Installing 300 Amps of Solar Charge Controllers

Рет қаралды 18,572

2 ай бұрын

I'm installing 3 solar MPPT charge controllers into my Schneider off grid system. Each of these MPPT charge controllers can accept up to 600 Volts from the PV array, and charge the battery at 100 Amps. Schneider is known for it's industrial equipment, and these charge controllers are no different. These can run at full load (100A) continuous in an environment up to 40°C (104°F).
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Signature Solar affiliate links:
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Schneider 600/100 MPPT Charge Controllers: signaturesolar.com/schneider-...
Schneider PDP (Power Distribution Panel): signaturesolar.com/schneider-...
Schneider 6848 XW PRO inverter: signaturesolar.com/schneider-...
Chargeverter, 100A charger: signaturesolar.com/eg4-charge...
Schneider 125A circuit breaker: signaturesolar.com/schneider-...
Schneider off grid bundle inverters and charge controllers: signaturesolar.com/bndl-dc-co...
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Amazon Affiliate Links:
6-32 1/4" screws for circuit breaker: amzn.to/3IGJVLs
Solar disconnect switch (Square D, HU361): amzn.to/4adAejb
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Ring terminals, 1/4" x 2AWG: amzn.to/49RjVJa
Temco Hydraulic crimper: amzn.to/3vkObwY
“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
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2AWG Ferrule: www.ferrulesdirect.com/collec...)
Flexible, UL wire, 2 gauge: www.wireandcableyourway.com/2...
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Disclaimer:
My videos are in no way intended to be instructional "how-to" lessons. I am simply documenting my project for informational purposes. Property damage, personal injury, or death may result, even when following manufacturer's instructions. I cannot be held liable for such damage or injury. It is YOUR OBLIGATION to ensure that you are complying with any local and federal laws as well as code and permit requirements.
David Poz, LLC

Пікірлер: 143

@patchvonbraun 2 ай бұрын

I've been an "advanced dabbler" in electronics for just over 50 years. Only started using ferrules on stranded wire ends a couple of weeks ago! Fine stranded wire into screw terminals just produced unsatisfying connections. Ferrules changed that completely.

@goodoleme 2 ай бұрын

The HVCCs (100/600) can be setup with either negative-grounded, positive-grounded, or ungrounded (floating) PV arrays. If you setup the HVCCs as negative-grounded you could have used only one solar disconnect. Code requires that all ungrounded conductors of a circuit be disconnected (opened) simultaneously. Just like in a AC 120v you don't open the neutral. But sense you have the 3 solar disconnects setup I would move the SPDs into each disconnect, pigtail them into the input side with the solar input. They will fit, this is where I put them, you want them as close to the solar as you can get, you don't want that surge in the HVCCs. Great setup, thanks for all of you vids and thanks for service!

@alandonnels7382 2 ай бұрын

If your PDP is really crowded with wires. You can take the 4 screws holding the DC breaker rail lose. Tilt the rail outwards for easier access to the breaker studs to tighten the nuts on the breakers.

@mvansumeren4313 2 ай бұрын

If I'm not mistaken, you brought the PV feeds to the disconnects then to the charge controllers. If this is the case, the bottom of the DC disconnects may be a nice place to install your Transient Voltage Surge Superssor units. Also, best practice for installing any TVSS is to make the leads connecting them as short as possible. As always, excellent job with both your videography and install. Top knotch work! Edit: spelling

@Jimmeh_B 2 ай бұрын

Tell me though, when is the system ever going to suffer a transient? You're not dealing with the grid here, it's solar. Short of a lightning strike, it's never going to see a transient, and a TVSS isn't going to help with a direct lightning strike.

@ericl5973 2 ай бұрын

The TVSS also has LED and mounts in a 1/2 knockout. It is a nice indicator to show it is energized if mounted externally after the disconnect.

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

That was my first thought, but when I bought the SPD's, I had already mounted the disconnects and ran the wires. Turns out, there isn't enough clearance to the wall to mount the SPD's. If I had known this in advance, I could have blocked out the disconnects to proved clearance. Next time.

@mvansumeren4313 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy Is it close enough to fitting that you could use something like an offset nipple, coupling, and chase nipple to make up the difference? I've used this trick in conjunction with drilling closer to the cover to make various brands fit in cramped quarters.

