[RE-wrenches] Off-grid 1nverter replacement for 3 HP

Mon Oct 15 08:59:55 PDT 2012

I've run a 3 HP well pump off a pair of Outbacks, but make sure you have 
plenty of battery behind it.  We had shut downs from low voltage, when 
the batteries were at 50% charge from the starting surge.
My experience with Magnum has been good, and they have even more surge 
current than the Outbacks.
Yet another thing to consider is changing the load.  That saw might work 
just fine with a 2 Hp motor.

Ray

On 10/14/2012 6:54 AM, dan at foxfire-energy.com wrote:
> I like Outback because I can rebuild them on the wall. I'd be eying 
> two VFX3648 (Or VFX7248 is what they used to call them).I suspect 
> Magnum is similar, but I really haven't seen that many around. As for 
> starting motor loads, NEC article 430 has gobs of info on projecting 
> starting currents and sizing conductors (Check out the tables toward 
> the end of the article). Keep in mind much has to do with conductors 
> sizing.I'd be shooting for a max loss of 3% at full current draw.. 
> especially in the low voltage conductors.As for installation, I like 
> set ups where the inverters are inclosed in a closet and set up so 
> that the main fresh inlet air to the building washes thru the closet 
> (Powered by gravity - no fans). Good luck. db
>
>
> Dan Brown
> Foxfire Energy Corp.
> Renewable Energy Systems
> (802)-483-2564
> www.Foxfire-Energy.com <http://www.Foxfire-Energy.com>
> NABCEP #092907-44
>
>
>     -------- Original Message --------
>     Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Off-grid 1nverter replacement for 3 HP
>     From: "bob ellison" <reellison at gmail.com <mailto:reellison at gmail.com>>
>     Date: Sat, October 13, 2012 7:01 pm
>     To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>     <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>>
>
>     I have had inverters ruined by drywall dust, it literally filled
>     them within a couple years as the owner worked on his house. Next
>     thing I am getting a call that it would not work....
>     I doubt that sawdust would be any different.
>     Later,
>     Bob Ellison
>     *From:*re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>     <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>     [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of
>     *jay peltz
>     *Sent:* Saturday, October 13, 2012 5:28 PM
>     *To:* RE-wrenches
>     *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Off-grid 1nverter replacement for 3 HP
>     HI Hilton,
>     Before you go anywhere you need to know what the draw on this
>     motor is.
>     I've seen 3 hp motors not be able to start on a 15kw genny.
>     Why?  Just horrible motors thats all.
>     jay
>     peltz power
>     On Oct 13, 2012, at 11:16 AM, Hilton Dier III wrote:
>
>
>     I have an off-grid client who is having trouble with his aging
>     Xantrex SW4024 inverter and is considering an upgrade. I need some
>     advice.
>
>     One of his problems with his present system is that he can't run
>     his 3 HP 240VAC table saw on the 4024. He'd be content to run his
>     generator for any long sessions of sawing, but he'd like the
>     capability to do a cut or two without firing it up.
>
>     I was thinking about stacking a couple of Outbacks. I'd like to
>     know people's real-world experiences with the relationship between
>     motor HP, rated inverter watts, and surge watts. How much wattage
>     does he need to actually do the job? That is, without flailing the
>     inverter(s) into a shortened life span.
>
>     Also, how do Outbacks compare with Magnums or whatever? I have
>     been using Outbacks for a while with good results, but I have been
>     hearing murmurs and grumbling since they were bought out. I
>     haven't used Xantrex/Schneider for a while and I have no
>     experience with Magnums. I notice that the Magnums offer split
>     phase 240.
>
>     I should note that he has his inverter setup in his wood shop. I
>     am theorizing that some of his inverter trouble could be from a
>     tree's worth of sawdust in the case. He presently has a 24V
>     system, but he is considering a battery replacement, which would
>     be an opportunity to switch to 48V if necessary. The sawdust issue
>     makes me lean towards the sealed Outbacks, but he does have a
>     partially finished box for the inverter with filters and a fan.
>
>     Opinions?
>
>     Many thanks.
>
>     Hilton
>
>     -- 
>
>     Hilton Dier III
>
>     Renewable Energy Design
>
>     Partner, Solar Gain LLC
>
>     453 East Hill Rd.
>
>     Middlesex, VT 05602
>
>     Tel: 802-223-6652
>
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