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Whole Home Battery Backup Hybrid Inverter : EG4 18KPV

Jesse Muller・79 minutes read

The individual discusses the installation of batteries and inverters for a home backup system, emphasizing proper installation and safety measures. They also elaborate on the power generation from solar panels, the use of MPPTs, and potential savings, highlighting the versatility and benefits of the system.

Insights

  • Heavy equipment for home backup systems can weigh over 300 pounds, requiring specific tools like knives for handling, emphasizing the need for assistance during installation due to weight and size challenges.
  • Proper installation of batteries and inverters in a utility room involves detailed safety measures like using foam, steel, and plywood for fire rating, hitting specific wall points for secure attachment, and ensuring lithium iron phosphate batteries' safety over lithium ion batteries.
  • The system setup involves intricate connections, such as parallel inverters for whole-home backup, manual transfer switches with interlock breakers for safety, and monitoring power flow accurately using Current Transformers (CTs) and an app, highlighting the complexity and precision required for a robust solar power system.

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Recent questions

  • What tools are needed for heavy equipment handling?

    Knife and specific tool for lifting

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Summary

00:00

Installing Heavy Batteries and Inverter Safely

  • The speaker discusses the weight of the equipment, mentioning they are 300+ pounds each and require a specific tool for handling.
  • They refer to a knife as a potential tool needed for the task.
  • The speaker struggles with items stuck in a certain place and mentions the need for assistance in lifting heavy equipment.
  • They mention the purchase of batteries and inverters for a home backup system, emphasizing the weight and size of the equipment.
  • The speaker highlights the need for proper installation of batteries and inverters in a utility room, detailing the use of foam, steel, and plywood for safety and fire rating.
  • Specific measurements like 3/4 inch plywood and 16 gauge steel are mentioned for installation purposes.
  • The speaker explains the importance of hitting specific points on the wall for secure attachment of heavy equipment.
  • Details about the batteries being lithium iron phosphate and their safety compared to lithium ion batteries are provided.
  • The speaker unpacks and installs the batteries, detailing their capacity, voltage, and installation process.
  • The speaker unboxes an inverter, explaining its hybrid functionality, ability to sell back power to the grid, and its role in providing uninterrupted power during outages.

20:54

"Whole-Home Backup Power with Inverter Setup"

  • Power from the inverter is 200 amps, with the same amount going back into the panel through a transfer switch for backup.
  • The main breaker is located 120 ft away in the driveway, making tapping into incoming power challenging due to loads before the panel.
  • A manual transfer switch with an interlock breaker can be used for backup power, preventing backfeeding into the grid.
  • The interlock device ensures power can be fed into the panel but not beyond, avoiding backfeeding into the grid.
  • The inverter has terminals for incoming power, battery charging, and exporting power to the grid, with load terminals for a subpanel or whole-home backup.
  • Multiple inverters can be paralleled to achieve 200 amps output, allowing for whole-home backup.
  • A critical loads panel isolates essential circuits during power outages, but the preference is for whole-home backup without the complexity.
  • The plan involves feeding power from the grid side to the panel and back with an interlock to the main breaker for whole-home backup.
  • An interlock device ensures opposing breakers for grid and load cannot be on simultaneously, preventing backfeeding and ensuring safety for utility workers.
  • Initial setup involves connecting the battery to the inverter, with plans for parallel cables between batteries for increased capacity and clean wiring using a conduit box.

45:37

Essential Current Transformers Monitor Power Flow

  • Current Transformers (CTs) are essential for monitoring power flow before connecting to the grid.
  • CT1 and CT2 are labeled for line one and line two respectively.
  • Red and black wires on the inverter correspond to line two and line one.
  • The CTs are connected to the inverter to monitor power usage accurately.
  • The system accurately displays power usage, showing a jump from 2,000 to 5,000 Watts.
  • An app is installed to monitor power usage more effectively.
  • The system can offset power usage by discharging from the battery to the inverter.
  • Peak shaving can save money by charging batteries during cheaper electricity hours.
  • Selling excess power back to the grid may not be profitable in some cases.
  • A manual interlock breaker setup can provide backup power without complex transfer switches.

01:08:02

"Geothermal System Power Usage and Efficiency"

  • The geothermal compressor requires about 10 Kow for half a second or less to kick on.
  • One battery may not provide the full 12 Kow output needed, especially considering the surge.
  • The geothermal system is currently using 3,000 Watts, totaling 4,200 WTS.
  • The system can handle additional loads like a washing machine, toasters, and coffee makers.
  • With the dryer, geothermal unit, toaster, and air fryer running, the total power usage reaches 7,700 Watts.
  • The geothermal unit's fan turns on above 7,000 Watts, creating some heat.
  • The system is using 8,000 Watts, with some inefficiency due to the inverter and standby power.
  • The battery can run at 8,000 Watts for about an hour and a half with a total capacity of 14 kilowatt hours.
  • Turning off the toaster and air fryer reduces power usage to 6,500 Watts.
  • Testing solar panels with four connected panels producing 115 Watts and 153 volts, charging the battery and supplying some energy to the house.

01:31:34

Maximizing Solar Power Generation with MPPTs

  • The text discusses the importance of having three different MPPTs to maximize solar power generation at different times of the day.
  • The author mentions the ability to backfeed to the grid but explains the risks involved, especially when other buildings are using power between the main location and the meter.
  • There is a constant load of at least 2500 watts between the garage and another cabin, which prevents excess power from backfeeding to the grid.
  • The author plans to wait for an interconnect agreement before testing the zero export feature to avoid potential issues with the utility company.
  • The author plans to add more batteries and inverters for a garage project, emphasizing the importance of facing the garage in a southern direction for optimal solar power generation.
  • The author details the solar power generation results, noting the impact of sun direction on power output.
  • The author prepares to connect a second battery using waterproof connectors and a hydraulic crimper.
  • The author runs DC wires through metal conduit for safety and upgrades wire sizes and breakers to handle the power output effectively.
  • The author explains the importance of metal conduit for DC wires and the necessity of proper wire sizing and breaker ratings.
  • The author discusses the capabilities of the inverter, including generator input options and the use of a charge verter to clean up power from non-inverter generators.

01:59:07

Solar Power System: Cost, Savings, and Installation

  • The Charge Verter is highly recommended and in high demand, so purchasing it promptly is advised.
  • The system discussed is versatile and beneficial for various needs, not limited to a specific purpose.
  • Calculating the Return on Investment (ROI) is crucial, with an example provided based on a 10 Kow array and a cost of 24 cents per kilowatt-hour.
  • The total cost for the system, including the inverter, batteries, solar array, and engineering, is estimated to be under $20,000 if self-installed.
  • The potential savings from a 25 Kow array with bifacial panels and seasonal adjustments could amount to around $10,000 annually.
  • The system's components, such as lithium iron phosphate batteries and inverters, have warranties lasting up to 10 years.
  • The importance of proper placement of the back feed breaker in the panel for effective operation is highlighted.
  • The individual's journey into solar power, starting with 12-volt batteries and gradually expanding to a whole-house system, is detailed.
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