@user-ei3ml8jo1s 2 ай бұрын

I have 2 XW Pro (M & S) . 2 600/100 MPPT with 8s2p hanging off each one. One facing 180 and one facing 230. Spreads production over more hours in the day. 4 AES 7.4 which are plug and play for closed loop with Schneider. Regularly produce enough solar kW to get 100 amps out of each MPPT. Grid tied, NEM2 Schneider BCS 200 amp external contactor. Schneider isn’t cheap but it is bullet proof. Nice clean install David.

@kickgas7171 2 ай бұрын

Great video! And an awesome Schneider Electric, low frequency, transformer based inverters and MPPT charge controllers. Exponentially better the those low budget high frequency, transformerless, toy inverters that everyone else is pushing on KZfaq,

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Thanks

@jimpowell9205 2 ай бұрын

I thoroughly admire your setup. Just no way I can afford Snyder equipment.

@dannygorman4803 2 ай бұрын

I feel the same I live in a condo cannot even do solar : ) - but Schneider people are great. From a consumer and business perspective. However, they definitely have a premium in my opinion and this feels more like a very professional system, then again maybe just cause its Dave's.

@keithcress1335 2 ай бұрын

Nice job David! I'm enjoying seeing a build that's not another grossly over-priced for-what-you-get Victron job. When you use a contactor or disconnect for DC and it has an extra pole, you should run the extra pole in series with one of the DC legs. Typically the positive leg would be chosen. This provides double the arc breaking distance and reduces contact erosion. Since you've already paid for the third pole it's a good deal for only the cost of a single piece of wire.

@lbroome 2 ай бұрын

For a system of this size, the best inverter out there right now is the EG4 18kPV. One of them is a pretty good match this system for half the price, or two of them can provide twice the solar charge capacity and inverter output for the same price with much less complexity.

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

The EG4 18kPV is a very nice inverter. However, there are certain applications where a Schneider system is a better choice than the EG4. Likewise, there are applications where the EG4 is a better choice.

@phillipkirk1257 2 ай бұрын

All then switches remind me of ghostbuster when they turn on the power pretty cool.! Thanks, David, for showing us.

@MrButuz 2 ай бұрын

The Schneider system looks super smart when it's all bolted to the wall together fair play. I couldnt afford that so tried out the new Victron 48/6000/100 which is 6kw and comes with a 450/100 twin input MPPT's built in so an all in one system. One of them is doing great now but can add a second or third go 3 phase and each inverter comes with 7kw of solar input with zero wiring - really good!!!

@ejemm 2 ай бұрын

Great job David! We can’t wait to see the watts coming in on the Insight home from those 3 CCs!!!

@jasongphillips 2 ай бұрын

Another great video, I love them. You build systems the way I would. Sig Solar has a bundle with 2 inverters 2 Mppt a PDP and connection kit for $10,973 right now. Add one more mppt for $1,360 to get your rig So about $12,500 (plus a bunch of wire and disconnects) Spec in your setup are now what I needed for my house. It is the system that i wanted to buy:18kw of PV in (3 x 6kw), 13.6kw of AC out (2 x 6.8kw) I understand the differences and great benefits between LF vs HF inverters. Split phase LF allows for imbalanced loads where HF is really act as 2 independent inverters so you can only load one leg to half the rated capacity. LF are also way better for surge. Sig Solar has an EG4 18k that has AC out of 10.4kw and PV in of 18kw, so lower AC and same on PV. In a close ballpark for $5,200 This makes the 18k 60% cheaper. You can buy 2 and still be cheaper. Don't get me wrong, I'd take the Schneider system, any day if they were giving them away. It would be great if you could get @SignatureSolar to loan you an 18k or two, and you plugged in your system and would see if it could run. I'm guessing your chop saw load test that you did in that video a while back would do would fail (i'm still impressed by the inverter in that video). But its been a long time since you ran an unbalanced 12k HF inverter test. Time for another side by side test, or maybe you are never looking back. If you could do it, an almost, spec balanced comparison (one 18k vs your current setup) and/or an almost money balanced comparison (2 x 18k vs your setup) We will leave labor and accessory costs out of the comparison :)

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I'd love to do some heavy testing on the newer EG4 inverters. Unfortunately, last I asked SS about it, they wanted me to purchase the EG4 inverters (with some discount). So, it would still be thousands of dollars that I don't have available.

