Slightly over 5000w on an FM80?

jcheil
jcheil Solar Expert Posts: 722 ✭✭✭
Hey all, have a question.

I need/want to add another string of batteries since I am getting into the 60% SOC each night due to the extreme heat we have been having this summer. I have been averaging about 31kwh per day. Running 2.5tons of mini splits, etc. And yes, everything is as super energy efficient as possible. Generally my base loads are consuming about 1 kw, 24/7.

So I would be at a total of 1,110Ah of capacity (3 x 370). I know 3 strings is not optimal, but I am using 2/0 interconnects and inverter cables and they are all EXACTLY the same length. I also have amp meters on each string and always have near perfect balance between the strings (within one amp).

I currently have 2 FM80,s one with 4680w and one with 3795w of panels.

Due to the configuration of 3 panels in series, if I were to add 9 more, that would bring array 1 to 5175w and array 2 to 5370w. Both of which are a tad higher than the 5000w limit.
I spoke with Outback and they said the FM80 can handle more than 80 and would clip if it got too much but there was always the possibility of nuisance tripping of the 80a GFCI output breaker. They do not make a 100a GFCI but I think someone else does??? And my output wiring is already #2 so it should be ready to handle up to 100a for that short distance.

Does anyone have any experience with this or thoughts?

I know I could add another FM80, but that would be a larger expense and mean running another feed from another combiner, etc. If I HAVE to I will. I mean with this new addition I will be up to $34k, so what's another $1k right??

But based on what I get out of my 8450w system right now it always seems to be around that 77% "actual" going thru the FM80's (in the spring/summer/fall).
However, in the winter (if you can call Central Florida winter "winter"), I have seen higher. Actually higher than the panel ratings in some cases.

Here is my top 10 producing moments in time over the past year.
(PS - I log data every minute)

address, max_watts, date-time
4, 5073, 2015-03-07 11:56:00
4, 4928, 2014-12-23 12:53:46
4, 4814, 2015-04-06 13:35:00
4, 4802, 2014-12-23 12:31:11
4, 4802, 2015-07-28 12:03:00
4, 4776, 2015-02-26 12:21:00
4, 4764, 2015-04-23 13:14:00
4, 4729, 2015-02-23 11:18:00
4, 4712, 2015-04-23 13:22:00
4, 4704, 2015-04-13 12:42:00

address, max_watts, date-time
5, 4260, 2015-03-07 11:56:00
5, 3934, 2015-03-24 13:52:00
5, 3814, 2015-03-24 14:05:00
5, 3806, 2015-02-23 11:20:00
5, 3806, 2015-02-23 11:21:00
5, 3799, 2015-02-23 11:19:00
5, 3780, 2015-02-23 12:28:00
5, 3751, 2015-04-21 12:14:00
5, 3730, 2015-05-29 11:57:00
5, 3712, 2015-03-06 13:00:00


Here is my top 10 producing moments in time for the past spring/summer (05-01-2015 thru today)

# address, max_watts, date-time
4, 4802, 2015-07-28 12:03:00
4, 4622, 2015-05-31 13:06:00
4, 4608, 2015-06-03 11:55:00
4, 4582, 2015-05-24 12:22:00
4, 4576, 2015-05-30 11:21:00
4, 4568, 2015-05-24 12:19:00
4, 4552, 2015-07-28 12:40:00
4, 4536, 2015-05-31 12:06:00
4, 4532, 2015-05-29 11:20:00
4, 4527, 2015-05-31 13:08:00

# address, max_watts, date-time
5, 3730, 2015-05-29 11:57:00
5, 3698, 2015-08-13 12:56:00
5, 3643, 2015-08-13 12:57:00
5, 3627, 2015-07-28 12:02:00
5, 3623, 2015-08-13 12:51:00
5, 3617, 2015-08-13 12:50:00
5, 3610, 2015-07-28 12:03:00
5, 3587, 2015-07-26 14:56:00
5, 3493, 2015-05-29 11:46:00
5, 3493, 2015-05-29 12:07:00

So, thoughts, comments, suggestions appreciated.
And I am pretty sure my calculations are correct in that 10.5K is going to give me a good 15% charge rate for an 1,100Ah battery bank but feel free to double-check/comment.

