Six low cost 300 watt Grid Tie Inverter (GTI) units were tested at 12V, 18V, and 24V to evaluate at the power output levels they achieve. None of the GTIs re…
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Jan
19
Power Jack PORN – Grid Tie Inverter Testing with a Battery Bank
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Marcelo Taraborelli says:
January 19, 2015 at 12:49 am (UTC 0)
Thanks for your explanations. I ask, I have a 300w inverter grid 12-28V, I
can connect a solar panel of 60 cell 29.5v?
Fearlessthinker says:
January 19, 2015 at 1:10 am (UTC 0)
@dwm10251a I reran the test on that GTI again this morning and after
stalling again at the 18V level at 200w, about 30 seconds later it suddenly
then ramped up to 236w matching near where the others settled. Tom
CarlVanDoren says:
January 19, 2015 at 1:28 am (UTC 0)
Let me guess, Fearless watched the Victioria Secret Fashion Show, Carl
definition of is says:
January 19, 2015 at 1:47 am (UTC 0)
That was interesting. At first I thought it was measuring GTI efficiency at
various voltages. However, I am concerned it is really driving the 6 volt
batteries too hard at 18v, relative to 24v, and so you have issues with
battery discharge and battery internal resistance clouding the data. Surely
those GTIs are driving down the voltage over the 45 second synchronization
time. Anyway I await the next experiment. You already have me wondering if
my single MX60 MPPT was not optimal for my solar.
Jack Waters says:
January 19, 2015 at 2:27 am (UTC 0)
The led in Wanf light in current out o input ?Where inverter grid efficient
model 300 watt or model inverter 250 (label blue) ?
Caleb Engineering, LLC says:
January 19, 2015 at 3:05 am (UTC 0)
How am I going to explain to my wife that I was watching PORN on YouTube?
It looks like you are getting some nice power off those solar panels.
Fearlessthinker says:
January 19, 2015 at 3:37 am (UTC 0)
@definitionofis I neglected to show what was happening to the voltage, and
I should have. It was slightly dropping even though we were only drawing
~250w. I have some more tests to do, so I will add that, as well as get a
reading on efficiency at the 18V and 24V levels. It is still a mystery of
why these GTIs did not do better with perfectly matched parallel solar
panels. This test clearly shows the GTIs can put out well over 200w with a
stable current source.
Philip Kong says:
January 19, 2015 at 4:25 am (UTC 0)
Thanks!! I didn’t think of that. The Grid Tie will run at full blast off
the batteries and drain it out fairly quickly at night. I was hoping to
store some of the energy in the day to use it at night (to further reduce
my electric bill). But I understand what you are saying. Thanks!
Fearlessthinker says:
January 19, 2015 at 4:30 am (UTC 0)
@definitionofis I added efficiency test results on the last summary slide.
It is much better at the lower power end.
1moreuser says:
January 19, 2015 at 4:34 am (UTC 0)
Is there maybe a way to limit the amount of power that the inverter takes
from the batteries? Like just for an example…say the entire household is
only using 150 watts, is there some way to make the inverter just produce
what is needed…instead of going balls to the wall all the time? LOL
Joe Theragman says:
January 19, 2015 at 4:35 am (UTC 0)
I had considered the same thing about the Power Co allowing these to be
installed. The key is to install a small system by taking out a permit and
getting it passed by your county inspector. Do all the routein stuff like
disconnect switches and conduits. If you get that passed the Power has to
allow it without penalty fees. I already have a net metering system
approved, so I am just adding on to the system out in my shop/greenhouse
area.
Fearlessthinker says:
January 19, 2015 at 4:55 am (UTC 0)
@TheKilog69 Cool. Share what you find out. I think these end points, like
10.5, 14, 28, and 30 are not very precise and they are a bit hard to test.
I’ve tried with a power supply and because of the way the MPPT function
works in these they tend to battle any change in voltage. Have fun with it
K-man. We’re looking forward to your next video.
Philip Kong says:
January 19, 2015 at 5:25 am (UTC 0)
Hi Fearless, Great Vid! Can I use solar panels to power my grid tie in the
day, and run it off batteries at night (for my Fridge and Fishtank). Config
would be: Panel to controller to battery to grid tie to outlet? OR can I
run the Panel to the controller (to battery) AND to grid tie at the same
time? When panels are up and running, it would charge the batteries and run
the rid tie. At night, panels does nothing and grid tie works off
batteries. Your thoughts? Thanks!
Joe Theragman says:
January 19, 2015 at 6:06 am (UTC 0)
Fearlessthinker, you are correct. In my first set up I find that my four
24Vdc panels have a hard time getting and maintaining a full charge on my
four 6Vdc batteries which are series/parallel config. They never charge up
and go down to 11 % by the end of the day. I tried my panels first to input
my two Sun 600w GTI’s, but they only operate with a max of 30Vdc input.
That is why I tried the battery set up. so I may have to get two other
GTI’s that will operate at higher than 30Vdc.
TheKilog69 says:
January 19, 2015 at 6:33 am (UTC 0)
@Fearlessthinker Thanks For doing this test as your set up is perfect to do
so many things .Also it backs up what i saw on another You tube site. With
the G.T.I.s, Hooked up to Bank on a switch that allows them to be on panels
or fully charged battery bank.13.8 vt They seem to be more stable on the
battery, than on panels as they get a constant voltage as to panels always
changing do to sun or cloud cover. I will get a 250 watt G.T.i. rated @10.5
t0 30 volts.eBay has @$73.00. Thanks
radioguy961 says:
January 19, 2015 at 7:12 am (UTC 0)
Nice set up. But I’m wondering if it is a permited and approved instal.
Does your power company and local building inspector know about your
system? I’ve heard these plug n play inverters are impossible to get passed
inspection.
vinnieb571 says:
January 19, 2015 at 8:07 am (UTC 0)
I have a 1050 ah battery bank and a 1200 watt 18v to 28 v power jack. I’m
having trouble with the invert er heating up. it hits 1040 watts in no time
and then trips off.
Fearlessthinker says:
January 19, 2015 at 8:49 am (UTC 0)
GTIs only drive the power line. They can’t be used to power other things.
Use a normal DC-to-AC inverter for that. If you power the GTI from a
battery, the GTI will run at full blast and drain the battery to the point
it may not recover. Not recommended.
rfrank100 says:
January 19, 2015 at 9:20 am (UTC 0)
what is the draw on the battery in amps? that would dictate how many amps I
need to keep batteries charged. roland
Fearlessthinker says:
January 19, 2015 at 9:54 am (UTC 0)
@CarlVanDoren LOL. One of my fantasies is to grid tie a few of those models
in broad daylight. 😉
DIYPV says:
January 19, 2015 at 10:43 am (UTC 0)
Nice test do you have a 10.5v Sun to test?
Fearlessthinker says:
January 19, 2015 at 11:15 am (UTC 0)
@Caleb6543 Just tell her it was all in the name of science, then zip up. 😉
Don Mayfield says:
January 19, 2015 at 11:33 am (UTC 0)
Why the name PORN and why the music? Just the facts please, no sarcasm. Now
why did the GT16 underperform at 18v and jump to a much higher level at
24v?