net metered system question [RE-wrenches]

[sunwise at cheqnet.net]

Bill Brooks wrote:
> 
> On grid-connected systems I don't believe in going to Bulk. Since they can
> absorb for an indefinite period, it's not necessary to go through that
> process. After an outage at night, the inverter simply returns the system to
> float voltage. It will take longer to go through absorbtion, but it does
> away with the problem of the unit not dispatching to the grid during Bulk
> charge. Since the timer is set to 0:00, it doesn't matter what you set it
> to. I usually set it to 54 Volts like the float.

Hey Bill,

I want to respectfully disagree with you hear.  I don't know if this
issue has been responded to, as I hven't been able to work my way
through all my email (and some well go unread).  I have read a number of
posts essentially saying that the efficiency of an SW can be improved by
changing a number of default settings under the battery charging menue. 
I believe doing away with the bulk charge and absorbtion could greatly
impact battery life.  Althought the Trace will not initiate a charge
cycle after an overnight period of darkness (not sure what you ment by
overnight outage), it will initate a charge cycle after any power loss
to AC1 (utility down or cycle power at the breaker).  If there is a
power outage, and some of the battery is consumed, I believe simply
bringing voltage back up to a float setting is inadequate.  I have even
told some clients with a grid tied SW to cycle power to the inverter
(turn AC1 breaker off for ten seconds) every time they change the angle
on their seasonally adjustable array.  Gives the battery a nice shot.  

The bigger issue with the SW is the silent sell.  There is no easy
answer to the battery baby-sitting SW -- Kurt Nelson

- - - - - - -
To send a message:
 RE-wrenches at topica.com

The archive of previous messages: 
 http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette:
 http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

To unsubscribe send a message to: 
 RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
 www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine: 
 www.homepower.com

For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com

____________________________________________________________
T O P I C A  -- Learn More. Surf Less. 
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose.
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01