@jasongphillips 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy bummer, maybe my pointing it out will help spur them to send you a couple :)

@offgridwanabe 2 ай бұрын

Nice to have a matching system. I have been thinking of an upgrade but need more save up time lol.

@defjamsgreen 2 ай бұрын

YOU HAVE AN EXCELLENT SYSTEM .🤗SCHNEIDER IS THE WAY TO GO .👍

@RadioChief52 2 ай бұрын

I've been watching you build your setup for quite some time now David. I just ordered this same basic setup with two inverters but minus 1 of your 3 MPPT's, a few days ago. I can't wait to get started installing it. I believe the LF inverters will produce a cleaner sine wave under a wider variety of loads and power factors. In my situation, I will be placing 12 server rack batteries in 2 racks on the other side of the wall. I am planning on combining the two racks with a Victron Link distributor (for individual fusing) and then come through the wall either directly into the Schneider PDP or just below it, as that is to be determined as I trial fit the components.

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Sounds good. I wish you luck in your build.

@patrickday4206 2 ай бұрын

Drill tap combo is nice when i was an electrician many times it was just run/chewup a few screws in until it has threads 😂

@serverrackbatteryusa 2 ай бұрын

Schneider is a great brand.

@AdrianMcDaid 2 ай бұрын

Great French company.

@Sylvan_dB 2 ай бұрын

Wiring looks good to me, but I'd have to straighten up the covers and screws to even out the gaps and line up the slots. 😅

@HybridShedIraq 2 ай бұрын

Wonderful and clean work greetings from Iraq :)

@hardymichael533 2 ай бұрын

EMP shield proof good idea

@northidahodreaming5657 2 ай бұрын

As always, tremendous attention to detail....thanks

@TrackGeeks 2 ай бұрын

Very nice job David. A system that is envy worthy for sure! :)

@loucinci3922 2 ай бұрын

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing

@Miweatherspotter1 2 ай бұрын

Did you consider mounting the SPDs on the side or bottom of the disconnects? It makes for a clean look and provides a visual indicator if power is present. Makes it easy to walk by and check the spds are working correctly

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I might do that next time. The disconnects would have to be blocked out from the wall in order to provide enough clearance for the SPD. I didn't think about that when I mounted the disconnects.

@justtubing3719 2 ай бұрын

You just gained a sub , keep up the quality of your videos and in no time you will be rocking it big time !!!

@jeffsmith6208 2 ай бұрын

Nice install!

@patrickday4206 2 ай бұрын

Nice setup 👌

@ericbentsen1597 2 ай бұрын

Excellent video!

@alanblyde8502 2 ай бұрын

Nice install mate🇦🇺👌

@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369 2 ай бұрын

HOWdy D-P, ... I might have mounted my MidNite Solar SURGE-Protector on the "outside" of the Enclosure in order to VIEW the two (2) LED's that indicate the SPD is still Functioning & Operable COOP the WiSeNhEiMeR from Richmond, INDIANA ... ...

@diyEVguy 2 ай бұрын

Thanks David.

@clarencewiles963 2 ай бұрын

Thanks David 😊

@bjcouche1 Ай бұрын

Often times on these 600V AV/DC disconnect switches, the installation manual tells you that if you are using it on DC, that you must wire two of the three poles in series. This HU361 does not require this, however it does say in the foot notes of the installation manual that you have to use the two outside poles, and not two adjacent poles. Good job describing the use of ferrules because although the lugs are rated for stranded wire, they are not rated for finely stranded wire, thus requiring the use of a ferrule.

@DavidPozEnergy Ай бұрын

Thank you for such a great comment. I love when I can learn something from a viewer. I didn't know there were any guidelines on which 2 poles are used for DC. I spent months planning this video out, trying to make sure I was compliant with every spec, and still missed something. Darn!

@bjcouche1 Ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy Honestly, I learn a great deal from you as well. Your insights, and product testing and comparisons are something that can't be learned from reading a product manual. Many licensed professionals don't know that they can't use fine strand wire on certain types of terminals. It's not printed on the terminal, and not printed on the box that the terminal came in. You'd have to look up the terminal manufacturer's technical data sheet to figure out if it's rated for solid, stranded, or fine strand wire. The mere fact that you knew why you had to use a ferrule and how to explain it is impressive. I only found the requirement to use the outer poles of the disconnect because I downloaded the installation manual for it. The usage of the 2 outer poles is in fine print after an * at the bottom of a page. Excellent job as usual.

