net metered system question [RE-wrenches]

[Bill Brooks]

Incidentally, the 1.5 to 2 amps that you see on the charging circuit is very
low power factor (maybe 30-40 Watts). Unless you have high line losses, the
utility is giving you that power for almost free (make sure you don't tell
them, they'll want to charge you for it). It is certainly not insignificant,
but not as bad as 200 Watts as some might be led to believe.

Incidentally again, the Sun-Tie does the very same thing without any battery
connected to it--interesting indeed (and thanks again to the utility). I
would categorize this as an excessive tare loss for a grid-tied inverter and
something that should be solved.

Bill.


-----Original Message-----
From: R. Sparks Scott [mailto:sharkey at mrsharkey.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2001 8:53 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: net metered system question [RE-wrenches]


>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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 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