Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

[Dana Orzel via RE-wrenches]

& from what I was told this week split you only get 1/2 the power per leg? 
Please clarify if different

_
Dana OrzelGREAT SOLAR WORKS!
C - 208.721.7003  E - d...@solarwork.com
W - www. greatsolarworks.com www.solarwork.com
"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988!"

--- Begin Message ---
David is correct.  We have some experience with Sol-Ark’s inverter, and it’s a 
good product.  However, be aware that you can configure it either as a 120V 
inverter with a max. output of about 5 kW or as a 240V inverter with a max. 
output of about 8 kW.  However, it does NOT do split-phase, meaning if you 
configure it for 240V, it cannot run loads that require a neutral.

Tom McCalmont
Paired Power


On May 3, 2024, at 4:12 PM, david quattro via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:

I think SolArk makes an 8K 120V-only version
David




On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 3:13 PM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
For this application I was originally thinking about a 48V inverter with 120V 
output, but there are not many options in the size range I was considering. It 
hit me that I could potentially get a 120/240V split-phase inverter and run the 
DC converter from one leg and the 120V loads from the other leg. The Sol-Ark 8K 
would probably be the right size for this application. Despite there being no 
240V loads, they "could" add them in the future if needed. I know about 
imbalance issues with the 12k, but have not heard this same feedback about the 
8k, so please let me know if you know otherwise.

I really doubt there will be enough imbalance here to cause issues. The biggest 
load on the DC side is a tiny 12V DC pump and the largest load on the AC side 
will be the new refrigerator, or maybe a big ceiling fan starting up. The 
inductive loads are almost negligible. Really the only reason I want an 
inverter this large is for the charger capacity. The owner wants a 9.6kWh LiPo 
battery minimum, so I want a sizable charger.

BUT, the client would need to replace their 120V portable generator with a 
split-phase unit. That could be a sticking point taking me back to a 120V 
inverter.

I was hoping for an all-in-one for this particular job, but the only one I can 
find that is 48Vdc and 120Vac is the EG4 6500EX-48. At the price point they 
offer it, I guess it can't hurt to try! I can even have a spare on the shelf 
for less in total than the cost of a Victron inverter charger and separate 
charge controller, and still have money to spare. I have been dabbling into the 
EG4 brand, mostly with clients that went ahead and bought EG4 batteries before 
they ever met me, and I haven't had any real issues other than battery to 
inverter closed loop comms. It's too early to say I'm impressed, but the prices 
are in the too-good-to-be-true category. I don't want to get off topic here 
with batteries and manufacturer reliability, but I wanted to mention the EG4 
6500EX-48, which seems like perfect specs for this job.


And... I know... someone is probably thinking that we're up to a 9.6kWh battery 
with a small 120V generator, and that's probably not a good match. I get that, 
but the client expects the PV to handle all of their needs with the generator 
only serving as an emergency backup. I have alerted them to the potential 
mismatch. I still want a sizeable charger in case they upgrade their generator 
for faster battery recharges.

Jason Szumlanski
Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208



On Wed, Apr 24, 2024 at 1:52 PM John Blittersdorf via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
Jason,
  Just using the converter works fine. They are considered a battery charger or 
a regulated power supply. I am currently running that way now with the battery 
cables going nowhere.  I was thinking of putting the battery back in the system 
just for triple redundancy when my inverter hits low battery cutoff voltage on 
a cold winter night and no fuel for the generator (or it won't start).
My Iota DLS puts out a regulated 13.4 volts up to 30 amps.

John

On Wed, Apr 24, 2024 at 8:25 AM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
Ah ha! I didn't consider using a small 12V battery with a charger. I was 
thinking of just using a 120V -> 12V converter to handle the DC loads. Is the 
12V battery really necessary, or can I just power the DC loads directly with a 
converter? If I just have lights and fans on the DC system, the load should be 
pretty minimal.

I could use a separate 12V battery, but I would like to eliminate that cost and 
complexity if possible.


And yeah, I am not considering this a money making opportunity. It's really 
just a cha

Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

[Tom McCalmont via RE-wrenches]

It does not do split-phase.  You either configure it for 120V or 240V, both 
single-phase (no neutral).

> On May 4, 2024, at 6:45 AM, Dana Orzel  wrote:
> 
> & from what I was told this week split you only get 1/2 the power per leg? 
> Please clarify if different
>  
> _
> Dana OrzelGREAT SOLAR WORKS! 
> C – 208.721.7003  E – d...@solarwork.com 
> W - www. greatsolarworks.com  
> www.solarwork.com 
> “Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988!”
>  
> 

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Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

[Jay via RE-wrenches]

I wanted to follow up on this thread. According to the sol Ark website. The US 8 kw is rated at 120/240. Which I’ve always thought mean 3 wire. L1,L2,N. The US 5kw is 120v only. L1, N Do I have this correct?JayOn May 4, 2024, at 9:15 AM, Tom McCalmont via RE-wrenches  wrote:It does not do split-phase.  You either configure it for 120V or 240V, both single-phase (no neutral).On May 4, 2024, at 6:45 AM, Dana Orzel  wrote:& from what I was told this week split you only get 1/2 the power per leg? Please clarify if different _Dana OrzelGREAT SOLAR WORKS! C – 208.721.7003  E – d...@solarwork.comW - www. greatsolarworks.com www.solarwork.com“Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988!” ___List sponsored by Redwood AlliancePay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.orgList Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgChange listserver email address & settings:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.orgThere are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other:https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.orgList rules & etiquette:http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htmCheck out or update participant bios:http://www.members.re-wrenches.org___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] 120 Vac and 12Vdc mixed distribution system

[Tom McCalmont via RE-wrenches]

There are two different products. The so-called 5/8kW is the one that can’t do split phase. 5 kW @120V or 8 kW @240VThe pure 8kW may be able to do split-phase but it’s a different product Tom McCalmontSent from my iPhoneOn May 4, 2024, at 6:20 PM, Jay  wrote:I wanted to follow up on this thread. According to the sol Ark website. The US 8 kw is rated at 120/240. Which I’ve always thought mean 3 wire. L1,L2,N. The US 5kw is 120v only. L1, N Do I have this correct?JayOn May 4, 2024, at 9:15 AM, Tom McCalmont via RE-wrenches  wrote:It does not do split-phase.  You either configure it for 120V or 240V, both single-phase (no neutral).On May 4, 2024, at 6:45 AM, Dana Orzel  wrote:& from what I was told this week split you only get 1/2 the power per leg? Please clarify if different _Dana OrzelGREAT SOLAR WORKS! C – 208.721.7003  E – d...@solarwork.comW - www. greatsolarworks.com www.solarwork.com“Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988!” ___List sponsored by Redwood AlliancePay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.orgList Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgChange listserver email address & settings:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.orgThere are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other:https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.orgList rules & etiquette:http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htmCheck out or update participant bios:http://www.members.re-wrenches.org___
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