@4115steve 2 ай бұрын

Can you make a beginner video on how to buy wires? I was confused finding trying to find what cables to use with wires and cables your way website. Thanks for the videos, they're great.

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion. I understand, I was also confused when I first got into solar. Here is a link to the 2 gauge wire I bought and used in this video: www.wireandcableyourway.com/2-awg-type-mtw-ul1283-wire-665-strand I'm NOT affiliated with this company. I'm simply a customer.

@qobiljonqodirov5098 Ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergyHi David

@qobiljonqodirov5098 Ай бұрын

Mr David can you give me your WhatsApp number

@qobiljonqodirov5098 Ай бұрын

I have a topic related to green energy and I need your advice

@klarityjoe7413 2 ай бұрын

so detailed 👍👌

@bartcalder2791 2 ай бұрын

Excellent!

@SpencerLAPower 2 ай бұрын

I always put my SPD's on the disconlet on one of the knockouts.

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Thanks. I might do that next time. But, I'd have to add blocking to pull the disconnects away from the wall. As it is, the knockouts are about an inch too close for the SPD to fit.

@Just_Andrei_ 2 ай бұрын

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like there's absolutely nothing out there that can beat EG4 6000XP. It's inverter + charge controller + supplemental ac charger for batteries all in one. Why would someone use costly Schneider over EG4?

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

If we are talking about one thing "beating" another, we need to define the race. If you are asking about value, then I agree with you. The EG46000XP is a fantastic value. However, if we are talking about surge limit, line-imbalance, and duration of surge, then nothing beats the Schneider. Note: This is my opinion based on inverters I've personally tested.

@ktmrider7592 Ай бұрын

Are you going to show everything you can run on the two XW pros .

@deltapag5051 2 ай бұрын

Firstly, excellent work and enjoy how detail oriented you are. Question, can you use the same solar wire to go from the disconnects to the HV side of the MPPTs? The wire leaving the MPPTs going to the PDP is 48v power, right?

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I used off the shelf THHN wire to run from the disconnects to the charge controller. The wire is UL listed, and 600V rated. It's labeled as THHN in the store, but the reality is there are multiple classifications on the jacket and THHN is just one of them. But everyone just calls it THHN. Yes, from the charge controllers to the PDP is low-Voltage. Nominal 48VDC. My batteries max out at 58.4V, but I set my upper limit to 56.0V. Your exact settings will vary by battery manufacturer. The important thing about this wire, however, is it still needs 600V rating. The wires are inside the same wiring compartment (the bottom portion of the charge controller) so they need to be rated the same.

@deltapag5051 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy thanks for the quick reply. Can't wait to see this in action and how quickly it can charge your battery bank with 12k solar. What's your battery capacity? I have 38kwh

@RollinHomies 2 ай бұрын

Just curious, would the SPD be in place instead of a copper PE from panels?… or do you have both?

@waylonhartwell 2 ай бұрын

I have seen those lightning arrestor surge protectors installed on the bottom of disconnect switches before. Not sure if it's supposed to be that way but I was told it was so even if the switch is disconnected then the circuit still has lightning protection, but if lightning hits your system it's going to Go up and smoke anyways

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Yes, next time I might do that. When I went to try fitting the SPD onto the disconnect I found the knockouts are too close to the wall. So, you would have to pad out the disconnects with blocking in order to have enough clearance for the SPD.

@waylonhartwell 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy I think you mite just need an offset in your case, it doesn't need to be watertight but I think a simple female to male conduit offset will work

@walden_ 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for this series of videos, they are very informative. When using the MPPT chargers is there a way to tell the inverters to use that source instead of the grid? I'm hoping it can see, for example, 2kW being used by the house and 3kW coming from solar, and splitting it -- 2kW to the house and 1kW to the batteries. If it isn't that smart, maybe you can just program it in reference to SOC like in your previous video.

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I can't comment on the grid-tie aspects because I run these 100% off grid. I like to keep my comments restricted to functions I've personally tested.

