Remember, 30KW Onan will shake the block up when you fire it up...gotta hope the neighbors love 'ya or they will flip when they hear that running for days on end.

I do hear you on the whole central A/C issue. I'm going to solve it an alternate way. Going to dedicate a 7500W generator to power the house, sans A/C, with automatic capabilities (keeps the lights on, the garage doors working, the servers running for my clients, etc.) Then come up with a manual switch and a second generator that'll power up just the A/C condenser, along with remote start capabilities tied into the HVAC. Being a guy with an EE degree I can come up with some pretty sweet ideas.

 

FYI, if anyone else is looking to do the whole DIY/Roll-Your-Own stuff, go look into an APC UTS10BI unit. It'll do some pretty fancy shit for a not too bad a price.

I do hear you on the whole central A/C issue. I'm going to solve it an alternate way. Going to dedicate a 7500W generator to power the house, sans A/C, with automatic capabilities (keeps the lights on, the garage doors working, the servers running for my clients, etc.) Then come up with a manual switch and a second generator that'll power up just the A/C condenser, along with remote start capabilities tied into the HVAC. Being a guy with an EE degree I can come up with some pretty sweet ideas.

 

FYI, if anyone else is looking to do the whole DIY/Roll-Your-Own stuff, go look into an APC UTS10BI unit. It'll do some pretty fancy shit for a not too bad a price.

That's easy.

Inline from panel to ac disconnect switch. House- off- aux.

I have one in me basement waiting for a use. Thinking solar, battery inverter.

That's easy.

Inline from panel to ac disconnect switch. House- off- aux.

I have one in me basement waiting for a use. Thinking solar, battery inverter.

 

Solar has been crossing my mind for some time now, I'm not sure I would do a solar setup in NJ but when I move I might look into it. The 30KW Onan is great but fuel isn't cheap and a Solar setup takes care of two issues:

 

-Lack of fuel in a storm/disaster

-Cost of fuel before and or after a disaster

 

I've said to people in the past that if you can't afford even a cheap HF generator, get yourself a good inverter and use a pickup/suv just don't keep the engine running without a load for too long but this can power a few fans, charge laptops, phones, etc.

Just read an article today. It states since the government subsidy has expired, new solar installs have dropped tremendously to new low levels.  The ROI is so low/long that other alternatives in energy conservation are taking over.  More use of LEDs and the like.  Interesting twist. 

I've been contemplating solar for a while, but I've decided I don't want some "company" to do it. I'm going to roll my own, specifically from these guys...

https://www.renogy-store.com/category-s/1871.htm

I can put up a 40A capable system and back feed it into the panel and still be to code (20% of rated panel max.) The only down side to it being on-grid is it drops if the mains go down, but I'm working on how to bring it back up in an emergency.

 

First though, I need a new roof on the house.

Solar Shingles from Dow Chemicals is another option.

Those are still too "new" in my book, and aren't really DIY friendly to install and maintain.

I'm all for them being developed and deployed though.

Just read an article today. It states since the government subsidy has expired, new solar installs have dropped tremendously to new low levels. The ROI is so low/long that other alternatives in energy conservation are taking over. More use of LEDs and the like. Interesting twist.

I hear ya. The subsidies, and also the SREC market has been saturated.

 

Still like the idea of helping the world out.

I've been contemplating solar for a while, but I've decided I don't want some "company" to do it. I'm going to roll my own, specifically from these guys...

https://www.renogy-store.com/category-s/1871.htm

I can put up a 40A capable system and back feed it into the panel and still be to code (20% of rated panel max.) The only down side to it being on-grid is it drops if the mains go down, but I'm working on how to bring it back up in an emergency.

 

First though, I need a new roof on the house.

That is the downfall with enphase set up. The up side is each panel acts separate for higher efficiency.

 

There is a way to trick them, I was talking to the guys at battery plus about it. Jus touched on it briefly.

Solar Shingles from Dow Chemicals is another option.

I have not heard good things about these. A lot of bugs need to be worked out.

I hear ya. The subsidies, and also the SREC market has been saturated.

 

Still like the idea of helping the world out.

I commend your intentions, but the rest of the world does not give a sh$t about you saving the planet.  China leads the list as taking care of themselves first, worry about the planet last.

I commend your intentions, but the rest of the world does not give a sh$t about you saving the planet. China leads the list as taking care of themselves first, worry about the planet last.

I'm not china, and if it jumped of a bridge I would not follow.

I'm not china, and if it jumped of a bridge I would not follow.

 

Smart man,

 

Do you buy American to build American?

As much as possible.

Sota, did you confer with you electricity provider?

You are gonna need a new meter that, um, goes both ways....

As much as possible.

 

:D

That is the downfall with enphase set up. The up side is each panel acts separate for higher efficiency.

 

There is a way to trick them, I was talking to the guys at battery plus about it. Jus touched on it briefly.

would like to hear how you or they solve the problem of bringing them up when the mains are down. I have my ideas (ex: 240v APC UPS with its output providing the "signal" to trick the enphase units to come on-line, backfeeding from the generator as "signal") but would love to hear how others are thinking of doing it.

Sota, did you confer with you electricity provider?

You are gonna need a new meter that, um, goes both ways....

actually, no. technically any meter will go both ways, but my goal is only to offset my daytime usage with solar as much as possible.

actually, no. technically any meter will go both ways, but my goal is only to offset my daytime usage with solar as much as possible.

 

Nice idea by offsetting the daytime usage with solar as much as possible

would like to hear how you or they solve the problem of bringing them up when the mains are down. I have my ideas (ex: 240v APC UPS with its output providing the "signal" to trick the enphase units to come on-line, backfeeding from the generator as "signal") but would love to hear how others are thinking of doing it.

 

Interesting, never thought of running a setup like that. If you get it online and running keep us posted

actually, no. technically any meter will go both ways, but my goal is only to offset my daytime usage with solar as much as possible.

Are you sure about that? I was told by my electrical subcontractor I need a dif meter. I looked some things up with my provider, it's a lot of red tape. Especially, if you produce more than you use.( they have to pay you for that).....

would like to hear how you or they solve the problem of bringing them up when the mains are down. I have my ideas (ex: 240v APC UPS with its output providing the "signal" to trick the enphase units to come on-line, backfeeding from the generator as "signal") but would love to hear how others are thinking of doing it.

My thought were to battery backup via ac, then interlock or that switch( pole- off- inverter) before the main. I'm a builder/ carpenter, but I know enough to get me in trouble as my sub says.

Batteries plus didn't elaborate, I was pressed for time. Good guys by me, they get into this stuff.