How to measure whole house load?
ligwyd
Registered Users Posts: 212 ✭✭
I have been told that a device from Efergy is a cost effective way of measuring your total power consumption over a period of time for the purposes of sizing a system.
What is the consensus here for doing just that? Any recommendations? Have a generator running everything right now but would like to know how much power is actually being used to start accurately sizing a system build.'
Comments
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For under $100 you can buy a used utility meter, either pointer or digital, along with a meter base. Wire it in, read the KWH. Want to record genny & PV? Wire two. All pretty simple
there are also CT metering schemes that would work as well, but probably not as inexpensive yet, but may be easier to install?
Tony -
Tony, I agree - using Current Transformers will be waaaaaay easier to install. Get split core CT and the exposure to heavy power will be a few minutes.I just use the metering data provided by my local utility - including hourly.I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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For ~$50 I used a power recorder to log energy useage over a month, this one is rated for 3750W which is greater than the output of my inverter so doing whole house loads were possible in my case.
https://youtu.be/qZ5FoI6qoXI
1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS
Second system 1890W 3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.
5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding. -
TED has been around for a long time... And they have different models that can measure more than one circuit (main, water heater, A/C, etc.).
http://www.theenergydetective.com/
Just of an example of what is out there...
-BillNear San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
Marc Kurth said:Tony, I agree - using Current Transformers will be waaaaaay easier to install. Get split core CT and the exposure to heavy power will be a few minutes.I just use the metering data provided by my local utility - including hourly.
Thanks,
Tony
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