OB PS1 meter wiring [RE-wrenches]

[Mick Abraham]

Glenn Burt wrote:

> I am installing my first Outback PS1 system. the manual tells me 
> that for the best metering I should install 2 seperate watt-hour meters 
> on the unit. One in the AC in, and one in the AC out circuits.

Mick says: Since the PS-1 supports (downstream) AC loads and also can 
spin the (upstream) utility meter backwards, the AC energy is delivered 
in two paths. Therefore two kWh meters would be needed if you want to 
track total AC delivered by the system over time. 

The meter for "AC In" on a grid-tied Outback machine actually must read 
energy moving both ways. A non-fancy glass dome type kWh meter  can 
measure both ways, and is relatively low cost.  Non-standard wiring 
hookup allows a 120/240 meter to work on only a 120 volt circuit. Here's 
a wiring diagram, Glenn: 
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/eofcorp-store/240V.pdf

For the AC IN meter, consider connecting the PS-1 Hot as if that is your 
LINE, and connect the grid Hot as if that is your LOAD. This way, the 
upstream meter should clock sold kWh as positive integers.    

To calculate monthly kWh delivered by the system, here's the math: (IN 
Meter Now - IN Meter Last Month) + (OUT Meter Now - OUT Meter Last 
Month)= total AC kWh delivered for that month. Since the glass dome 
meters are not resettable, that requires more math & record keeping than 
ideal. 

The Brand Electronics 20-CTR meters are resettable with a pushbutton and 
are non-confusing to use, but these can't read backwards & forwards. 
Brand's "One Meter" is worth a look but I've never tried this. 

I'd like to know Wrench opinions on the One Meter or on other resettable 
electronic meters that can read backwards & forwards.

Mick Abraham
Abraham Solar Equipment
Pagosa Springs, CO
www.abrahamsolar.com


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