Sorry for the long post but I figured the more you know the better.

Thanks,
Jay
Off-Grid in Central Florida since 2005, Full-Time since June 2014 | 12 X Sovello 205w panels, 9 X ToPoint 220w panels, 36x ToPoint 225w panels (12,525 watts total) | Custom built single-axis ground mounts | Complete FP2 Outback System: 3 x FM80, 2 x VFX3648, X240 Transformer, FLEXnet-DC, Mate-3, Hub-10, FW500 AC/DC | 24 x Trojan L16RE-B Batteries 1110ah @ 48v | Honda EU7000is Generator and a pile of "other" Generators | Home-Made PVC solar hot water collector | Custom data logging software http://www.somewhatcrookedcamp.com/monitormate.html

Comments

  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    Hi Jay,

    OB should know best about over-PVing their CCs, so would follow their advice.

    Here IS a MidNite 100 A GFP Dual Panel-Mount breaker, which may not quite fit into your present installation ... but... :
    http://www.midnitesolar.com/productP...tOrder=8&act=p

    Have over-PVed some Classic CCs here -- single CC with 5.88 kW STC, and the other single CC with 5.25 kW STC. Have set the Output Amp Limit at 77-ish A in each case, IIRC. No problems with this, but it really is better to add CCs, and configure them to at least go to Float at the same time. Believe that the FMs can do that.

    IF OB says that this is not a real problem, why not try it, and perhaps plan on adding CCs next year ... ??

    Will add the obvious, that you will have a prolonged charge, many/most days, and this long slog is not that good for power equipment, like CCs, especially when heavily-loaded, hour-after-hour. Even in the later part of Absorb, the ACs might get cranked up, keeping the loading on the CCs fairly heavy (at least, if you are at all like me).

    Additionally, if the CCs and other power equipment is in a warm/hot environment, this is even more stressful on the power equipment, as you well-know.

    Just opinions, Good Luck, Vic
    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • jcheil
    jcheil Solar Expert Posts: 722 ✭✭✭
    Thanks, everything you said makes sense.
    I am thinking I might put a small window-unit in my power-room for the summer months.
    I always seem to have "extra" charge power potential most days. Hopefully I still will with the additional string of batteries.
    I have fans in the power room that come on at 90-95 degrees and they "sometimes" come on when it is a REAL hot day.
    But I know the cooler the better with electronics.
    Off-Grid in Central Florida since 2005, Full-Time since June 2014 | 12 X Sovello 205w panels, 9 X ToPoint 220w panels, 36x ToPoint 225w panels (12,525 watts total) | Custom built single-axis ground mounts | Complete FP2 Outback System: 3 x FM80, 2 x VFX3648, X240 Transformer, FLEXnet-DC, Mate-3, Hub-10, FW500 AC/DC | 24 x Trojan L16RE-B Batteries 1110ah @ 48v | Honda EU7000is Generator and a pile of "other" Generators | Home-Made PVC solar hot water collector | Custom data logging software http://www.somewhatcrookedcamp.com/monitormate.html
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I likely wouldn't worry, in the heat you won't produce as much. Your highs are likely edge cloud events and very short lived.

    Limit output from charge controllers for winter, Maybe switch off the new strings and use the breakers/fuses you have now...
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    The most obvious to me is to not need all that power by using efficient cooling. They are getting 30 SEER these days.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • jcheil
    jcheil Solar Expert Posts: 722 ✭✭✭
    The most obvious to me is to not need all that power by using efficient cooling. They are getting 30 SEER these days.


    My mini-splits are only a year old and they are either 22 or 24 seer (I can't remember exactly).
    And my cooling usage is less than half of my total usage each month; which of course is still a lot, but it has been crazy hot this year.
    I have KWH meters on each AC and on the main supply to the house so I can monitor everything.