@LeszekWajler Ай бұрын

Hi David, love your videos. I have a question about where the power goes after the Schneider PDP. There aren't many breakers in there so I assume you're going to a regular residential load panel from there? What is the breaker size there and what size cable are you using if you don't mind me asking? Thanks!

@DavidPozEnergy Ай бұрын

The inverters take the battery power (nominal 48VDC) and turn it into 120/240VAC. This comes out of each inverter to the upper circuit breakers, which are 60A. At the breakers there is a common electrical bar joining the hot's together, which is the "combiner" between the two inverters. After the combiner, there is one set of wires (L1, L2, N, G) that leaves the PDP and goes down, through a conduit, into the wire way, and finally into a standard 20-slot circuit breaker panel "sub-panel".

@neomatrix2722 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing I also bought the Schneider Electric 600 100 100 amp charge controller where's the link for the 600 volt wire

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

It's the last link in the description. I bought it from Wire and Cable your way. I don't have an affiliate with them. Here is the link: www.wireandcableyourway.com/2-awg-type-mtw-ul1283-wire-665-strand

@neomatrix2722 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergythank you so much David I can say for all of us that we really appreciate you

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Your welcome.

@throughmylens5127 2 ай бұрын

How many years before it breaks even and life expectancy of the equipment

@highfidelityinc 2 ай бұрын

Many thanks for your videos on Schneider equipment. They helped me greatly when I was installing my Schneider system (1 XW-PRO, 1 MPPT 100 600,. MiniPDP, and MPPT RS Disconnect). While many say Schneider is too expensive, I was willing to pay a little more for something that I thought would be bug free, hopefully a long lifespan, and could handle load surges and unbalance load. I was not disappointed - the system has been very stable and only have found a few minor bugs. I'd be curious how your set up your MPPT 100 600s. While I am happy with the Schneider equipment, I found the documentation on setting the configuration somewhat lacking. The holes the MPPT 100 600 may line up with the PDP, but I found they do not line up with the miniPDP nor the MPPT RS disconnect. Do you have any type of Rapid Shutdown? While not required for ground mounts (which I have), I wanted something where the fire department could shut down the Inverter power for their safety and so they don't just instead let the house burn down. Those Schneider DC disconnects look very expensive. But after following your link, I was surprised to see they were only $100 each. For me, the MPPT RS Disconnect accomplish the same task. But if I add more solar, they look like a good option.

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Setting up the MPPT's: I didn't look into the documentation. I programmed the charge controllers Voltage settings that work with my batteries. IDK, I found it easy. But, maybe that's because I struggled through programming the Generator setup, and the parallel inverters. So I guess I got through the learning curve with the insight home already. No, I don't have rapid shutdown. I also have ground mounts. I'm required (and did) put labels at the meter base stating there are more than one energy sources on the property.

@highfidelityinc 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy What I am referring to with the MPPT 100 600 is if you have BMS monitoring engaged in the XW-PRO, it seems overrides override any battery settings you making in the MPPT 100 600, while the firmware notes seems to state the MPPT 100 600 does not use use the BMS. So if you want to modify the absorb time for top balancing or use a slightly different float or bulk voltage, you cannot with BMS enabled. What I figured out is as soon as all the batteries go to standby because they hit 100% state of charge, the charge controller immediately goes to the BMS float voltage regardless of the settings I make. Not a big deal as the way it is working, it is keeping my batteries balanced. It just took me a while to figure out what was exactly happening. My system is a little different the yours as I also have an existing grid tie system that also charges the batteries and helps supply power to the loads. I might note that with AC coupling alone, you cannot charge to 100% as once the batteries stop accepting a charge, there would be no where to dump the excessive grid inverter power. So Schneider wisely cuts off the grid tie system before reaching 100% SOC (the default is 90% when it start raising the line frequency). Before I got the new panels installed with the MPPT 100 600, I constantly had issues with the batteries getting out of balance where the SOC would vary as much as 25% from battery to battery. It all make sense now but it would have been nice to have a little documentation on how the whole process works.

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

You are correct. If you have closed-loop communication with a battery BMS then the BMS tells the Schneider what to do. There is no way to override this. I tested this with the EG4 rack, and then again with the Discover Batteries. Right now, I'm running my DIY batteries and I'm not using closed-loop.

