off grid simple set up

clueless
clueless Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 3 ✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
I wish to set up a solar powered electric hot water heating system.  I would like it to be expandable, simple, safe.  It will be a ground mount system.   The goal is to use the power directly as it is produced.  It would be used for hot water in the winter and AC in the summer.  I have a rudimental understanding of solar set up.  I would like help with specifics panel sizes, inverter, battery setup, grounding, wire size, etc.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.  
Thanks, 
Clueless 
· Share on Twitter

Comments

  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 521 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    So how do you plan to keep the water usably hot when there is no sun?
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
    · Share on Twitter
  • clueless
    clueless Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 3 ✭
    #3
    Currently I have a grid tied electric hot water heater.  I live in a place that experiences frequent power failures, sometimes for multiple days.  I have used the 40 gallon heated water for showers and it has lasted for multiple showers.  Based on that experience I believe an overnight will last with no input.
    · Share on Twitter
  • NANOcontrol
    NANOcontrol Registered Users Posts: 288 ✭✭✭
    #4
    I get all my hot water from PV at my camp.  You don't need all the expense of inverters, batteries, and charge controllers.  It can be done easily with a power point controller which electronically matches panel to heater element efficiently.  It only costs about $20 to build and has a dozen parts.  Install a part every three days and it is done in a month. It only takes motivation.  It is totally unknown in the solar world.  I use it to divert excess power directly from my array voltage and not use any charge controller resources.  I have two tans for my house domestic water, the 2 1/2 gallon heats quickly and takes only 400WH. The second tank is a pre heat.  Other tank is for the laundry. I feed hot water into the cold inlet and do all cycles with hot water.  The clothes come out steaming.   Supplemental PV water heating should be the entry into solar.  At home I do PV resistive heating on my HPWH because it has a much better payback. 

    · Share on Twitter
  • clueless
    clueless Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 3 ✭
    #5
    Starting over.  I made the classic mistake of buying panels without a clue of what to do next.  I have a grid tied system that produces more electric than I use, therefore I have a backlog of wattage that I let the electric company use for free. Back to my problem. I currently have 4 /300-watt panels mounted ready to make useful power.  I have watched many videos and only get more confused as to how to proceed.  At the same time, I wish to add significantly more panels etc. to produce a quantity of electricity to heat my house due to the current astronomic price of heating oil.  Therefore, my goal is to build a system that is expandible.  I realize this goal is a little open ended but any input would be appreciated.

    · Share on Twitter
  • NANOcontrol
    NANOcontrol Registered Users Posts: 288 ✭✭✭
    edited May 2 #6
    If you don't get confused, you are probably looking at garbage.  Any new information is initially hard to digest. Ask one question at a time.  What I know from years of involvement seems obvious.  It is difficult to place myself in the mind of someone just learning.  I can't help if you don't ask a question.  

    Search lm385 water heater on YT.
    · Share on Twitter

Categories