OutBack HBX mode [RE-wrenches]

[Christopher Freitas - OutBack Power]

Darryl Thayer wrote:
> I like this idea, but I am a little slow, so please
> make sure I understand. 
> 1) The Outbacks power a subpanel.  
> 2) The batteries power the Outbacks. 
> 3) The wind machine powers the batteries.  
> 4) The grid also powers the batteries by using the
> Outback charger capability.  

The utility grid does not have to be used to recharge the battery with 
the OutBack inverters - the charger can be turned off separately from 
the inverter and the AC transfer switch (I usually advise not using it). 
 When the battery gets low, the inverter will automatically transfer the 
AC loads to the utility and then let the PV and/or wind recharge the 
battery. Once it is recharged the system then automatically goes 
"off-grid".  This is what we call the "HBX" mode - it is similar to the 
SW's LBX mode except our charger can be turned off and you have better 
control of when it transfer to/from the utility grid (adjustable dc 
volts & time delay - verses - just dc volts w/fixed short time delay).  
 
> Do the electrical inspectors have trouble with this? 

Not that I have ever seen.  They usually want some kind of marking by 
the KWH meter to indicate that a back-up power system has been 
installed.
 
> As long as most of the power is from alternatives it
> seems to be a good idea. If the alternative sources
> are small the battery efficiency will eat up the
> savings.  

True - although if the loads being powered where small and the battery 
was small, then its not any worse - it all goes in proportion to the 
size of the system and loads.  

We also allow manual control of the system in addition to the automatic 
operation - so if the homeowner is concerned that the system be fully 
charged before a storm for instance they can simply hit a couple of 
dedicated "HOT" keys on the MATE display and it will connect to the grid 
and recharge the batteries.  This manual intervention does not disable 
the automatic operation either so the system keeps operating as 
originally once the battery is full. The opposite also can be done - 
such as forcing the system to drop the grid even though the battery is 
not yet fully recharged - and is great for demos to impress the 
neighbors.  

Christopher Freitas
OutBack Power Systems, Inc.
cfreitas at outbackpower.com  www.outbackpower.com
Tel 360 435 6030  Arlington WA USA

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