gratefully accepted > > > > > > > > > I will when I can afford it purchase a 24v x 500w wind Turbine > > > and also considering a VAWT / generator as well > > > > > > I am finding once you get into your own Power generation > > > it is somewhat like gold prospecting it gets in your blood > > > and you cant stop ! > > > > > > Though I still haven't made any BioDiesel, I do at some time hope to > > > and I imagine my addiction will carry onto that as well. > > > > > > This is a Brilliant channel on YouTube to check out > > > > > > OBXSOLWIND's channel > > > http://www.youtube.com/user/obxsolwind?feature=results_main > > > > > > > > > Could we add a bit more into The Biofuel Group on the Alternative > energy > > > AROUND the world ESP as different countries have different power > > > options IE in Aust we are 240 volt. > > > > > > We now live in a global community and America isn't the center > > > of the universe anymore GRIN! > > > > > > Thanks Keith > > > Love your Work > > > > > > Tony Lush > > > Toodyay ( Pronounced 2J) > > > Western Australia > > > > > > PS > > > *** I live on a disabled pension and decided > > > that if i want to make my dreams come true > > > I have to find a way to do it, and that is one > > > item at a time and be patient boy it feels > > > good to be getting close to completion! *** > > > > > > > > > You don't have to see the whole staircase, > > > just take the first step. > > > > > > - Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Biofuel mailing list > > > Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > > > http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel > > > > > > Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > > > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > > > > > Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (70,000 > > > messages): > > > http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > > > > >-------------- next part -------------- > >An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > >URL: /pipermail/attachments/20120806/78eb5ad6/attachment.html > >_______________________________________________ > >Biofuel mailing list > >Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > >http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel > > > >Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > >http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > > >Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (70,000 > messages): > >http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: /pipermail/attachments/20120806/2004978d/attachment.html > _______________________________________________ > Biofuel mailing list > Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel > > Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (70,000 > messages): > http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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