inverter with dual (battery and utility) inputs? - Page 3

 

http://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?pid 1
"Preference is given to the solar panels and batteries as sources of  
power and in the eventuality that these are inadequate; the load is  
transferred to the utility power supply."

(Amazon.com product link shortened)

 

Exactly, pretty much, what I was looking for.

Thanks

--  
_____________________________________________________
Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key
             dannyb@panix.com  
[to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]

 
I can do the same thing with my computer UPS at much lower cost by  
watching the cheap backlighted digital meters I added to show battery  
voltage, and plugging into the wall when they drop too far. A Harbor  
Freight "45W" kit keeps the batteries topped up, independently of the  
UPS.

 On Fri, 24 Jul 2015 14:24:43 -0400, "Jim Wilkins"


There are much cheaper sources than HF.  I got two 12 volt 100 watt
panels from Sun Electronics for $
00 and change each, including
shipping from Miami.  These panels have a 20 year warranty.

You have to be on their mailing list to see what they have the best
deal on each week, but it's easy to delete the ones of no interest.

Ramsond has a 12 volt, 10 amp charge controller for abiout $
0 (free
shipping).  

With some careful shopping, you can get a 100 watt solar panel and a
decent charge controller for $
20.  That's twice the power for less
than the HF 45 watt system on sale.

 
Have you measured the actual current from the panels into a 12V  
battery?

I buy from HF because they have a retail store nearby where I can  
return things too defective for me to repair. The solar kit was deeply  
discounted for damage that didn't matter to me.

If I decide to expand I'll look elsewhere for more powerful panels,  
but HF's neatly packaged one is easy to move around to measure the  
results from various locations. My lot is heavily shaded by large  
trees and there's no ideal place for panels, including on the roof. To  
maximize current collection during a summer power outage I'd have to  
move them four times a day. Winter isn't as bad without the leaves.

I prefer my home-made charge controller with voltage and current  
meters and a maximum voltage pot I can lower to control hydrogen  
generation indoors or raise to periodically equalize and desulfate the  
cells outdoors. The HF kit doesn't really get into the hydrogen range  
anyway, but it won't equalize an older flooded battery.

Gotta go solve a neighbor's battery problem.

-jsw