old ups

System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
can an old ups system (power ware plus) 36c36, be used as a solar inverter? I think the batteries are dead. it looks like the output is 36kva max 3ph. 120/220vac... again, a question about 3ph? . could it feed the grid?
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,641 admin
    #2
    Re: old ups

    The answer is mostly likely, is that you cannot use this as a Grid Tied inverter--GT Inverters (and hybrid inverters) must be designed for the job.

    Next, a 36kW inverter would probably need a minimum of several 10's of kW of solar PV solar array to make any sense power wise--Otherwise, you are burning several hundred Watts with the inverter running at very low power levels.

    If you were into heavy do-it-yourself electronic projects--perhaps you could take it a part and figure out how to make 3x 12 kW off-grid or UPS type inverters... But, that is a lot of power to play with (including battery bank)--and is not something to be taken lightly.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: old ups

    what struck me was 3ph. 3 phase for an inverter isn't common and is most likely not going to fit the bill for your needs. sell it on ebay and put that money to something you can use.
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