    Date
    Total Avg/Day
    AC-1 Day Avg
    AC-2 Day Avg
    AC-3 Day Avg
    AC Use Total Avg/Day
    Non AC Use Total Avg/Day


    09/24/14








    10/01/14
    17.0
    2.9
    2.1
    2.71
    7.7
    9.3


    10/31/14
    18.1
    1.6
    1.4
    2.17
    5.1
    13.0


    12/02/14
    17.8
    1.3
    1.5
    1.22
    4.0
    13.7


    01/05/15
    19.4
    0.6
    1.2
    0.59
    2.4
    17.0


    02/01/15
    19.6
    0.0
    0.8
    0.04
    0.9
    18.7


    03/01/15
    20.0
    0.1
    0.8
    0.04
    0.9
    19.1


    04/01/15
    21.1
    1.0
    1.5
    0.13
    2.6
    18.5


    05/01/15
    24.9
    1.5
    2.7
    1.43
    5.6
    19.3


    06/01/15
    26.6
    1.6
    2.9
    2.94
    7.4
    19.2


    07/01/15
    29.2
    2.1
    3.3
    4.37
    9.8
    19.4


    08/01/15
    29.1
    2.8
    3.2
    3.90
    9.9
    19.2


    Not sure how much power I would actually save if it were a 30seer unit? Not to mention the cost of those 30 seer units are way up there.
    Wonder if there is any kind of formula to determine the energy use/saving for one seer vs another?
    Off-Grid in Central Florida since 2005, Full-Time since June 2014 | 12 X Sovello 205w panels, 9 X ToPoint 220w panels, 36x ToPoint 225w panels (12,525 watts total) | Custom built single-axis ground mounts | Complete FP2 Outback System: 3 x FM80, 2 x VFX3648, X240 Transformer, FLEXnet-DC, Mate-3, Hub-10, FW500 AC/DC | 24 x Trojan L16RE-B Batteries 1110ah @ 48v | Honda EU7000is Generator and a pile of "other" Generators | Home-Made PVC solar hot water collector | Custom data logging software http://www.somewhatcrookedcamp.com/monitormate.html
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Well you spoke of using a window unit and so I assumed that was your method. Looking at your data it looks like your main issue is not the cooling load but your other loads. Most off-grid homes that have done their energy efficiency homework use around 4 KWH per day without space conditioning loads. The last few months you are using over 9KWH each month for your non cooling loads?
    Maybe that includes battery charging? You are right that going from 24 SEER to 30 will not help much in your case.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • jcheil
    jcheil Solar Expert Posts: 722 ✭✭✭
    Well you spoke of using a window unit and so I assumed that was your method.
    Yes, I was thinking of adding a small one to the power room for in the summer because it tends to get a bit hot in there.
    Looking at your data it looks like your main issue is not the cooling load but your other loads. Most off-grid homes that have done their energy efficiency homework use around 4 KWH per day without space conditioning loads. The last few months you are using over 9KWH each month for your non cooling loads?
    Maybe that includes battery charging?

    No, battery charging is a separate meter from the generator and that does not pass thru these meters.
    I am as energy efficient as I can be. Modern Fridge and Chest freezer, LED lights, etc. The chest freezer is in a non-air conditioned out-building, which I am sure adds a bit to the energy consumption. I should prolly measure the usage of that to find out for sure. I just don't have room for it anywhere in the "main house".

    However I also have a 20' pool, and even though it is an EE pump, that still contributes to prolly about 2-3kwh per day (maybe more, I should measure it someday).
    Plus I work from home, and have several "servers" running 24/7.
    So unless I decide to "rough it", I don't think I am going to be able to reduce my base usage anymore.

    Off-Grid in Central Florida since 2005, Full-Time since June 2014 | 12 X Sovello 205w panels, 9 X ToPoint 220w panels, 36x ToPoint 225w panels (12,525 watts total) | Custom built single-axis ground mounts | Complete FP2 Outback System: 3 x FM80, 2 x VFX3648, X240 Transformer, FLEXnet-DC, Mate-3, Hub-10, FW500 AC/DC | 24 x Trojan L16RE-B Batteries 1110ah @ 48v | Honda EU7000is Generator and a pile of "other" Generators | Home-Made PVC solar hot water collector | Custom data logging software http://www.somewhatcrookedcamp.com/monitormate.html
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks like you will be buying more equipment. It is good for the economy!! My Florida clients all have large systems that can produce 40 KWH on a good day. The key for them to do this right was to be able to use around 4 KWH when they chose to in winter. They definitely are not roughing it! I find your data interesting, how is it that you know each of the mini-splits usage and do not know what the pool pump uses?
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • jcheil
    jcheil Solar Expert Posts: 722 ✭✭✭
    I find your data interesting, how is it that you know each of the mini-splits usage and do not know what the pool pump uses?

