Post by tinkerdaddy on Jun 25, 2019 16:44:26 GMT
Hello folks! I recently purchased 3 REC TwinPeak 290W panels that came with a 3000W inverter and a HF controller. The lady said they were never used by the previous owner and she decided to move before she got around to using them herself. Due to the way the wires are coiled up looking very stock and neat compared to the hot mess this guy had wired up to the inverter and controler that were drywall screwed to a scrap piece of plywood I tend to believe they have never been used. I also feel they weren't hooked up because the inverter and controller don't look smoked. The panels are 32V and the electronics are rated 12-24V. I checked the panels with a multimeter (a good one) at her house and they were reading just over 30V.
My plan is to build a grid tied system to lower my power bill and I may add battery backup in the future and ability to switch to off-grid. Tornadoes tore through the south in 2011 and my family was out of power for over a week. Luckily I was save in Afghanistan at the time. lol I am aware of the dangers of back-feeding power into a blacked out grid and recently become aware of laws in place to prevent it, which I was glad to see. I'd like to know if anyone can recommend a good brand of micro inverter. I keep reading raving reviews about Enphase posted on sites everywhere but the customer reviews tell a very different story. I'd like to use micro inverters so I can basically have a completely modular set up that I can expand as my cash-flow allows. I'm currently only in for $400 at the moment and may get some of that back if I sell that 24V inverter. I plan to run 6/3 or 4/3 (wallet dictating) down near my fuse box into an outlet and running another new 240 outlet near it going to my fuse panel. That way I can make a cord to plug them into each other when I want to supplement my grid power and when I get an EV I can use either/or to charge the EV. So are or have any of you used micro inverters and can you offer up any decent brands. I get nervous on Amazon when 4 brands have the exact same picture for the description. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
A little background on me so you can get an idea of my knowledge base but not pertinent to my question... feel free to keep scrolling.
I was a heavy diesel tech for about a decade working on military vehicles from the M998 to the newest MRAP both in and out of uniform. I learned about batteries from my remote controlled toys from a 7.2V little truck to a 22.2 lithium powered 60" heli. I am an AE major working as an ME while I finish school. I do all my repairs on everything I own from my '49 Chrysler to my lawn mower and do everything from laying hardwood to chasing shorts in wonderful aluminum house wiring. I have researched a ton on solar power and have learned a lot. There is a lot I still need to learn and would venture to guess there is a lot I don't know that I don't know yet. Electricity doesn't scare me but I do respect it.
My plan is to build a grid tied system to lower my power bill and I may add battery backup in the future and ability to switch to off-grid. Tornadoes tore through the south in 2011 and my family was out of power for over a week. Luckily I was save in Afghanistan at the time. lol I am aware of the dangers of back-feeding power into a blacked out grid and recently become aware of laws in place to prevent it, which I was glad to see. I'd like to know if anyone can recommend a good brand of micro inverter. I keep reading raving reviews about Enphase posted on sites everywhere but the customer reviews tell a very different story. I'd like to use micro inverters so I can basically have a completely modular set up that I can expand as my cash-flow allows. I'm currently only in for $400 at the moment and may get some of that back if I sell that 24V inverter. I plan to run 6/3 or 4/3 (wallet dictating) down near my fuse box into an outlet and running another new 240 outlet near it going to my fuse panel. That way I can make a cord to plug them into each other when I want to supplement my grid power and when I get an EV I can use either/or to charge the EV. So are or have any of you used micro inverters and can you offer up any decent brands. I get nervous on Amazon when 4 brands have the exact same picture for the description. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
A little background on me so you can get an idea of my knowledge base but not pertinent to my question... feel free to keep scrolling.
I was a heavy diesel tech for about a decade working on military vehicles from the M998 to the newest MRAP both in and out of uniform. I learned about batteries from my remote controlled toys from a 7.2V little truck to a 22.2 lithium powered 60" heli. I am an AE major working as an ME while I finish school. I do all my repairs on everything I own from my '49 Chrysler to my lawn mower and do everything from laying hardwood to chasing shorts in wonderful aluminum house wiring. I have researched a ton on solar power and have learned a lot. There is a lot I still need to learn and would venture to guess there is a lot I don't know that I don't know yet. Electricity doesn't scare me but I do respect it.
