net metered system question [RE-wrenches]

[R. Sparks Scott]

>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'd have to agree with this, eliminating the bulk cycle will result in
such a tiny increase in efficiency, that it's not worth risking the
battery's health. The real waste of power is overnight, when the charger is
activated, and the AC side of the inverter draws significant power to
produce a trickle charge of something like, oh, 1½ amps to float the battery.
	I don't really see much difference between bulk and float in current going
back into the grid. Since my bank is floating most all of the time, and I
need only to make up 10-15 Ah from overnight consumption while the SW is
off grid, I have my absorption time set to 20 minutes. The batteries reach
15+ volts for 90 seconds while the Trace syncs up to the gird when I
reconnect in the morning, so I get a mini-EQ every day.
	The only way to improve SW efficiency until the silent sell is a reality
is to pull the plug overnight.

	-S

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