    Well, I bought some actual power meters (electric company type on ebay) and connected them to the feed going into each of the mini-splits. Since they are 240v, it was easier and cheap to use those meters. I think I got the meters for $25 each and the meter box was maybe $25 at home depot.

    My pool and other circuits are all combined on the other power meter that feeds everything (including the ac power).

    I just picked up a few of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/131515288117?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT, and am going to add them to selected circuits in the house (pool, computer room, kitchen, living room, well pumps) that way I can narrow down where the rest of the usage is. They are cheap enough ($12) and use current transformers so they will be really easy to wire into my main panel on individual circuits. I'll just fabricate a small enclosure next to the main panel to hold the meters.

    And I decided on 12 more panels and just said to hell with it and bought another FM80. I'll move one set of 3 of the existing panels plus the 12 new ones to the new FM80 and that will keep each of the 3 controller's wattage around 4k.

    Everything gets delivered tomorrow so it will be a fun next couple of days :)
    Off-Grid in Central Florida since 2005, Full-Time since June 2014 | 12 X Sovello 205w panels, 9 X ToPoint 220w panels, 36x ToPoint 225w panels (12,525 watts total) | Custom built single-axis ground mounts | Complete FP2 Outback System: 3 x FM80, 2 x VFX3648, X240 Transformer, FLEXnet-DC, Mate-3, Hub-10, FW500 AC/DC | 24 x Trojan L16RE-B Batteries 1110ah @ 48v | Honda EU7000is Generator and a pile of "other" Generators | Home-Made PVC solar hot water collector | Custom data logging software http://www.somewhatcrookedcamp.com/monitormate.html
  • vtmaps
    vtmaps Solar Expert Posts: 3,741 ✭✭✭✭
    jcheil wrote: »
    I just picked up a few of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/131515288117?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT, and am going to add them to selected circuits in the house (pool, computer room, kitchen, living room, well pumps) that way I can narrow down where the rest of the usage is. They are cheap enough ($12) and use current transformers so they will be really easy to wire into my main panel on individual circuits.

    I looked at the ebay link and under 'Specifications' is this:
    • Dual measurement of AC voltage, AC current with AC current transformer (It can't be used for measuring the AC power converted from a DC power with an inverter)
    Note: the bold text was bold in the specs.... I did not add it for emphasis. But I wonder why it won't work with an inverter... maybe they are worried about modified square wave inverters.

    --vtMaps
    4 X 235watt Samsung, Midnite ePanel, Outback VFX3524 FM60 & mate, 4 Interstate L16, trimetric, Honda eu2000i
  • jcheil
    jcheil Solar Expert Posts: 722 ✭✭✭
    vtmaps wrote: »

    I looked at the ebay link and under 'Specifications' is this:
    • Dual measurement of AC voltage, AC current with AC current transformer (It can't be used for measuring the AC power converted from a DC power with an inverter)
    Note: the bold text was bold in the specs.... I did not add it for emphasis. But I wonder why it won't work with an inverter... maybe they are worried about modified square wave inverters.

    --vtMaps
    Yeah I saw that too, but I am sure it is because, like you said, of the modified sine wave inverters. And many people are not smart enough to know the difference since they sell them modified-since wave inverters with all sorts of fancy different marketing terms/names now-a-days. So I guess it is easier for them to just put a blanket disclaimer on it. I'll let everyone know if there is an issue, but I highly doubt there will be any on my Outback inverters.
    Off-Grid in Central Florida since 2005, Full-Time since June 2014 | 12 X Sovello 205w panels, 9 X ToPoint 220w panels, 36x ToPoint 225w panels (12,525 watts total) | Custom built single-axis ground mounts | Complete FP2 Outback System: 3 x FM80, 2 x VFX3648, X240 Transformer, FLEXnet-DC, Mate-3, Hub-10, FW500 AC/DC | 24 x Trojan L16RE-B Batteries 1110ah @ 48v | Honda EU7000is Generator and a pile of "other" Generators | Home-Made PVC solar hot water collector | Custom data logging software http://www.somewhatcrookedcamp.com/monitormate.html
  • inMichigan
    inMichigan Registered Users Posts: 51 ✭✭
    How goes your project?
    inMichigan
    42 SP-335's (14.1kw) ->   4 FLEXmax 80's /  5kWh using 17 CA100 CALB cells /  FLEXnet DC  /  MATE3  -> 2 Radian GS8048A and watched over by Vantage Pro 2+ PWS all running since 2015
  • jcheil
    jcheil Solar Expert Posts: 722 ✭✭✭
    OK, project went awesome. Have the 12 new panels installed and the new string of 8 batteries added to the existing bank installed. Actually also finally got around to having Trojan replace that one battery that was weak from the first batch almost a year ago.  They are adjusting nicely and its been about a week and they are almost to the point of being within 1 or 2 amps of equal draw with the old banks.