@highfidelityinc 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy Thanks for confirming my conclusions. I was wondering if you were using BMS close loop configuration. Since you have different type of batteries, I thought it was unlikely that they all had the same battery communications.

@cowboy898 2 ай бұрын

Can I ask what model pv shutoff you are using outside?

@luiscastillo861 Ай бұрын

Hi David, have you tried the Pytes V5 batteries? I am curious to know the performance and your thoghts about them

@DavidPozEnergy Ай бұрын

I have not tested any Pytes brand products. I like to restrict my opinions to products I've had hands-on experience with.

@sialwaysfreedom 16 күн бұрын

Is there any way I can ask you a few questions? I set up a Chevy volt battery to a Trace sw5548. Just need help with bulk, float, minimum set points.

@jguilbault57 2 ай бұрын

Hey David, for some reason I recall you're up in Canada. If you are, I was wondering if you could share links to Canadian Suppliers you use. Thanks for all the great videos :)

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I'm in northern USA. Sorry, I don't know which suppliers are good for Canadian customers.

@user-um5lx8wl9y 2 ай бұрын

Can you add a link for the square ferrule crimper? Thanks!!!

@user-um5lx8wl9y 2 ай бұрын

Dave- I have been to Menard's, Lowe's, etc. and cannot find a 1 1/4 inch chase nipple. Do you have a link where you got yours? What length did you get for your ferrules? It just takes me to the ferrule page but there are several lengths. Sorry to be asking for my hand held. Female trying to learn...

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I bought mine at a local electrical supply house. If you don't know of one where you live, type into google "electrical supply near me". Typically it's the type of place only electricians go to. Tip: If you don't know what you want then find out before going. The guys behind the counter don't want to deal with questions. LOL The ferrules I bought are 16mm in length, which is the minimum. 18mm would also work just fine.

@user-um5lx8wl9y 2 ай бұрын

You are the best. Thanks for answering.@@DavidPozEnergy

@jamesbertok2265 2 ай бұрын

Have you run into Xanbus bandwidth problems with everything on the same comms network? I've got 2 XW Pros and 4 MPPTs and ended up having to put the MPPTs on the second Xanbus of Insight Facility. It's been a while, but I recall troubleshooting that issue for a whole day before finding that solution.

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I have not had problems with the Xanbus network. I recall one of the webinars stating the limit is 6 items per Xanbus. Schneider recommends when you have 7 or more items, you move up to the Insight Facility. I'm probably just under the limit right now.

@user-ei3ml8jo1s 2 ай бұрын

I have 2 XWPro, 2 600/100 MPPT, 4 AES 7.4 and the BCS all on one Xanbus with the Insight Facility. No issues. @@DavidPozEnergy

@coryr6359 2 ай бұрын

I have a challenge for you: I'm sure you've heard of thermal sand batteries by now, and i cant think of a better person to take on a DIY thermal sand battery project than YOU.. You could lay the groundwork for other diyers to heat their homes more efficiently! Essentially, you will dump your excess daytime solar energy into a DIY thermal sand battery via resistive elements.. The system would roughly consist of a vessel filled with sand, and would contain resistive heating elements, as well closed loop air ducts that will allow for the transfer of air in and out of the thermal battery... 3" or 4" iron, or SS pipes spiraling within the vessel might work for heating and moving the air in and out.. some kind of external heat exchanger would probably be necessary for safety, as the goal is to get the sand up to as much as 600degreesC.. I'm just visualizing this in my head, I'm sure you could come up with a better design.. im just painting a picture. My initial thought was that you could use glycol filled lines inside the battery for heat transfer.. however these temperatures are much too hot, and much too dangerous for the use of liquids. even if you used a boiler design, and kept the temps down.. it could get explosive very fast.. so it might be best to avoid liquids. Ideally everything about this system will be dry. Dry sand. dry air. Anyways! I realize you probably wont have interest in doing this, but i thought I'd write a lengthy comment about it anyways! I love ALL of your content, and i especially appreciate the DIY element of your channel.

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for your comment. A few people have asked me about sand batteries. The difficulty is in distribution of the heat. If the sand is inside your thermal envelope, then perhaps you don't need any distribution. However, if you want to use the heat for pre-heating DHW (domestic hot water) then a heat exchanger would be needed. My current thermal battery is 250 gallons of water, in a tank I built under my house. I find hot water easy, but I'll continue thinking through the sand battery.

