How much power am I using/making?

jeffkruse
jeffkruse Solar Expert Posts: 205 ✭✭✭
in Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum #1
I just went off grid and I want to know how much I am drawing the batteries down at night and at what time they are re-charged in the day.

My system is a Xantrex 4548, an XW charge controller, 10 205W panels, and 8 6V 370AH Deka batteries. I have the Xantrex System Control Panel but not the $600 Communication Gateway.

I want to know how many KW I used from sun down to sun up.
I want to know the lowest voltage the battery saw.
I want to know at what time of day the charge went from Bulk to Absorb.

Also, what percentage of battery capacity is it when the charger switches from Bulk to Absorb? Is Bulk charging the most effecient use of the solar energy durring the charge process. Can I tell my wife that if she sees the system in Absorb mode that she can use as much power as she wants if its sunny?

I made a long post on my blog about my setup.
http://thekrusechronicles.blogspot.com/2009/06/solar-power-long-post.html


Thanks,

Jeff
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Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: How much power am I using/making?

    see this current thread, where a in/out meter is being discused
    http://forum.solar-electric.com/showthread.php?t=5294
    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 ,

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  • jeffkruse
    jeffkruse Solar Expert Posts: 205 ✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: How much power am I using/making?

    Thanks Mike but I didnt want to buy anything or add anything to the system. I want to get all the info from the Xantrex System Control panel if I can.
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  • icarus
    icarus Solar Expert Posts: 5,436 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: How much power am I using/making?

    Tri-metric will do all of that an more,, it's big brother will as well. Tri-metric ~$150,,, well worth it. NAWS sells them.

    You got an expensive system,, spending a few bucks to monitor it only makes sense. Probably pays for itself in battery life savings.

    Tony
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  • dlenox
    dlenox Solar Expert Posts: 42 ✭
    #5
    Re: How much power am I using/making?

    jeff,

    icarus is right in the long haul $150 is next to nothing.

    one other suggestion is to use 3rd party monitoring/logging software, SCP on steroids.

    Dan Lenox
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  • creakndale
    creakndale Solar Expert Posts: 27 ✭✭
    #6
    Re: How much power am I using/making?

    Jeff,
    Nicely done blog page.

    What software did you use to create the "Electrical Drawing, PV w/Battery"? Did you create, from scratch, all the models for use in the drawing such as the PV panels?

    creakndale
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