    Yes I know the problem in the picture above. I am OCD also :)  I will add 9 more panels in a couple of weeks to the top right to make it even :)  I ended up buying another FM80 so I was not over-maxing the 2 I already had. Had to swap out the 2-pole GFDI to a 4-pole GFDI, so I have an extra 2-pole GFDI that is less than a year old if anyone wants to buy it. So now I run 3 arrays, 3780w, 4020w, 3375w for a total of 11,175w into a total of 1110ah of battery in 3 strings. Actually today I peaked a 10,498w and 160amps. Right after a short rain shower and then some nice bright sun on the cool panels. And when I add the 9 OCD panels to the top right, I will be at 5100w, 4050w, 4140w for a total of 13,290w.

    I also added a somewhat EE window A/C unit to the power room since in the summer it was getting WAY too hot in there even with the exhaust fans. A couple of times this summer in extreme 108 degree, 99% humidity days, I had an inverter shut down for over-temp. Now with the A/C unit in there, it stays at 78 degrees and only consumes about 2kwh per day to run it. I'm sure that will pay off in the fact that my batteries and equipment will last longer with the cooler temps and the lower humidity. Plus it's a nice room to sneak off into to cool myself off for a few minutes when I am out working on the yard :)
     
    The picture below I took the in the early evening when my first 2 existing banks were charged and then connected the new bank which needed to be "topped off"  - That is why the first 2 banks are only drawing 2A and the new bank is drawing 35A.  Like I said, it's a week later now and they are all within 1 or 2 or 3 amps of each other both charging and discharging. Battery interconnects and bus connects are all exactly the same length so I should always be right-on in the future.


    And I also got all the meters (from the above earlier post) connected to the main panel. They work great.  Ironically after I got the first one and tested it (it took about 10 days - free shipping), I placed the 2nd order for 18 more and they shipped them Free-DHL so I had them in 3 days from China! Attached are some pictures. I likely have about $300 total into the new "meters panel" (including boxes and wire) but the data it will give me is worth more than that. This pictures was taken about an hour after they were all installed.



    Actually my "over-engineering" and having meters on each of my A/C units paid off recently.

    I was noticing a significant increase in daily consumption (almost 25% from low 30kwh per day to 40+kwh per day). Using daily readings from the meters, I narrowed it down to one of my mini-splits. Upon further investigation, it turns out about a month ago it started slowly leaking Freon and now it was to the point of freezing part of the inside coil, thus causing it to run almost non-stop at almost 9kwh per day! Without the individual meters I likely would not have found out where it was coming from. Long story short, one of the flare nuts on the refrigerant lines had a casting flaw and actually cracked in 3 places causing the slow leak. Fixed now and back to being cool and using only about 2.5kwh per day.

    So, sorry for the delay in letting everyone know, I got busy on another project when I broke an axle on my swamp buggy I had just finished building. So that consumed a bit of my free time; planning on changing them out to 2.5ton axles.


    Off-Grid in Central Florida since 2005, Full-Time since June 2014 | 12 X Sovello 205w panels, 9 X ToPoint 220w panels, 36x ToPoint 225w panels (12,525 watts total) | Custom built single-axis ground mounts | Complete FP2 Outback System: 3 x FM80, 2 x VFX3648, X240 Transformer, FLEXnet-DC, Mate-3, Hub-10, FW500 AC/DC | 24 x Trojan L16RE-B Batteries 1110ah @ 48v | Honda EU7000is Generator and a pile of "other" Generators | Home-Made PVC solar hot water collector | Custom data logging software http://www.somewhatcrookedcamp.com/monitormate.html
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice place to stash 4 kids when the seats are all full !!