@coryr6359 2 ай бұрын

Right on. maybe ill look at a water based solution as well. I do like the energy density/headroom that sand or carbon based batteries offer. the water tank has other advantages, though, such as water storage amid global record drought.. Im going to go look for your video on water based thermal battery 👍 @@DavidPozEnergy

@brianhaney3613 2 ай бұрын

What battery,s you using now,,

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I'm using 2 discover batteries, one rack of EG4, and some DIY batteries from 280Ah cells. I have individual videos on each battery.

@neemaborji9993 2 ай бұрын

Why can you not use welding wire?

@Patrick.Eckert 2 ай бұрын

Voltage rating of insulation

@offgridmgtowhomestead2520 2 ай бұрын

UL listing. Welding cable generally isn't UL listed, and if it is, it is a UL listing for momentary current capacity, not sustained

@billb48843 2 ай бұрын

Usually, it's a voltage rating. WW is rated for high abrasion (draging on concrete, gravel, over steel edges) most welding is done at less than 50-80 volt open circuit. And, while the WW has plenty of flex, the insulation thickness is detremental to the installation. (again the rough service)

@mikeg2321 2 ай бұрын

Way didn't you go high voltage instead of spending all that money and wiring .And what size furnace you are running?my furnace pulls 15000 watts .18000 watt surge .

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I don't have a furnace in my home. I have an electric baseboard heater that pulls about 2200 Watts.

@mikeg2321 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergythanks for the reply.Nice job !

@simon359 2 ай бұрын

You have three 600 VC charge controllers, how many kilowatts of solar do you have?

@martijnheeroma5492 2 ай бұрын

14 panels is below 600 V, two strings parallel (20A) gives 28 panels each charger, times 3 gives 84 panels times 400W, approx 33 kW max

@Patrick.Eckert 2 ай бұрын

I believe 12kw is the number he has

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Right now, I have about 12kW, but plan to add more in the future.

@simon359 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy I only have about 9 kW and live in the Pacific Northwest. Although I have two refrigerators running off two different systems, and the 3rd or main system is around 6.2 kW.

@pascalouellette8516 2 ай бұрын

How much does all this cost and will you ever come close to recouping your money???

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I have links to the parts in the description if you want to look up the cost of individual components. I think all the Schneider equipment on the wall is about $12,000. For me, I didn't enter into this thinking about ROI (return on investment). I wanted emergency preparedness, and the ability to prove making an net-zero, AND off grid, house is possible. I'll provide some rough numbers for the fun calculating it. My house is 100% electric, and we consume about 10,000kWh/yr. Our electric rate is $0.36/kWh = $3,600/yr in electricity this system off-sets. 3.3 years to pay-off the Schneider equipment. But I also have batteries and solar panels that will double the time frame.

@pascalouellette8516 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergythanks for the detailed response, we only pay about $0.13/kwh so our pay off is much closer or over 10 years and closer to the degrading age of the batteries and panel...I appreciate the feedback

@joelcawthon1365 2 ай бұрын

I would much rather have 2 or 3 smaller systems than 1 giant system, for many reasons, I don’t know why people insist on cramming everything into one giant system - that is a nice, well done system though, great job !

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Everyone's situation is going to be different. For me, I'm working with an existing home, with existing wiring. I decided to build a system that could power my whole house, as it sits. If I wanted to make multiple smaller systems, then I'd have to install separate circuits for each thing.

@JandrisSharr Ай бұрын

hello,how do I contact u ?

@tomstdenis 2 ай бұрын

While I appreciate your design is likely robust and safe using "UL listed" components isn't in and of itself enough. For an installation to be allowed it has to either be wholly made out of a previously certified design (e.g. the assembly was previously tested as a whole and then reproduced) used in the prescribed manner, etc ... *OR* you need a specific site inspection where your design is thoroughly audited and approved. I say this because people might get in mind that just using UL parts is enough to indemnify them from liability (civil or otherwise). It's not.

@ForestFelvey 2 ай бұрын

THIS is why all-in-one units exist - myriad connections, points of failure and sources for mistakes. What a mess. Fantastic inverters though. Maybe worth it.

@Sylvan_dB 2 ай бұрын

Yes, and you really should use a torque wrench on those connections, and retorque them on a schedule (in high current industrial applications maybe something like 30 days or 90 days, again at 6 months, and then annually on each inspection). The more connections, the more likely something is missed during install or on inspection until/unless it causes an obvious problem - usually high temperature leading to burnt insulation and connections.

@eDoc2020 2 ай бұрын

Many vendors sell these units prewired. Ease of installation would be the same as an all-in-one unit but you also get the increased modularity / fault resilience of having them separate.

@johnturner7060 2 ай бұрын

You have come a long way from your growatt 5000 ES! I hear you repeating UL. Have you become more cautious over time??

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Yes. Over the years I've bought things from Amazon or Aliexpress that simply didn't hold up. (sometimes failed immediately) I've grown to appreciate that (generally) something UL Listed is better built than something not.

@jingyu447 Ай бұрын

David, I'm the CEO of Fortress Power. We have a few new battery products, I want to ask if you would be interested to review the products?

@jingyu447 Ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy, got it. You can take it done. I'll email you shortly

@struc5810 2 ай бұрын

Use a knock out on the disconnect switches to mount the SPDs

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Next time I'll block out the disconnects to provide enough clearance to do that.

@ipstacks11 2 ай бұрын

Strip the stranded wire, put a small zip tie around the strands and “zip it” then put a little solder on the end, take off the zip tie and put it in the ferret thing.

@eDoc2020 2 ай бұрын

Do NOT crimp soldered wires. Upon further thought you're probably talking about tinning only the very tip of the wire so it's easier to slide in the ferrule. That can be safe if you strip extra and carefully remove the soldered end _before_ performing the crimp.

@davidwilson2462 2 ай бұрын

If goal is to be off -grid, why be concerned about passing electrical inspection?

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

Still required where I live, but your jurisdiction may be different.

@averageguy1776 2 ай бұрын

I've been watching your video since the beginning... Love your videos, but.... you've gone from showing equipment that all of us can get and install... sort of a DIY type stuff... to installing stuff that pretty much no one watching your channel can afford.... While I do like to watch the stuff... I fear you are alienating your audience.....I'd really like to see you going back to the roots of your channel. I see this with a lot of the channels I watch. They start getting bigger, and the manufactures start sending them better equipment and then you are sort of no longer a DIY type channel (at least for us poor people :) )

@notathome13 2 ай бұрын

He seems to have sold out to whoever pays or provides the most….. surprised if he is not flogging testla next!

@nicholasgrammatico403 27 күн бұрын

I am blue collar working class and installing 2 xw pros d/c coupled with 32 panel ground array, thanx to your videos and information. So disregard these comments

@moto-rambler 2 ай бұрын

David, you lost me at the 45-second mark with "300 amps." Since I like many of your other videos, I'll refrain from criticizing, but will state the obvious: **this setup will not age very well**. I would advise anyone inspired by David's setup to carefully think things out and explore other options. Apologies in advance if an explanation for this design was offered later in the video because, as mentioned, I stopped watching at 45 seconds.

@lbroome 2 ай бұрын

Hey, it was a great system 10 years ago. It will age just fine until some vendor pays him to push some other old stock they need to move.

@brianhaney3613 2 ай бұрын

You change so much,,but no video on that

@chuxxsss 2 ай бұрын

Morning David.

@shephusted2714 2 ай бұрын

you should install a heat pump in lieu of electric heat - much more efficient and you get ac too plus humidity control, think about pos pressure hepa connected to a heat exchanger too - heat exchangers can be 90% efficient which means you get good recirc w/o losing heat or cooling - you are gooking with gas now - informative video

@DavidPozEnergy 2 ай бұрын

I installed a heat pump in my garage: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gcpgbJWS0dHJkXk.htmlsi=XunbpD200PEdOUNy Also, I built my house. It's super-insulated and air-tight. I have an HRV (heat recovery ventilator) in my house: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bd-KfcyGuqzem2Q.htmlsi=D1a2BwnBCT44AbS_

@eDoc2020 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy You said you only have a 2.2kW resistance heater (7500 Btu/hr) which is honestly amazing. But a heat pump would still be better. The best 9k mini-splits are rated 15 HSPF which would theoretically save you 1700 watts.