    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • jcheil
    jcheil Solar Expert Posts: 722 ✭✭✭
    mike95490 said:
    Nice place to stash 4 kids when the seats are all full !!

    Yeah, that's the "E" Ticket ride :)
    -- I'm dating myself by making that comment, wonder who else "gets it" :)

    Off-Grid in Central Florida since 2005, Full-Time since June 2014 | 12 X Sovello 205w panels, 9 X ToPoint 220w panels, 36x ToPoint 225w panels (12,525 watts total) | Custom built single-axis ground mounts | Complete FP2 Outback System: 3 x FM80, 2 x VFX3648, X240 Transformer, FLEXnet-DC, Mate-3, Hub-10, FW500 AC/DC | 24 x Trojan L16RE-B Batteries 1110ah @ 48v | Honda EU7000is Generator and a pile of "other" Generators | Home-Made PVC solar hot water collector | Custom data logging software http://www.somewhatcrookedcamp.com/monitormate.html
  • inetdog
    inetdog Solar Expert Posts: 3,123 ✭✭✭✭
    jcheil, you are not just OCD, you are CDO!

    (That is OCD with the letters in the proper order.)
    SMA SB 3000, old BP panels.
  • BilljustBill
    BilljustBill Solar Expert Posts: 219 ✭✭✭

    A picture is worth a thousand questions!  What a setup!  Do you think you could have gone to a smaller A/C wall unit?  Here in North Central Texas, summer temps are hot and I'm afraid the heat from two GVFX3524 Outbacks and three FM80's is going to too high for just blowing DC fans.

     I was wondering how you handle your homeowner's policy?  Do you have a special Ryder to cover them?  Average increase to your policy?

    I appreciate the knowledge as I'll soon be adding/addressing those issues with a 5k off grid system.

    Thanks,

    Bill

    Bill
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Many folks offgrid self insure. Many insurance companies do not want to insure solar offgrid. There are a few insurance companies in the secondary market that will inspect an offgrid home and insure it. The wildfires have made insurance a luxury for many. The forests are being managed really poorly and so more of this is coming. Build the home to survive a wild fire or live in the desert!
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • jcheil
    jcheil Solar Expert Posts: 722 ✭✭✭

    A picture is worth a thousand questions!  What a setup!  Do you think you could have gone to a smaller A/C wall unit?  Here in North Central Texas, summer temps are hot and I'm afraid the heat from two GVFX3524 Outbacks and three FM80's is going to too high for just blowing DC fans.

     I was wondering how you handle your homeowner's policy?  Do you have a special Ryder to cover them?  Average increase to your policy?

    I appreciate the knowledge as I'll soon be adding/addressing those issues with a 5k off grid system.

    Thanks,

    Bill

    That's the smallest wall AC unit I could find that has "digital" temperature control and Energy Star settings. It's only a 6500BTU. The smallest AC units I have ever seen period are 5000, and they are the old manual style.

    And Insurance, LOL, not a chance. Can't get insurance out here at all for anything. When you need a 4x4 to get down the 5 mile long "road/trail" to the property, and have to go thru 2 locked gates, that pretty much guarantees that the fire department won't be able to get to you. We are actually serviced by Forestry fire service and they are not really "first responders" anyways. 
    Off-Grid in Central Florida since 2005, Full-Time since June 2014 | 12 X Sovello 205w panels, 9 X ToPoint 220w panels, 36x ToPoint 225w panels (12,525 watts total) | Custom built single-axis ground mounts | Complete FP2 Outback System: 3 x FM80, 2 x VFX3648, X240 Transformer, FLEXnet-DC, Mate-3, Hub-10, FW500 AC/DC | 24 x Trojan L16RE-B Batteries 1110ah @ 48v | Honda EU7000is Generator and a pile of "other" Generators | Home-Made PVC solar hot water collector | Custom data logging software http://www.somewhatcrookedcamp.com/monitormate.html